Step Drill Bits

[Canadian Charlie]

Can someone school me on these type of drill bits. I need to drill a couple of 1" holes in the firewall of my truck so I can use rubber grommets. I'm eyeballing a set that goes from 4mm to 32mm

 

[Ign]

I'm no longer a fan of the HF bits as they don't hold an edge very well like they used to but HF sells one that goes to 1 3/8" that'd be perfect for your needs & by far the most affordable - when step bits get that big they get EXPENSIVE.

Milwaukee is also making sheetmetal holesaws for use in a 1/4" impact driver that look awesome, but I don't think they make 1" exactly - just common KO sizes

 

[Sine Swept]

For larger sizes I am using an Ideal bit, works great and I found it in a pawn shop for a reasonable price.

I have 2 sets of Mastercraft 3 pc bits, one of the six has a chunk out of the tip. But for sheet metal, it'll usually do.

I wouldn't want to use a hole saw in place of a step drill bit.

 

[thewatusi]

Just drilling a few holes for one project? Get the HF one.

 

[jgorm]

I love the HF ones. For <$10 for 3 of them you can't compare, and can treat them as disposable. If all you do is drill in hardened tool steel, then you need better ones. I typically use a better bit to start the hole and then switch to the step bits.

 

[PelicanPines]

I have dewalt brand and a few hf step drills. LOVE them for clean larger than 1/4 inch holes. Also great on sheet metal. I even use them to clean up burrs when I have to drill a ton of holes with regular drill bits.

 

[enjenjo]

If all you have is a hole saw, and you are working with thin metal, remove the drill bit in the center, and replace it with a 1/4" drill rod. Predrill the center hole, and the drill rod will keep the saw from wandering, making a nice hole.

Also for insulation or padding that may be snadwiched with the metal, I took an old 1" hole saw, ground all the teeth off, and grond a taper from the inside. It will cut insulation, padding, and vinyl without tearing it.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

Whilst we're on the subject, a saw sharpener can sharpen them. (I can too, but not worth jigging it up for $2.25)

I have used the HF ones, Klein, and Irwin. If it's just DIY stuff, they're all good enough. Heavy stuff=get what you pay for.

 

[Ign]

I was wrong, they do offer the Shockwave in 1"
http://www.milwaukeetool.com/press-releases/~/link.aspx?_id=2831752E740145A39F942BEDD2EF6042&_z=z

Watch woodstock's video
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=249629

 

[jaker10]

I have 6 different step bits. All from (Lawson). and they work great. I've used them from body panels to 1/4 steel.

 

[KnurledNut]

As was mentioned, starting the hole with a standard drill the same size as the tip gets it moving faster. I use a 1/4".
You might want to do a practice hole a few times in scrap so you get comfortable with the speed and feed.
I find if i push too hard, it dimples the metal. Let the bit do the work with light pressure.
Its also easy to drill too much. So take your time.
I have several brands, but tend to grab my HSS Greenlee first.
I see you are in Europe. German made Ruko Terrax looks to be a nice one.
Also, depending on your needs, the cobalt ones might be a wise investment.
At the same time, as others noted, I have a cheap TI-N one, and it does fine in mild steel.

 

[K-Dog]

My brother in law got me a real nice step bit set for christmas one year. Four bits in a metal case. These bits are TOUGH and stay real sharp. They are so fantastic. The one problem is, there is NO name on the case or the bits. I have no clue who made them. I want another set.
My brother in law does not recall where he got them from either.

 

[MikeF2316]

I never had these growing up, I've only had some for about 2 years. I don't need big holes very often, but I often find I forget I even have them!

I like them for 2 reasons. They seem to do a better job at not distorting what you're drilling through, I guess because the hole is increasing in size in small steps. Then you can use the next step to deburr, flip the piece over and deburr the other side!

 

[FloydShine]

Bought a 3 piece set from Eastwood several years ago. Have used and abused them on many projects. Would recommend you at least take a look.

