New Astro TurboStep Drill Bit Sets, 29pc & 21pc

[Odd-job]

Being someone who shops at Harbor Freight from time to time my standards are definitely low, but dang that set looks like it was transported over the Dalton highway to get to you. Jamming a piece of foam in the case might have helped. Pretty sure this would not help, but my set came in a cardboard box surrounding the metal box. The drill bits were still free to slide around in the case.

 

[j3rf]

Typical Amazon shipping imo. Don't think it's a tool problem but a seller problem.

 

[Buckgnarly]

Amazon sent me the 21 piece instead of the 29 piece. Amazon's getting shittier and shittier.

 

[Lt CHEG]

I got my 21 piece freebie set yesterday. I’m very much looking forward to putting these to use. Thanks Astro!

 

[Jeepster04]

Got both of my sets. Good looking set of drill bits. Tucked them away in the tool box.

I'd be sending those back sumboodie.

 

[Sumboodie]

Got both of my sets. Good looking set of drill bits. Tucked them away in the tool box.

I'd be sending those back sumboodie.

I'm thinking about it. Was waiting to hear from Astro about it.

 

[Retroman]

Not real happy how mine showed up either. Like he said for $200 I expect better.

 

[GeoBruin]

It seems like a thin piece of foam in between the tips and the box would solve this problem pretty easily. That might be the best feedback we can give Astro.

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

Thanks guys, we'll look into that.

Edit: We're going through the process of implementing this now.

 

[AA/FC]

delete

 

[Odd-job]

Received my 21 piece set today. Not banged up, but only had to make the trip from LA.

Probably going to use these whenever I am dealing with metal or plastic and can't use my drill press. The way they eat through metal might also make them good from drilling pilot holes for stepped drill bits. Would be great to have a stepped drill bit with a hyper step head now that I think about it... Stubby hyper steps would also be something I would be interested in.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Received my 21 piece set today. Not banged up, but only had to make the trip from LA.

Probably going to use these whenever I am dealing with metal or plastic and can't use my drill press. The way they eat through metal might also make them good from drilling pilot holes for stepped drill bits. Would be great to have a stepped drill bit with a hyper step head now that I think about it... Stubby hyper steps would also be something I would be interested in.

How much money are you trying to cost me?


My 21pc set also showed up today, thanks for putting this on Astro. Already broke out the other set on some snapped off M6 bolts.

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

Received my 21 piece set today. Not banged up, but only had to make the trip from LA.

Shipped from North Carolina!

 

[Sumboodie]

Amazon sent me the 21 piece instead of the 29 piece. Amazon's getting shittier and shittier.

I Bought a hydraulic winch from them. Took 6 months to ship and I get a broken electric winch.

Send it back, and reorder. 2 months later they ship a "new" winch.

It arrives and it's the same broken winch I had returned months before. Still in the same destroyed box.

The "gave" it to me after that. I gave it away, was garbage.

 

[mmggdd]

Any one get tracking for the 21pc set?

 

[GeoBruin]

My 21 piece arrived yesterday.

 

[ipgenie]

Got my 21 piece two days ago. Both sets look great. No tracking or notice on the second set, it just showed up.

I ordered something from Amazon once and it was defective and in a damaged box. I returned it for an exchange and they sent the same box and defective item to me again. I opened another return/exchange request and this time I waited until I got the new one before sending the defective one back (I think I had a few weeks to put it in the mail). It hasn't happened since but if it does, I'll at least wait until I have a tracking number in progress on the replacement before dropping the return off at the shipping place.

 

[NYBODYMAN]

Damnit, I missed the boat on this one.

 

[tehach]

I received my 21 piece several days ago. Both sets look great.

 

[GeoBruin]

21 piece set arrived. I think I'm going to do the right thing and give it to a friend for his birthday.

In other news, I've been using these quite a bit on thin(ish) wall tubing lately. They have a couple advantages I can see in this application. First, they make a very round hole. Second, they don't leave a giant burr on the backside of a hole. I think they are less prone to start walking/wandering when you start the hole (especially if you don't have a pilot hole) but I need to start paying more attention.

