Step Drill Bit

[sauerkraut]

I was wondering if anyone ever used those "Step Drill Bits"? They are expensive but the package says they drill & de-burr at the same time. They are shaped like a cone and start out at 3/16" drill hole size and then step up to 1/4" and then 5/16" and so on up the cone. I don't think they can drill very deep because each "step" is only about 3/16" tall, so if the materal your drilling thru is thicker than a "step" the next size "step" will start boring and cutting into the materal ruining your hole... Harbor Tools sells 'em, as do other tool stores. I never heard about such drill bits before, it sounds like something you'd see on a info-commerical late at night. Anyone here ever use one?

[Breadburner]

I was wondering if anyone ever used those "Step Drill Bits"? They are expensive but the package says they drill & de-burr at the same time. They are shaped like a cone and start out at 3/16" drill hole size and then step up to 1/4" and then 5/16" and so on up the cone. I don't think they can drill very deep because each "step" is only about 3/16" tall, so if the materal your drilling thru is thicker than a "step" the next size "step" will start boring and cutting into the materal ruining your hole... Harbor Tools sells 'em, as do other tool stores. I never heard about such drill bits before, it sounds like something you'd see on a info-commerical late at night. Anyone here ever use one?

They are excelent...For their particular use....

[Red Arrow]

I was wondering if anyone ever used those "Step Drill Bits"?

I've had several for years.  They are fabulous in thin material like sheet aluminum (.032 is my usual thickness).  The shape of the bit keeps the hole round unlike a regular twist drill that makes a tri-lobe hole.

[custosnox]

I've had several for years.  They are fabulous in thin material like sheet aluminum (.032 is my usual thickness).  The shape of the bit keeps the hole round unlike a regular twist drill that makes a tri-lobe hole.

I found them usefull in thicker metal as well, like a conex, but it burns through them pretty fast.

[Red Arrow]

I found them usefull in thicker metal as well, like a conex, but it burns through them pretty fast.

I haven't tried them in anything thicker than about 1/8".  They are great there too.

[Breadburner]

Ya have to put some lube on them....

[sauerkraut]

That's great- I think I'll invest in one. I drill thru mostly mild steel. Should be perfect for sheet metal too. Thanks! 

[Conan71]

That's great- I think I'll invest in one. I drill thru mostly mild steel. Should be perfect for sheet metal too. Thanks! 

What? Are you mounting a bunch of pot metal skulls and spikes on your old beater?

[sauerkraut]

What? Are you mounting a bunch of pot metal skulls and spikes on your old beater?

I have been fixing a old trailor with new 6" channel steel, and doing other such work with steel. The only thing I hate doing is cutting channel steel in my abrasive saw, that dust  and those metal sparks from the steel cutting get all over my hair even if I use a hat, I have long hair it's hard to wash that metal dust out, ruins your clothes too. The drilling process is slow because I have to start off with a small "pilot" hole and and keep changing bits till I get a 5/8" or 7/8" hole or what ever size I need. Those step drill bits could save me alot of time and if they last longer all the better. 

[sauerkraut]

I get good buys on used steel from a recycle yard at W.81st in Sand Springs (just south of Charles Page Blvd) they have used steel at 35 cents a pound the problem is finding the size and kind of steel you want, much of that steel is very thick and heavy or too long they don't cut it for you- and other pieces are  too small. There is also a place on N. Peoria that sells new & used steel  all sizes. A new 10' long 6" channel costs about $55.00, but if you can find something like that used you can save a few bucks.