The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Tool Chest How about Step bits

For some time I have wondered if the Step drill bits are worth a flip. I've used "uni" bits but never a step drill bit.

I see them come up on "special" at times like now there is 3 of them on sale at Harbor Freight bor 9 bucks and there is 29 steps for drilling.

While I probably would not buy Harbor Freight what do you guys think of them.

Lets hear it.. .and recommendations.

I just bought one. It's 1/8 to 1/2 in. I drilled a 1/4in thick piece of steel with it to 3/8 diameter. I did use oil to keep it lubricated. It actually worked very well.

I have some of those Harbor Freight step bit they work great and if you break one ( which I haven't broken any) they don't cost much to replace

I am a skeptic when it comes to these one thing duzitall gizmos. Step bits however work quite well if you do not need precision and remember to stop at the right step.

I have not been in Harbor Freight for several years and do not expect to do so for several more.

Dan Bentler

I thought unibits and stepbits were same thing? I have the "unibits " and love them as the holes are round and cuts fast.

They are. "Unibit" is actually a brand name. They're ok if you're drilling in relatively thin material and don't want to pack around a bunch of bits. Personally, I prefer regular bits for most of my drilling, and the Blair Rotabroach hole cutters for anythng I'm doing in sheetmetal, as they leave a burr free perfectly round hole.

...I guess in the end it just depends on how thick the piece your drilling in is and how deep you need the exact size hole to be.
As you can tell, I have not used them. I'm just trying to learn something here.
If you want a hold, say 1/4", and that size is the "second one" up on the step drill bit, how could you drill a 1/8" hole all the way through a 1/2" pice of steel without it drilling a bigger hole at the top??

Am i making sense or just showing my stupidity here on something I've never used?

A fellow gave me a "unibit" once that looks like a "cone" with a hole in it but I've never thought to use it. It just lays in the bit box.

Alvin, you can't drill a 1/8" hole in a 1/2" piece of steel with a step bit, unless the 'steps' are spaced 1/2" apart. The bit I have is spaced about 1/4".
They are very good on sheet metal.

They work great in sheetmetal, and I really like them in tight spaces. I use them with a 90 degree attachment on my drill and get into places that would be hard to do without cutting down a bit.

The cone with a hole in it sounds like a counter sink bit. Good for making flush counter sink screws or oval head screws.

Step bits are the only way to go on sheet metal, and that's really what they are for.
You don't get the bit catching like regular spiral bits do on thin stuff.

I hear you loud and clear, Wayne.
Thanks for the comments guys. I think I'll go ahead and get the 3 piece set as I have some small sheet metal patterns to cut out and use.
MNSmith, I think you may be right on this to but I swear I think it says "unibit" on the little plastic tube. I'll have to check the next time I'm out in the shop, tomorrow, if I can remember to take a look.

Alvin

I actuall have a set of Harbor Freight Uni-bits. They work great. I've had them for about 4 or 5 years. I'm an electrician and I use them all the time drilling out hole in panels. I just recently bought a set of the step bits to try out. I hope they last just as well. You can buy about 4 sets of the HF bits for the price of a Greenlee or Irwin bit.

"Unibits" are designed for sheet metal, and I understand they work great. I bought one 20 years ago, and have done a lot of metal work, but never tried it! Guess I just use my old stuff...

It has been and continues to be the one of kind excellent bit that seems to work when others just won't do.

just bought a set of three titanium step drill bits at the local flaps on sale for 29.95 atd tools made in china though. think i got a great price considering the other locals want that for just the one. i know hf is cheaper but just cant bring myself to buy from them. haven't tried them yet but i hope they work well. later MO

Yo big 'Chippie!

I HAVE that Harbor Freight set cause I needed one on a Sunday and they were close. I also have a $60 1/8 - 5/8 one. I use 'em all a lot. I can't tell any difference in how they cut! Buy the cheapies and see if you like 'em. If you don't, no biggie, but if you do get a real good one! I keep one in mt 18V Dewalt all the time.

Les

I have the HF stepped drills and they work great. Didn't use them for awhile at first because I thought they were only for sheet metal. Drilled holes in my 57 frame for brake hoses. Perfect.

Had very good luck with HF step bits on sheet metal

tried my cheap step drill bits and love them. wish i would have bought them years ago. very handy and do a nice job. actually going to find some bigger ones. later MO

Sheet metal for sure, works great.

Alvin
I finished my roller gate a few months back and used step bit a lot on 11 gauge. 2x2 square tubing to bore rosette weld holes in it when I was piecing shorter sections together with internal bracing. Very useful.

Thanks R-Bo. I think I've really tried to use the bits on to thick and to tough of material.....something for which the ones I got probably are not intended for? I've still got them and will give them a second chance on some other stuff.
Thanks for chipping in.

I use them a lot at work, on anything less that 0.100". The key to using them, and not destroying the edge, is to slow down the drill as you get to bigger and bigger steps. I have seen many people destroy a uni-bit by trying to drill a 3/4" hole on high speed. Usually all that happens is you will work harden to metal, and dull your bit.

Another consideration is to see which edges are sharp. You can buy some bits that have two cutting edges, so once one edge dulls you can reverse the drill and you have a brand new bit. The reason you can do this is because a uni-bit does not have spiral flutes, just a strait channel.