Some of this should have been obvious for anyone who's used a step bit, but the best part is you just pick the size of your ultimate hole and pull the trigger. No need to try and eyeball which step you're at and try to stop once you punch through so you dont remove too much material with the next largest step.

I'm sure I'll get around to trying them on some thicker material eventually.

 

[signcrafter]

I put these to task this weekend on a project for the wife. She wanted a
shelf above an opening in her plant room, I call it the jungle. So instead of just getting some shelf brackets I told her to get some plant hanger hooks and I would use those as the shelf brackets. Only issue is they aren't meant for shelves so they dont have screw holes in the one part of the arm. So I used the astro bits to drill two 3/16" holes in each 3/8" thick hanger so I could run a screw into the shelf to keep it from moving. I'm in the process of moving so my drill press is at the old house. I chucked the bit in my m12 fuel drill on slow speed and went to town drilling the 8 holes I needed. I was amazed when I had chips that were 6" long. It was like it was in a drill press at the perfect speed. Drilled right threw the hangers no issues. I can see these coming in very handy compared to normal drill bits. When I told the wife I "had" to buy these bits just for her project and that they were 25 dollars a hole she wasnt too impressed. Lol. I didnt tell her I bought these a while back before I even knew about this project but I like justifying tool purchases to her so she sees how much the shop comes in handy. Thanks again astro.

 

[GeoBruin]

I put these to task this weekend on a project for the wife. She wanted a
shelf above an opening in her plant room, I call it the jungle. So instead of just getting some shelf brackets I told her to get some plant hanger hooks and I would use those as the shelf brackets. Only issue is they aren't meant for shelves so they dont have screw holes in the one part of the arm. So I used the astro bits to drill two 3/16" holes in each 3/8" thick hanger so I could run a screw into the shelf to keep it from moving. I'm in the process of moving so my drill press is at the old house. I chucked the bit in my m12 fuel drill on slow speed and went to town drilling the 8 holes I needed. I was amazed when I had chips that were 6" long. It was like it was in a drill press at the perfect speed. Drilled right threw the hangers no issues. I can see these coming in very handy compared to normal drill bits. When I told the wife I "had" to buy these bits just for her project and that they were 25 dollars a hole she wasnt too impressed. Lol. I didnt tell her I bought these a while back before I even knew about this project but I like justifying tool purchases to her so she sees how much the shop comes in handy. Thanks again astro.

I've used the heck out of them since receiving my set and I'm blown away. They solve some of my biggest issues with drilling holes. They seem to significantly reduce the burr on the back side of a hole, they all but eliminate pilot drilling (though you can still drill a pilot hole if you choose to), when enlarging an existing hole, they don't inadvertently grab too much material and mangle the hole (or bind up the drill), and perhaps most importantly, they actually make round holes. I try to use a drill press whenever possible to keep the drill bit centered and make round holes but I swear I get 3-lobed holes even in the drill press under some circumstances using traditional twist drills.

I'm not someone who ever learned to sharpen drill bits so I usually just replace singles when they're worn or broken (my metal supplier has a complete rack of norseman singles right by the checkout counter). If Astro would sell singles of these, I would be in heaven.

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

I've used the heck out of them since receiving my set and I'm blown away. They solve some of my biggest issues with drilling holes. They seem to significantly reduce the burr on the back side of a hole, they all but eliminate pilot drilling (though you can still drill a pilot hole if you choose to), when enlarging an existing hole, they don't inadvertently grab too much material and mangle the hole (or bind up the drill), and perhaps most importantly, they actually make round holes. I try to use a drill press whenever possible to keep the drill bit centered and make round holes but I swear I get 3-lobed holes even in the drill press under some circumstances using traditional twist drills.

I'm not someone who ever learned to sharpen drill bits so I usually just replace singles when they're worn or broken (my metal supplier has a complete rack of norseman singles right by the checkout counter). If Astro would sell singles of these, I would be in heaven.

