Uni-Bit/Step Drills

[TheMadMech]

I'm an industrial mechanic and find myself in need of some step drills. I'd like to be able to get up to 1" if possible. I've been browsing around the forums and the name that jumps out is Norseman. What would be the best brand and type to go for? I'd rather get an expensive too that's great rather than a cheap tool that fails after a few uses. I'd be using them almost exclusively for opening ports in electrical panels for conduit runs, so no thick metal. Thoughts?

 

[Strouty]

Honestly what you are doing doesn't need expensive ones, I use mine to open up holes in thick steel all the time.

HF has great reviews and people seem to like them. I would say they are worth a shot.

http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result?q=step+drill

 

[Farmall450]

Honestly what you are doing doesn't need expensive ones, I use mine to open up holes in thick steel all the time.

HF has great reviews and people seem to like them. I would say they are worth a shot.

http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result?q=step+drill

I'll have to agree. They're equally good as the blue points that I've used.

 

[tarbellb]

I have used just about every brand out there, some extensively. I love step bits.

That being said I feel like there is a place for nice ones and cheap ones. Its not hard to burn up one of the steps if doing dirty work, rendering every step bigger useless.

Personally I would buy a couple sets of the ultra cheap HF 3pc step bits, their biggest downfall is the hex shank is prone to breaking.

As for high end step bits, I personally like my USA made Irwins and Lenox. Greenlee, Milwaukee, and ?..cant remember the others were good, just didnt last as long.

I havent tried the Norseman, almost bought a set during the sale a while back. Im sure they are great bits, but pricey. Irwins can be found on Ebay for cheap time to time.

 

[GTA Matt]

I still have and use a 7/8" irwin I got 10 years ago. Recently bought a 3 size pack of cheaper bits, not sure of brand, but no complaints with them either.

 

[dr_clyde]

I feel like the Lennox Vari-bit is leaps and bounds better than the Norseman or Irwin. I use it in stainless all the time.

 

[HotFry]

I've got a couple Irwins, one for about ten years now. I used them for the same things you're talking about but not every day maybe two or three times a year and they've held up good.

I'm not in that line of work anymore but they are definitely nice to have, they also work good for de-buring conduit.

 

[lugnut71]

I bought a set of uni bits 10-13 years ago and they were awesome, lasted long time, last set, not impressed at all, nowhere near the same quality

 

[ilovevocs]

I do allot of gauge work and use them allot. I also use home made single flute mill bits. Twist drills are just not the right tool for sheet metal work.

As stated above the HF bits are not bad for the money.

Never used the Norseman but I like there twist drills.

I have some irwins that have been used and abused and still work.

For me it would depend on the atmosphere they get used in. If you can hold on to a tool and can afford a nicer one I would follow the recommendations above. If people Pilford your tools or you have a tendency to loose them the HF units would be my choice due to low cost of acquisition and acceptable performance.

I have both, the HF are my job site tools and my loaners.

 

[Richard Cranium]

another vote for harbor freight

 

[WhiskeyRanger]

We use Irwin or Hilti at work. I usually just use them to open a hole to use a knockout. The HF ones are cheap enough to have a few on hand and just swap them out as the point dulls rendering all the other steps useless.

 

[martin666]

Have a few step bits made in England, little pricey but they've never let me down

 

[TheMadMech]

Maybe I've been wrong this whole time. Can they be used for more than gage steel? I was taught not to do that and never really questioned it. I always figured that hole saws existed for that sort of thing.

This is my clever signature.

 

[Strouty]

I will take 1" plate with 3/4" holes and ream them out to 1" holes, usually have to come at it from both sides, but it works much better than a regular drill bit. Just keep the coolant on them, once you get a burnt ring it will not go past that step. Don't toss the bits like that, they will still work for larger holes or smaller ones.

 

[TheMadMech]

Which brand do you use for that sort of work, that could be helpful!

This is my clever signature.

 

[Strouty]

I will be honest, I have lots of brands. I think Irwin, Klein, Milwaukee, HF, and maybe Lenox. I have only had an issue when drill without any coolant.

 

[dontlifttoshift]

Yep, one more for the HF bits. I have used them all in an automotive/fabrication environment and the the HF bits last as long as the rest of them and I don't feel bad about throwing them away when I they finally burn up.

 

[bob from indiana]

We use Irwins at work. We build control panels and might drill 50 holes in a door for pushbuttons. Run them slowly and use lube, you should be pleased.
Working in 14 Ga. metal they last a while, in Stainless they will burn up quickly if run to fast.

 

[K-Dog]

I have had success with the Nikkos.

 

[619DioFan]

Have been using the HF step bits for a while now. have worked well for my needs. use the 20% coupon and they are a pretty good deal.

Damn - just noticed my post count now - 666 - Horns up

 

[53chevy5]

I've got some atd brand, seem to hold up good. Probably come off the same line as HF.

I'm more of a 777 guy.

 

[strength_and_power]

I've had nothing but good luck with Norseman twist bits and carbide tipped hole cutters. My Norseman carbide tipped hole cutter has done 5,000+ holes in 1/8" mild steel. I understand a step drill is a different animal but would have no problem with using one

 

[Yv.]

Another HF vote.