Do You Need These? HERCULES Cobalt Step Drill Bits Review [Harbor Freight]

[@Yettee0201]

Says right on the package for drill use only for either set. Do not use an impact you risk the bit shattering or shearing from the impacts if you do.

[@Ma77riK]

drilling stainless requires patience, slow and cold is the recipe for success, fast and hot will "work harden" stainless steel. step bits are not the best choice for stainless in general.

[@jonathankorman4031]

Yeah, I learned why they sell those absurdly priced (at least to a homeowner) punches to get through SS sheet Ended up getting a cobalt bit on a rotary tool to finish up the SS sink hole I was trying to drill, and was very thankful the escutcheon covered up my malarkey

[@tsl7881]

When that caught on you is when the shank shattered on my big one. I blamed it on the fast feed of the spiral flutes. The electrical tape I had on it didn't stop it... They have replaced the big ones' shanks with a hex shaft.

[@chrisarthur1561]

With the regular twist drill you ran the drill at full rpm and with the step bits you went with a slower rpm. Reducing the rpm of a regular twist drill can help not leaving as much burr on the break through.

[@mcoguyaj]

From what I found out is set your drill on number 1 for slower drilling speed and set the rpm the dial on the drill to a lower number between 10 and 13. It was either the 3 pack for 24.99 they were on clearance or paying 54.00 for one at HD both were cobalt the Harbor Freight worked fine and since I don't use these all the time the next time they will be fine to use. For us who don't use these very much PB Blaster or WD 40 will work as the cutting oil.

[@mos8541]

They cheap because of LOW % of Co. Normally "cobalt" means MINIMUM 8% Co in the alloy, many companies such as hobofreight are 5% OR LESS. Todd at PF did a definitive review of metals and designs determining spiral dual flute to be optimal, min 8% Co.

[@Shoptoolreviews]

Yep, works good on mild steel, but they show their colors in the Stainless. Thanks for watching.

[@BigBear--]

That's kind of ignorant. If anything usually if it just says "Cobalt", that's going to be 5% Co, or M35 grade. If it's M42 grade, which is 8% Co, they'll usually advertise that fact, or have it marked on the bit. Cheapness also got nothin to do with it, it's about the use case for what you need. The higher the Cobalt content the harder and much more brittle the bit becomes. M42 Bits tend to be mainly used in high production stationary drill applications (drill presses, etc.) where the bit is locked in position, which decreases chance of it breaking. M35 is good for both hand drills and drill presses, with less likelyhood of snapping than M42.

[@mcoguyaj]

@@BigBear-- Exactly what I was going to tell him. ALL unless it's a M42 is 5%.

[@messybench]

It cut the stainless the first time, so it's hard enough. The bigger the hole, the slower the speed. With stainless other than a pilot, holes always go slow and push hard. As soon as you go too fast, you overheat the bit, and it gets dull. Kudos on the paste lube, but be generous with that on stainless.

[@meangreen7389]

Well done and well explained vid. Thank you!

[@JST4CYL]

"Turn it around and hit it from the other side".... "we'll slow it down a little bit"...."go to another hole".... "definitely warm!"...."that really beat up the hole pretty good...let's try that one more time!" The importance of context kids is important lol😂😂😂😂

[@tennissir1986]

Well done video. Can a regular drill do this ? Should the surface around the hole be sealed with anything to prevent rust, etc ?

[@ManCaverTools]

Great video STR. I still need to get mo a step drill bit. I could really use one.

[@Shoptoolreviews]

Appreciate it. Yes, step bits are great to have.

[@jasonvandervalk3679]

I also use a sharpy. They do look like very good bits.

[@Shoptoolreviews]

They are good bits, but I wouldn't recommend them for Stainless Steel. Thanks for watching.

[@Steve0885]

Cobalt should be turned slow or will overheat

[@mt1885]

Where you get the CUTTING PASTE at ?

[@gomerhondo7249]

Spyder Mach-blue goo = available at Lowe’s for ~$10.00 a bottle.

[@mt1885]

@@gomerhondo7249 Thanks!

[@tsl7881]

Looks like grease. I may try that next time on out-of-position.

[@craigdave3266]

The klien is my favorite step bit they are expensive but I get them at swapmeet for a dollar then warranty at home Depot

[@Unbendable74]

I was chucking one of these in my Hercules drill and accidentally pressed the trigger. They’ll definitely cut through fingers lol.

[@d1pete88]

You should havecalled this video "what is a step drill and how to use it". I thought this was a test video to see if they were worth the price.

[@tsl7881]

Maybe practice using them before hand...and show us how to keep them from grabbing ( drill press?).

[@tensazero]

Help step drill bit. I'm stuck. What are you doing step drill bit?

[@mos8541]

Just ONE word, ONE.. Cutting Oil!

[@FahimibnDawud]

​@@mos8541Or two words..

[@vr4junkie385]

There good for the price

[@kc0lif]

nice drill bits

[@Junk4508]

Drills were painted on top.

[@jefffranks6213]

I think putting a drill bit in a quarter inch impact is the stupidest thing. Drill bits should never need a hammering action. A drill is for drilling impacts are for running screws/ hardware.

[@voxalto2392]

First

[@ns_racing]

🍪

[@FahimibnDawud]

Who gives a fukk?!

[@nomercyinc6783]

you should review the astro hyperstep bits. matcos patent expired

[@Shoptoolreviews]

Those are pretty sweet bits, and we do need to get them in the shop. Thanks for watching.

[@nomercyinc6783]

@@Shoptoolreviews for sure