 

[tdkkart]

I bought a se of 2 from HF, only used them once, they did an admirable job of drilling a 1" hole in stainless exhaust pipe.

 

[rcktsled]

Whilst we're on the subject, a saw sharpener can sharpen them. (I can too, but not worth jigging it up for $2.25)

Mohawk Dave, who sharpens your Unibits for that price?

 

[dr_clyde]

My favorites are Cyclone, made by Evolution. They hold up to lots of stainless sheet metal that I do. Followed by Lenox Vari-bit, Norseman, and Irwin Uni-bit.

I bought a blue point one once. Absolute ****.

 

[Farmall450]

Just drilling a few holes for one project? Get the HF one.

Ditto. Get the set & you'll have a spare for other projects.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I used some bought from PA [canadian HF] and used 3 drilling through the springs on my Ranger. I needed to enlarge the centering holes from a different application and regular bits would dull instantly. My cobalts shattered. The step drills dulled quickly and I used three drilling through 8 springs, going from a 12mm hole to a 1/2" hole, but they got the job done. I also used them for enlarging the rivet holes for bolts when replacing suspension parts on the frame. They are great at drilling holes that you need to get slightly bigger, especially in sheet or fairly thin stock. If I used them frequently I probably would try a more expensive brand.

Richard

 

[deafcon]

Greenlee are the nicest I have used. The Milwaukee bit looks just like a Greenlee, but I'm not sure if they're exactly the same or not, and I have not used one. The HF set is fine for small jobs. I bought a Neiko set off of Amazon that has 5 bits in a metal case. It's nice than the HF set, but doesn't come close to the Greenlee.

 

[tarbellb]

If you do any steel fabrication, especially thin material these are a must have.


HF are a good buy, if you use them frequently youll see a longer life out of more expensive (USA made) bits.

 

[Ign]

Yeah, wow, here's a Neiko to 1.375" for $12.31 Prime

http://smile.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00...&dpID=31X+xUJAkCL&ref=plSrch&pi=AC_SY200_QL40

 

[Canadian Charlie]

Here is the one I'm looking at. At around 11 Sterling for a 3 piece set from the UK it looks alright to be used a couple of time now and then.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/400430171...l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT#ht_773wt_1180

 

[sberry]

I have both, top dollar and HF, once they got mixed up cant tell them apart.

 

[NoahG]

If i had a LOT of the same size to do, I might consider a knock out punch. They leave a cleaner edge on the hole than some step bits or hole saws.

 

[uart]

I bought some cheap ebays ones and they actually stated in the ad that they were no good for materials over HRc 20 (rockwell hardness C = 20). I'm pretty sure they were the same as all the other cheap ebay ones out of China/HK, but I bought those ones because I thought they were at least being honest about their capabilities.

I've only used them with mild steel and aluminium and they've been fine for that. Probably the most use they get is the wife likes them for drilling drainage holes in the bottom of plastic pot plant holders, LOL.

BTW. Whether they state it or not, the material used for most of the cheap ebay bits out of HK/China is "HSS 4241" (4% Tungsten, 2% Moly, 4% Chromium and 1% Vanadium). Roughly speaking this is about half the quantity of key alloying ingredients compared to a high quality HSS like M2 or M35.

Anyway the point is, the really cheap ones do work ok. But if you're thinking of drilling anything harder like stainless for example, then it's probably worthwhile paying for a quality bit that's made from M2 or M35.

 

[K-Dog]

My brother in law got me a real nice step bit set for christmas one year. Four bits in a metal case. These bits are TOUGH and stay real sharp. They are so fantastic. The one problem is, there is NO name on the case or the bits. I have no clue who made them. I want another set.
My brother in law does not recall where he got them from either.

HA !!!!!!!!!!!!!! I figured it out !!!!!


http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002GQ5AKG/?tag=atomicindus08-20


These are THE BEST step bits I have ever used.