Lenox has recently introduced new Vari-bit impact-rated step drill bits. I’d be willing to bet that their claim of 5X longer life and best-in-class performance still stands, despite Milwaukee’s launch being earlier than some other brands’ recent releases. I have a lot of trust and faith in the brand, and have watched over the years as they gradually expanded and improved their power tool accessory offerings. I don’t use impact-rated drill bits all that often, but when I do, I choose Milwaukee. Milwaukee makes the best reciprocating saw blades. Milwaukee makes among the best impact-rated screwdrivers bits. Is it worth it? Well, do you want to be able to use step drill bits with an impact driver?Īs mentioned, I’m open-minded about using step drills in an impact driver, but is it worth the premium, to be able to use a step drill in either a cordless drill or impact driver? I haven’t pulled the trigger yet – or reached out to Milwaukee to request a test sample even – but given my other experiences, Milwaukee would be my top choice when it comes time to giving impact-rated step drill bits a try. For instance, the smallest size (1/8″ to 1/2″) costs 50% more, and the size I use most frequently after that (#4, 3/16″ to 7/8″) costs 37.5% more. I still use my older Irwin Unibits from time to time, but I’ve come to rely on Milwaukee’s step drill bits and consider them best of all.Ĭompared to these step drill bits, the new impact-rated bits are quite a bit pricier. They’re designed for cordless drill use and feature 3-flat shanks for reduced slippage. I have used Milwaukee’s dual-flute step bits for a while, and with zero complaints. I have NOT used these yet, but I consider their predecessor/non-impact step drills to be the best available. The spiral flute design is said to allow the bits to produce 2X faster holes.Īs shown, these Shockwave step bits have a 1/4″ hex shank. Milwaukee says the shank has an optimized ShockZone, which presumably means greater resistance to impact energy, and larger laser-engraved markings. These relatively new Milwaukee impact step drill bits have a “titanium aluminum nitride (TiAIN) coating for 5X longer life” and “Rapid Strike Tip” for fast and accurate starts. I’m hoping that some of you will talk about your experiences and preferences as far as impact-rated step drill bits are concerned, with these brands or others.ĭo you even care about impact-rated step drills, or are you (like me) still using drills for such drilling operations? Milwaukee Shockwave Impact Step Drill BitsĪbout a year and a half ago, Milwaukee came out with new Shockwave impact-rated step drill bits, describing them as the longest-lasting and fastest-cutting impact step drill bits available, and they’re made in the USA (with global materials). Perhaps one brand would dip their toes into these waters in, but several brands, and at around the same time? Top power tool accessory brands wouldn’t put energy into developing high-performing impact-rated step drill bits if there wasn’t a strong market for them yet. I don’t mind it so far, and haven’t seen any performance downsides yet, but I don’t know if it’d be willing to accommodate the current 38% to 50% bump-up in cost for two of my frequently-used sizes compared to my currently-favored non-impact bits. I have gradually gotten over my avoidance of using impact drivers with drill bits and other hole-making accessories, but I have not yet found myself requiring a quick-change impact-rated step drill bit. The couple of testing and quick project experiences weren’t habit-altering – yet – but could be the start of a process. Only recently have I been willing to try using impact-rated step drills as they are intended to be used – with an impact driver. Personally, I still use cordless drills for a great majority of my drilling and hole-making tasks. Made in the USA with global materials, these step bits have best-in-class performance in cordless drills used on low-speed in stainless steel and high speed for mild steel.Here, I want to take a quick look at what top cordless power tool accessory brands have to offer in the area of impact-rated step drill bits. The elongated dual-flute design also offers you the best heat management combined with the smaller steps for smoothest drilling experience and a Rapid Strike tip that allows for 2X faster starts in stainless. The Cobalt Step Drill Bits are recommended up to 14ga. The Milwaukee Cobalt Step Drill Bits are engineered to deliver up to 15X the life in stainless compared to current solutions and up to 1000 holes in mild steel.
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