Mastercraft step drill bits

[stovebolt6]

I saw today that Can Tire has the Mastercraft 3 piece step drill set on sale for like $10 (75% off). As I was handling the package in the aisle, another customer walked by, noticed me, and stopped to tell me how horribly useless the bits were and that they were a complete waste of money. I was surprised because the reviews online are all very positive. Anyone here had any experiences with them? I'm thinking maybe that guy was just an idiot.

 

[T_Roze]

I have used mine once. Have a set in my box for small quick jobs. Used it to relocate a mounting hole in a fluorescent light shield, and it cut great. If one job is to be the judge, they are good. Ultimately though, they are significantly less than Irwin, or other similar "quality" brands, and if you want to buy them for frequent use, I can fairly confidently say to look elsewhere. Infrequent use, just like a lot of other lower end Canadian Tire products, is where these will be fine.

 

[umwaddee]

I bought them last year at that price, and for $10 I have gotten my money's worth drilling/sizing holes for plug welds, firewall HVAC lines, and even pot holes in homemade guitar pickguards. If used properly for the correct application (<1/8" material with lubrication) you can get your money's worth for small projects where a $200 set of Ruko's would be overkill.

 

[stovebolt6]

Well I had to go back and get some signal light bulbs so I thought what the hell, and bought a set. It's $10. Upon first inspection they appear quite nice. It's not a tool I will use very often but I will need to drill a couple small holes in a steel bumper to install some auxiliary lights.. think they'll hold up?

 

[Jswain]

They most definitely will. I've used mine quite a few times in stuff up to 3/16-1/4" and they had no problem. I snapped one using it in an impact driver drilling a large hole through some 1/4" and they exchanged it no problem. Using them is a lot faster then stepping up in drill bit sizes but I often forget about them.

 

[stovebolt6]

Cool, thanks for the response. Do they wander much? Will I need a pilot hole to get them started?

 

[Mazdaspeed]

They're decent enough, for the price you can't really go wrong.

I use mine for pumpkin carving sometimes lol

 

[Hopalong604]

Have a set at work and home. Use both maybe 3-4 times a year, so worth the $10.

 

[Jswain]

Just using a centrepunch will be fine

 

[PowerGenGuy]

I do a pilot hole. I use these on sheet metal and they are fine. I have a set of Greenlee in my work box that are better. The CT ones are for home use really, and CT knows that.