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

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

The GJ deal has ended, below is info on the product. Thanks GJ!

You've asked for them, you've waited, it took awhile but we're finally making them under Astro. For just under half the cost found on these before now.
Though as far as drill bits go, obviously these do take quite a few extra manufacturing steps compared to what you find in a Hardware Store

Astro Tools TS29 ONYX 29pc TurboStep HSS Reduced Shank Mechanics Length 1/16" - 1/2" Drill Bit Set - - Amazon.com

Astro Tools TS29 ONYX 29pc TurboStep HSS Reduced Shank Mechanics Length 1/16" - 1/2" Drill Bit Set - - Amazon.com

amzn.to

Astro Tools TS21 ONYX 21pc TurboStep HSS Mechanics Length 1/16" - 3/8" Drill Bit Set - - Amazon.com

Astro Tools TS21 ONYX 21pc TurboStep HSS Mechanics Length 1/16" - 3/8" Drill Bit Set - - Amazon.com

amzn.to

(if the site says shipping October or whatever, that's not the case. They should be getting stock from several of their tool warehouse customers this coming week)

TurboStep drill bits, patented drill bits that are traditional spiral fluted but the tips are all each small step-drill designs that seriously change the game when starting holes, drilling large sizes without pilot holes, drilling quickly through sheet metal and leaving a clean circle, and just drilling through hardened and imperfect surfaces much faster and with less effort compared to traditional and split-point drill bits.

Basically spreads the job of making a hole over several individual spirally located cutting edges making each have to work less hard and also mitigating a lot of the heat involved.
If you havent had an opportunity to use these type of drill bits yet we highly recommend talking to someone who has.

- Reduced shanks over 3/8" so you can use in 3/8" drills on all sizes
- 3 flats on the shanks to prevent spinning
- Onyx oxide coating to prevent chip adhesion
- The same top shelf high-speed steel we normally make these in
- These are the real deal with several US patents

 

[Benito]

Nice, in! My buddy has the Matco and doesn't shut up about them so for my use these would be perfect

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Man this is tempting. Lots of backup bits for my.norseman set.

 

[bigworm85]

In. Thanks Chris.

 

[ckeboss]

@Astro_Pneumatic_Tools Any comments of thoughts on the difference between the Astro and Norseman 22903 version?

 

[scooby074]

There is so much hype about them. Thats not a bad thing if they work as advertised. Im curious, are you able to sharpen them? I know some people sharpen step drills, but I've never had much luck doing it.

 

[Professional Tool User]

There is so much hype about them. Thats not a bad thing if they work as advertised. Im curious, are you able to sharpen them? I know some people sharpen step drills, but I've never had much luck doing it.

Trying to do a split point by hand and bench grinder is hard enough already, let alone a step drill profile. This is most likely a one time use kind of tool with how small the steps are.

 

[KnurledNut]

@Astro_Pneumatic_Tools
Any chance these will ever be available in cobalt like the Matcos?

 

[NFH2740]

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

@Astro_Pneumatic_Tools Any comments of thoughts on the difference between the Astro and Norseman 22903 version?

All I can really say is these are the real deal with multiple patents behind them saying as much, anything else out there is a short term strategy to turn a quick buck before the party is formally brought to an end. Which hey, that's how these things go sometimes. You have to at least take it as a compliment.

No plans for cobalt at the moment.

The main image for the TS29 on Amazon is going through some.. uh. birthing pains it seems. We'll try to have them correct. It can happen on new listings.

 

[Snapped-off]

Damn it...

 

[WillRead]

I'm in for a set!

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Ya got me, 29pc set ordered.

If you guys deal with broken stainless hardware, these kick ***.

 

[ItsNemo]

Never any love for us Canadian folks

 

[Odd-job]

Thanks for the love Astro.

 

[RTM]

The 21 piece is having different trouble with images.

 

[scooby074]

Trying to do a split point by hand and bench grinder is hard enough already, let alone a step drill profile. This is most likely a one time use kind of tool with how small the steps are.

The guys Ive seen sharpen Unibits sharpen the entire cutting edge at once (ie: all the steps) not each individual step. I tried to duplicate but no bueno.

I figured with these you might be able to sharpen the point? The steps look like they are cut into a "twisted" web of a conventional drill. I figure they are impossible to sharpen short of a CNC.

Not bad if you got a Tool Truck exchange warranty, but at the price theyre a bit too steep for me as a short use consumable (conventional drills are also consumables, but you can at least sharpen them to extend their lifetime). If I ever see a single in 1/4" I might buy it to see what all the hype is about though. Maybe Princess Auto who sells several Astro tool rebrands will pick them up..

 

[Nutria]

The 21 piece is having different trouble with images.

These drills cut very quietly.

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

The 21 piece is having different trouble with images.

