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step drill bits
- Thread starter reptilezs
- Start date
lotsoftools
Well-known member
I hear that the Irwin's are decent and somewhat reasonably priced. Lenox are nice too, but expensive. I have a Harbor Freight set. One has a broken tip, another has a broken shank. I still keep using them though.
spotco2
Well-known member
I've got Irwins and have been happy with them.
diesel research
Well-known member
hf ones break easily. broke several.
http://store.harryepstein.com/merch...een=CTGY&Store_Code=1930&Category_Code=UniBit
http://store.harryepstein.com/merch...een=CTGY&Store_Code=1930&Category_Code=UniBit
Elvenhome21
Well-known member
Hf ones don't like drilling through anything harder then low grade steel or thicker then about 3/16" thick steel. Id like to get a set of irwins but just can't justify the price vs mia rate. Drill bits love to walk off out of toolbox.
cyato
Well-known member
I prefer two fluted step drills rather than the single flute like the Irwin Unibit because the single flute bits tend to wander off center more. I have multiple HF sets for general use but have nicer Greenlee and Lennox bits for serious use. I recently picked up a Lennox VB6 http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002438M6/?tag=atomicindus08-20 which starts at 3/16" and goes to 1/2" in 6 steps. It's barely over an inch tall (cutter length) so it allows you to open up a hole quickly even when you don't have the depth clearance for a typical length step drill. I've been finding a lot of uses for it lately...
FYI, I was able to get my nicer/expensive step drills resharpened (I didn't know if they did that) and they cut like new!
FYI, I was able to get my nicer/expensive step drills resharpened (I didn't know if they did that) and they cut like new!
Provincial
Well-known member
I have the HF set. Actually, several sets. I have used the biggest bit the most. I drilled holes in VERY hard steel girts for a steel building to pass electrical conduit through, and many holes to relocate window openings. This steel is so hard the plumber broke a Greenlee hydraulic punch trying to put 3-1/2" holes for the drain and vent lines. I lost track of how many holes I drilled with the one bit, but it was well over 100.
I used a Milwaukee 1/2" variable speed drill running slowly, and regular thread cutting oil from the hardware store. The bit is still sharp and in operation. I did discover that I needed to drill at least a 3/16" pilot hole to get the step drill started. I could omit the pilot hole, but it took so much longer to get started that it wasn't worth the effort.
This is one tough drill bit. It would snag and try to throw me around quite often. It never broke or chipped.
I used a Milwaukee 1/2" variable speed drill running slowly, and regular thread cutting oil from the hardware store. The bit is still sharp and in operation. I did discover that I needed to drill at least a 3/16" pilot hole to get the step drill started. I could omit the pilot hole, but it took so much longer to get started that it wasn't worth the effort.
This is one tough drill bit. It would snag and try to throw me around quite often. It never broke or chipped.
bob from indiana
Well-known member
We use Irwin unibits at work. We build control panels and Many have 25 or more push buttons on the door. Most are regular steel but about 1/3 are stainless steel. I run the bits slowly and get good service from them.
The most used in 1/4- 3/4 inch. This makes a hole for the Greenly punch.
I also have some in Metric size. If you run them at full drill speed they will
overheat and fail quickly. We buy them from Mcmaster-Carr.
The most used in 1/4- 3/4 inch. This makes a hole for the Greenly punch.
I also have some in Metric size. If you run them at full drill speed they will
overheat and fail quickly. We buy them from Mcmaster-Carr.
jgsrris11
Member
I find the harbor freight ones last just as long as the rest or them. You can catch the hf ones on sale foe 7.99 for the 3 piece set. If I dig through the my drill bit draw I probably have 20 of name brand ones probably the same amount of harbor freight ones. I use and abuse them on a daily basis. From drilling spot welds to fabricating air bag brackets for suspension.
sberry
Banned
I was leary of hf but tried some, so far cant tell the difference.
Ive had all three mentioned, Irwin Unibits, Lenox brand, and HF.
Dont be fooled the HF is definitely the cheapest in terms of cost and quality. They will do most task asked but I have dulled a full 3pc set, broken the shank on another .
The Irwins and Lenox have both been great bits. I used the Irwins till all three dulled to the point of useless (years of use). Im still using the Lenox which are the replacements for my Irwins, they are of the same quality.
My advice: Buy the Irwin 3pc set you see around, worth every dollar in my opinion. But also buy the HF 3pc set and use it for the **** you dont want to subject your nicer bits to.
Also: Ive had much better tip life when I do a pilot hole 1/8"-1/4" before using my stepped bits.
Dont be fooled the HF is definitely the cheapest in terms of cost and quality. They will do most task asked but I have dulled a full 3pc set, broken the shank on another .
The Irwins and Lenox have both been great bits. I used the Irwins till all three dulled to the point of useless (years of use). Im still using the Lenox which are the replacements for my Irwins, they are of the same quality.
My advice: Buy the Irwin 3pc set you see around, worth every dollar in my opinion. But also buy the HF 3pc set and use it for the **** you dont want to subject your nicer bits to.
Also: Ive had much better tip life when I do a pilot hole 1/8"-1/4" before using my stepped bits.
rlitman
Well-known member
I've tried the Irwin, the Lenox, the Greenlee, and the HF.
The HF will get you the most work done for the money. Sure, they don't last as long, but unibits don't last that long in general anyway, and the absolutely crazy prices of the better names don't make them last 20 times as long, which is how long they would have to last compared to the HF sale prices.
The HF will get you the most work done for the money. Sure, they don't last as long, but unibits don't last that long in general anyway, and the absolutely crazy prices of the better names don't make them last 20 times as long, which is how long they would have to last compared to the HF sale prices.
the gypsy
Well-known member
I personally like the Unibit because it has one flute and is less likely the get stuck.
N.I.
Well-known member
Has anyone managed to sharpen these bits successfully?
The shape of the grooves make it quite difficult.
The shape of the grooves make it quite difficult.
Nascar4401
Well-known member
We use Irwin at work everyday and they are stellar!
wise
Well-known member
I buy a set of mastercraft ones, once a year or so. I usually use them in steel and iron with a cordless. They work great, but they do start to dull and chip after lots of hard use. Saves my good drill bits a lot of needless wear.
I have irwins, HF, and HF 'stepless' ones. I use the stepless the most. Some sheets bend too much from one step to the next. Otherwise, for general use I can pick any of them and get roughly the hole i want.
I just started using them recently so all my bits are still fairly new.
I just started using them recently so all my bits are still fairly new.