Metal step drills: the best solution for beginners and professionals

Step drills for metal (herringbones) are used when it is necessary to process sheet material, the thickness of which does not exceed 4 mm. The use of such products requires certain skills from the master. For the acquisition and correct operation of the necessary tool, it is recommended to pay attention to some nuances.

Step drills for metal: how they differ from conical

Stepped and tapered products have many common features. These tools primarily have similar facets. Their edges are very sharp, which greatly increases the efficiency of the tools during operation. The advantages of stepped and taper tools include that they save time and also make sheet metal easier to handle. The main disadvantage is the price of step drills for metal and tapered parts.

What are the differences between stepped and tapered products? The main distinguishing feature with which you can easily determine the type of drill is the design of the main element of the product - the head. This part, regardless of the type of tool, has a conical shape.

The stepped drill head includes several steps with sharp edges. This design increases the efficiency of the tool. In turn, tapered products are characterized by a smooth surface.

Shape features are the main criterion that distinguishes tapered products from step drills for metal. Tapered options are less expensive, but not very convenient to use. A stepped tool allows you to make a hole of the required diameter, even if a person has no experience with such a device. This is achieved by clearly dividing the part into steps (levels).

For what work can you use herringbone drills

Functional parts of this type are used to arrange holes in metal sheets.These drills belong to the category of specialized tools, so their cost is quite high. It is often this fact that stops buyers from buying. However, the purchase of such a product may be justified, for example, in the case when precision is required when performing work.

Each level of a stepped tool has a unique diameter that increases as it approaches the base. The convenience of this type of construction is undeniable, since it is very easy to select the desired diameter during drilling.

Such products are used to make holes in metal. Herringbone drills for metal are distinguished by high drilling quality. Moreover, this is noticeable even when processing very thin sheet material. Other drills do not allow you to make a straight hole in sheet metal up to 1 mm thick.

It should be said that stepped-type tools are used not only for metal processing. They can also be used for drilling holes in the following materials:

• plastic;
• drywall;
• tree.

If it is necessary to drill a hole in the pipe, it is also recommended to use a stepped metal drill. Reviews of such a tool can be found on the Internet. It should be said that stepped drills are often used for grinding the edges of holes made with other tools. Metal shavings can also be removed manually, but this is much more difficult.

Step drills for metal: the main advantages

Instruments of this type have many positive qualities that determine their high efficiency. Of course, the main disadvantage of such a product is its cost. The price for stepped parts varies from 2 to 5 thousand rubles. The following factors affect the final cost of a drill:

• material of manufacture;
• strength class;
• the presence of spraying.

The price of step drills is fully justified, since their advantages greatly simplify the work of drilling holes in various parts. One of the most significant advantages of such products is their versatility. One cutting tool can be used for a wide variety of tasks, which is very convenient.

Another plus of these drills is their high strength. Especially pay attention to their cutting edges. The strength characteristics of these elements not only ensure high accuracy during operation, but also extend the service life of the tool.

The speed of work is also a positive characteristic of these products. The herringbone drill bit is sharpened for use on very hard metal surfaces (eg stainless steel). A drill for metal is a specialized tool. When using it, there is no need to use additional devices (centering parts, etc.).

The design features of the stepped tool make it possible to make precise holes with smooth edges. Thus, when using such a product, there is no need to use a sander or file.

It is also worth noting that such products are installed both on hand-held drills and on professional stationary machines. Before purchasing a herringbone drill, it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with its varieties. This will allow you to select the best stepped drill bit for metal, taking into account individual criteria.

Conical Step Drill Design and Features

These tools are quite complex in design. Their configuration may differ depending on the variety. Let's consider in more detail what parts such products consist of. The top of the drill is represented by a pointed tip, which makes it possible to cut into metal of any density without much difficulty.

Other tools are also used for processing metal sheets, for example, crown. A drill for metal of this type does not require the use of auxiliary centering devices, however, it is not suitable for working with thin metal. Spiral analogs also do not allow you to accurately perform such work.

Stepped products are very effective when working with aluminum, steel, copper and other sheets and pipes. Tools of this type have a cone shape that includes 2 flutes. They facilitate drilling of materials. During operation, when moving to the next level, a chamfer is formed for the hole that is created by the previous step.

A 4-32 mm step drill for metal has an opposite end, which is mounted in the tool holder. The opposite end, or tail, has the most suitable design for this and consists of six faces. The advantages of such tools are undeniable, therefore they are recommended by many craftsmen for working with metal parts.

Varieties and sizes of stepped metal drills

The stepped tools used to organize holes are classified according to several criteria. In order to select the required product, it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with each of its types in more detail. The first factor that differentiates these drills is size. Depending on this criterion, the following drills are distinguished:

• small;
• medium;
• big.

Step drills also differ in coating material. Today you can buy cobalt drills for metal, as well as titanium counterparts. The second type of products has a higher strength, which is reflected in their cost.

Drills of this type are designed with a groove. The most common drills are those that have a straight flute. The second configuration option is the spiral arrangement of the channel. On sale you can find models that have a combined type of flute for chip evacuation (longitudinal spiral).

Note! Step drills need to be sharpened from time to time. Sharpening will be more difficult if the tool has a spiral groove.