Okay, now it's just funny.
Luckily the 21pc is back to normal. The 29pc is still "#1" though

 

[WhataTool]

Alright alright twist my arm.
In

 

[GeoBruin]

Yeah, I'm in too. I've actually got a project I want to try these on right now. I've got to put some rivnuts into some 2x2 square tube and my regular split points create such a burr on the backside of the hole that it interferes with the the rivnut seating against the inside wall. Maybe these will be better about not leaving a burr. I find that to be true of typical step bits.

 

[tehach]

I'm in also, 29pc set ordered.

 

[hotrodpierre]

I am in as well. Just ordered the 29pc set.

 

[signcrafter]

Man I don't really want to spend 200 bucks on drill bits right now. But, my viking set that was over 100 bucks had 3 bits chip the first time I used them on some exhaust bolts. I guess I'll have to pull the trigger and see how these work. Thanks for the offer again. I'm a sucker for deals and Astro hasn't disappointed. Just ordered the 1423 riveter for some license plate brackets this week.

 

[Lt CHEG]

I also hated to spend $200 right now but couldn’t pass this up, so I’m in too. I’ve got a Matco version of these that I bought for a particular job and it was awesome so I figured why not get all these bits?! Thanks Astro!

 

[mmggdd]

Im in.

 

[Fedwrench]

I'm in. PM sent.

Thanks for continuing to offer Garage Journal BOGOs,

 

[Retroman]

I'm in, I really need some decent bits. Got suckered in on the Drill Hog bits.

 

[Jeepster04]

Always wanted a good set of drill bits. Now I hopefully have two!

 

[dnschmidt]

I'm in. PM sent.

Thanks for continuing to offer Garage Journal BOGOs,

Yea, like there was ANY doubt you'd be in. Com-on Fed. I really don't see what the larger drill sizes in the big set would do for me as I seldom need drills that big and when I do normal drills to enlarge a smaller hole or a step drill typically does the job so I got my 3/8" set a couple of weeks ago when they were first announced. How often do you need bigger than 3/8" to drill out a bolt is the way I saw it. What's your thinking on this Fed?

 

[Snapped-off]

 

[GeoBruin]

Wow, that was quick.

Out of curiosity, will these help prevent 3 lobed holes in thinner material or is that wishful thinking?

 

[WhataTool]

Wow, that was quick.

Out of curiosity, will these help prevent 3 lobed holes in thinner material or is that wishful thinking?

Yes, the Matco set I used did if you dont try to speed through it

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

Update edited

 

[Sumboodie]

$200 isn't much... sheez... here I am thinking I was high on the hog when I could go grocery shopping without having to bring a calculator to make sure I had enough money to pay for it.

Does "continental" apply to 49 states? or did you actually mean contiguous (48 States)

 

[Sumboodie]

Wow, that was quick.

Out of curiosity, will these help prevent 3 lobed holes in thinner material or is that wishful thinking?

Any unibit will do that though. And the cheap ones that are like $30 for a 3-4 set work fine.

 

[WhataTool]

Any unibit will do that though. And the cheap ones that are like $30 for a 3-4 set work fine.

If you want to drill a single hole, and stop it at the correct level on the uni-bit, and the material thickness matches the step on the bit to work with. Agreed.
Everyone's use case is different, but I often have to drill 20-50 holes in sheet metal for pop rivets or otherwise at once. Or need holes that aren't easily devisable into 1/8" size increments.

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

$200 isn't much... sheez... here I am thinking I was high on the hog when I could go grocery shopping without having to bring a calculator to make sure I had enough money to pay for it.

Does "continental" apply to 49 states? or did you actually mean contiguous (48 States)

I meant the opposite, edited for clarity. I dont spend $200 on a whim, so I feel the extra time to consider is fair.

Sure, we'll ship to AK. Why not

 

[Sumboodie]

If you want to drill a single hole, and stop it at the correct level on the uni-bit, and the material thickness matches the step on the bit to work with. Agreed.
Everyone's use case is different, but I often have to drill 20-50 holes in sheet metal for pop rivets or otherwise at once. Or need holes that aren't easily devisable into 1/8" size increments.

True, they certainly have limitations. Work best on thin materials

 

[Fedwrench]

Yea, like there was ANY doubt you'd be in. Com-on Fed. I really don't see what the larger drill sizes in the big set would do for me as I seldom need drills that big and when I do normal drills to enlarge a smaller hole or a step drill typically does the job so I got my 3/8" set a couple of weeks ago when they were first announced. How often do you need bigger than 3/8" to drill out a bolt is the way I saw it. What's your thinking on this Fed?

Purely frugal. 50 hyperstep drill bits at about $4 a bit not counting sales tax seems like a bargain to me (don't tell me if it isn't). I very rarely drill out broken anything but, I do have to install let's say, aftermarket items at work. Sometimes a larger hole is required, and my weapon of choice has been step bits, or that rotorbroach hole cutter in thin metal. However, I wanted to support Astro because, I like most of their stuff and value their presence here. It's also the garage journal mantra that, it's better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it.