Step Bits; Opinions, Pro's, & Con's?.....
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Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: North of Tulsa, Oklahoma
Step Bits; Opinions, Pro's, & Con's?.....
Okay, I've toyed with the idea several times and am getting tired of making multiple drill bit changes for pilot holes when drilling steel and stainless steel. I've got the old key and chuck style drill, not the quick hand change style. I've been pricing and eyeballing some of the different brands of step drill(bits). They are not cheap. For those of you that have them and/or used them are they worth it? Are they as supceptible to heat dulling as regular bits? I figure it would be a pain to try to sharpen? Are they really as versatile and useful as they appear? 
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 432
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From: West London, England
I have one and use it quite a bit for drilling holes in sheet metal
It dose the job ok, the only complaint I have is the holes are not perfectly round
I use it in a hand drill, would probably work better in a drill press with the material clamped to the table
Stephen
It dose the job ok, the only complaint I have is the holes are not perfectly round
I use it in a hand drill, would probably work better in a drill press with the material clamped to the table
Stephen
Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2004
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I've had good luck with them for mild steel and aluminum up to 3/16" thick.
I'm very careful not to drill too fast or overheat that costly beauty. It's amazing how long a quality drill bit will last whent used properly.
I'm very careful not to drill too fast or overheat that costly beauty. It's amazing how long a quality drill bit will last whent used properly.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 347
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From: in a house
oh ok. they just mainly go dull on the tip which you can sharpen by hand. but as far as the rest of the cutting edges you would need to use a small grinding wheel like for a dremel, but by that time you would have got your moneys worth out of it.
I've seen the 3 piece IRWIN brand sets on sale for around 35 bucks. better than $22 each. they work great when using rubber grommets for running wire or hoses through sheet metal.
I've seen the 3 piece IRWIN brand sets on sale for around 35 bucks. better than $22 each. they work great when using rubber grommets for running wire or hoses through sheet metal.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Cape Cod,MA
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Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
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To resharpen them is difficult except for the point. They will not work well in stainless steel. They must be turned real slow and most hand drills will not work well. If they are turned fast they will burn up. I have three of them and they have their uses.
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2003
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Paul jr. & Vinny seem to use them for everything!!!!!!!! Ofcourse, Paul sr. has to pay to replace them when they burn them up.
My experience is that they tend to grab stuff - make sure you clamp down what you are drilling - clamps are cheeper than the hospital emergency room.
My experience is that they tend to grab stuff - make sure you clamp down what you are drilling - clamps are cheeper than the hospital emergency room.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 200
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From: NW OHIO
I love mine. I' ve had the cheap ones in the past. They didn't last very long. I finally broke down and bought the GreenLee's at my electrical supply house. I've had them for several years. They aren't right for every job. But, they sure can be useful given the right task. I.E. Don't use them for precision drilling. Depending on material, they can grab. But use clamps and you'll be fine.
Chris
Chris
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 586
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From: Tottenham Ontario Canada
I second the vote for the Greenlee step bits. I used the same one at work for about 3 years, though not every day. They are the best for building control panels when you need to put a limited number of conduit-sized and push button-sized holes in a sheet metal box. They tend to throw off blue-hot chips when used in a hand drill. I have had numerous chips melt themselves into my arms. Long sleeves are a real good idea.
Cheers,
Eric
Cheers,
Eric
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