Looking for step drill bits brand advice

[TomB19]

I need a step drill to drill a hole in a sink flange for a fresh water faucet. It's a bit of a rush job.

I've only used Irwin and generic Chinese bits, over the years. None of my step bits is large enough.

I've found Klein, Milwaukee, and Makita locally. All will drill big enough. They are a lot of money, particularly the Klein.

I'm guessing the Klein is worth it. The Milwaukee is cheapest and it will probably get the job done (1/2 the price of the Klein). Any opinions?

 

[rsanter]

do you have a knockout set or know of one you can borrow?
how much is the drill bit verses how much is a single knockout?

how about a holesaw?

bob

 

[PBCampbell]

You may want to specify the material that the sink is made of as that could impact the choice of tooling.

 

[TomB19]

The sink is stainless.

I don't have any knock-outs.

 

[Trey T]

I was looking into Milwaukee recently and reviews on HD and Amazon were great and they're made in USA.

 

[PBCampbell]

Harbor Freight nearby? I've read plenty of good reviews here on their Step drills and since this is a one off project those should be good enough.

 

[Stuey]

I was looking into Milwaukee recently and reviews on HD and Amazon were great and they're made in USA.

Make sure they're the double fluted version - http://toolguyd.com/milwaukee-step-drill-bits/

I don't know if the older ones were USA made.

 

[jakemac]

I used one of the HF ones when I put a new sink in my kitchen. I figured that they were cheap enough to ruin, rather than risking my Irwin, but it did the job and then was fine for drilling holes in 1/4" mild steel. They haven't burned out yet and are still in use.

 

[619DioFan]

I have the HF warrior step drill bits. don't use them everyday but they have always done the job when needed. couldn't beat the price.

 

[Richard Cranium]

I have used the harbor freight step bits and they have done every thing that I have asked of them...

 

[TomB19]

Harbor Freight nearby? I've read plenty of good reviews here on their Step drills and since this is a one off project those should be good enough.

Thanks.

I wish I was close to HF but I'm in Canada. I ended up going with the Milwaukee bit and it cut very well. I'm not sure it cut 65 dollars well, though. I'd say better than my Irwin Unibit and tons better than generic step bits I have from Princess Auto.

Oh well. It's only money. lol!

 

[Ainsley]

Heard really good things about Lenox, which i think lowes carries. I've always had good luck with greenlee and Klein step bits.

 

[Sask dude]

Thanks.

I wish I was close to HF but I'm in Canada. I ended up going with the Milwaukee bit and it cut very well. I'm not sure it cut 65 dollars well, though. I'd say better than my Irwin Unibit and tons better than generic step bits I have from Princess Auto.

Oh well. It's only money. lol!

Hey tom I'm just a little north near Saskatoon, I use the Milwaukee ones frequently, they are worth the $. And they last a long time, even on stainless

 

[Jamie V]

I like the Irwin ones as well but they switched the shank on the 1/2" one so now it doesn't lock into an impact gun anymore so I'm going to have to find a new favorite one.

Shank use to look like this
http://www.use-enco.com/ProductImages/0656061I-21.jpg