Of course we carry individuals. Small small sizes are sold as 5pc to make shipping make sense, but the majority of sizes are available individually and we will also replace "was new and it broke" sort of instances of defect

 

[GeoBruin]

Of course we carry individuals. Small small sizes are sold as 5pc to make shipping make sense, but the majority of sizes are available individually and we will also replace "was new and it broke" sort of instances of defect

We'll that's great news. How does one order the individuals? I can only find the sets on your site.

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

We'll that's great news. How does one order the individuals? I can only find the sets on your site.

We dont display all parts on the website because it would number around 12,000 - you'd just email or call us.

 

[AJHD]

We dont display all parts on the website because it would number around 12,000 - you'd just email or call us.

Interesting. I might have to take you up on that. I'm only using a few sizes currently and I'd like to try them.

 

[signcrafter]

Interesting. I might have to take you up on that. I'm only using a few sizes currently and I'd like to try them.

You wont be disappointed. I can say that much.

 

[AJHD]

We dont display all parts on the website because it would number around 12,000 - you'd just email or call us.

Chris, I emailed Astro last weekend and I've not received a response. I'm interested in buying some individual bits. I only need 3-4 sizes. Thanks.

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

Chris, I emailed Astro last weekend and I've not received a response. I'm interested in buying some individual bits. I only need 3-4 sizes. Thanks.

Try this, [email protected]. We're working on our website at the moment, the emails come out in batches. Trying to resolve

 

[AJHD]

Try this, [email protected]. We're working on our website at the moment, the emails come out in batches. Trying to resolve

Done. Thanks.

 

[AJHD]

Try this, [email protected]. We're working on our website at the moment, the emails come out in batches. Trying to resolve

I find there are 2 different types of companies. Those who want your business and those who don't.
Per your instructions, I e-mailed Nfisher on Monday 12/12. A week plus later, no response. For the record, no response from my original e-mail via your website either.

Sometimes you can't even give people your money... But rest assured Chris, the Matco guy at work is happy to take my money and warranty bits should I need them.

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

Heck just pm me the sizes you need and I'll send em to you.
No money giving away needed
Edit: Looks like our system flagged your domain as suspicious and held emails for review. Only one other email in there outside of ones from bots and such, not sure why yet. Offer stands though

 

[Bmxkelowna]

M12x1.75 GMC 2500 rear bumper bolt that rusted into the frame and snapped. Drilled though with a smaller bit no issue at all and then the larger bit got about 3/4 of the way though and bit into the bolt once most of the threads were cut out and pushed the rest out the back of the nut.


Amazing drill bits I love them.

 

[nicks78camaro]

Warranty on these at all?

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

Warranty on these at all?

We'll cover defect but not wear. For example 1st time you use a bit the tip breaks apart, or it breaks at the flutes or it just skates on normal material other drill bits or sizes had no problem with and wont start a hole. We'll send at least that replacement, more than 1 if it's a common size you use and you ask nicely

 

[dnschmidt]

I don't know if this is possible but left handed versions of this type of drill bit might be the bomb when used as an extractor. Chris, you should think about this.

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

I don't know if this is possible but left handed versions of this type of drill bit might be the bomb when used as an extractor. Chris, you should think about this.

We've prototyped a bunch. They drill too good, never really catch on anything to promote left hand extracting, by making tiny chips. Then when you go to use an extractor, the female hole made if not a though hole has a inverted pyramid inside left from the steps. You end up having to drill 1.5X deeper to fit an extractor in the hole because of the steps it leaves.

I have a design I'm working on though that will maybe work, long R&D process however

 

[ChevyEFI]

We've prototyped a bunch. They drill too good, never really catch on anything to promote left hand extracting, by making tiny chips. Then when you go to use an extractor, the female hole made if not a though hole has a inverted pyramid inside left from the steps. You end up having to drill 1.5X deeper to fit an extractor in the hole because of the steps it leaves.

I have a design I'm working on though that will maybe work, long R&D process however

Just bought LH drills
Will look fwd. to hearing more.