Of course, one of the most important characteristics of any tool is its size. The steps in such a drill can have a different pitch. This figure may differ depending on the type of product. It is also worth paying attention to another important criterion - the diameter of the drill for metal. This parameter varies from 4 to 38 mm. The diameter limit may be lower. It all depends on the number of steps in the instrument. The height of one step is usually 0.5 cm.

The number and shape of the working grooves in stepped products

One of the most important indicators of such stepped tools is the number of cutting edges. It is important to understand that this parameter has nothing to do with drill steps. The cutting parts are located on the grooves of the tapered product. In addition to their main function, they perform one more: they remove the chips that are formed during operation.

The grooves can be of 3 types: straight, spiral, and longitudinal spiral. Each variety has its own advantages and disadvantages.An example is a straight edge that can be sharpened easily. However, it does not behave as smoothly during operation as the spiral one.

Despite the high cost, the stepped tool replaces the complete set of metal drills. It is much easier and more convenient to operate one product. The number of grooves is an indicator on which the quality of sheet metal processing depends. The drilling quality may differ depending on the speed at which the material is being processed.

When choosing a drill for making holes in a metal material, you need to focus on a few points. It is not recommended to purchase the first product that comes across, as it may not be suitable for a specific job.

Color of stepped drills used for metal processing

All stepped tools used for processing thin metal sheets are divided into quality groups. Identifying a particular drill is quite simple. All you need to do is pay attention to its color. Currently on sale you can find the following options for tools:

• gray;
• black;
• golden (dark);
• golden (bright).

Gray drills. This color indicates that the material for the manufacture of the product is ordinary steel, which has not undergone additional processing. These tools do not have high strength characteristics. Of the advantages of such devices, it is worth noting their low cost.

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Black. This color indicates that the steel product has undergone additional processing with steam heated to high temperatures. This enhances the performance of the tool and extends its service life. The price for such products is higher than for gray ones.

Note! The material and the product itself made from it must meet all the parameters specified in the GOST. Gray metal drills are not suitable for long-term operation.

Golden (dark). Such tools undergo quite intensive heat treatment. This type of procedure helps to eliminate stress in the metal product. The result is a durable part that is best suited for extended use. The cost of such drills is quite high.

The color of the drill is not related to its configuration. All products have a dedicated channel. The presence of the groove allows for efficient drilling of metal. Special curved channels can be found in other products that are used for drilling metal. A good example in this case are self-tapping screws for metal with a drill.

Golden (bright). Another option for stepped drills. This color is obtained by applying a special protective titanium coating to the surface of the product. Such tools have the highest durability.

Criteria for choosing step drills for metal: which is better to buy

When choosing such products, it is recommended to pay attention not only to their color, but also to some other points. For example, a high-quality tool 4-32 mm costs at least 1 thousand rubles. The dependence of the price on the diameter can be traced not only for stepped products. A 3 mm twist drill for metal will cost less than the same tool with a 10 mm section.

Drills produced by domestic companies, as a rule, have a more attractive cost. However, experts give preference to products that were made by foreign manufacturers. The working life of drills of German and American brands is much higher.

When choosing, you need to pay attention to the final and initial diameters. In this case, a certain pattern can be traced. The more steps, the higher the cost of the tool. As an alternative to the stepped product, a spiral attachment kit is available. Drills for metal of 10 mm or more are still not so good at work. However, the cost of such a kit is usually lower.

There is a special marking to determine quality steel. The letters HSS are indicated on the body of a product designed for processing metal sheets at high speeds. In this case, the quality of the steel does not allow the drill to deform, even with strong overheating.

Another important criterion to consider is the ability to sharpen the tool multiple times. This procedure is regulated by regulatory documents (GOST). Thus, if you wish, you can familiarize yourself with all the nuances of this operation and carry out it yourself.

How to sharpen a drill for metal: step by step instructions

In the process of using a stepped tool, its edges become dull. Sharpening allows them to return to their previous characteristics. It is easiest to entrust such work to qualified specialists. Therefore, it is recommended to contact specialized workshops that can be found in every city. This option has the following advantages:

• the diameter of all tool levels is preserved;
• the correct angle of the cutting edges is not violated;
• the possibility of overheating the product is excluded.

You can also sharpen a drill for metal yourself at home. However, to do this, you must carefully read the basic rules that must be followed during work.

It is worth knowing that the cutting edges of each step must necessarily be the same. Sharpening shouldn't damage them. Observance of the exact original dimensions guarantees high-quality sharpening. After completing this procedure, the angle corresponding to the planes of the edges should be the same as before the start of sharpening.

Before starting such work, you need to prepare a support stand. An even more correct way out is to fix the drill. The moving element is much easier to damage during sharpening. It is important to remember that abrasive materials are used for this procedure, which are classified as fine-grained.

Various devices can be used for these purposes. Drill sharpening for metal is best done on a machine. This equipment must contain a dedicated abrasive disc. The outer surface of such a tool contains fine grit sandpaper.

The quality of the work done is fairly easy to determine. To do this, you need to pay attention to the shape of the chips that are formed during the drilling process. If the sharpening was done without errors, the chips will be the correct size.

Sharpening a drill for metal with your own hands using hand tools is performed when the drill has a straight groove. It is not recommended to process instruments with a spiral channel without special equipment. To perform this operation, you can also use a grinder and a special circle.

The price of conical step drills for metal: an overview

At cost cone drills, the design of which assumes the presence of steps, are influenced by several main factors. Various materials can be used to make these types of tools. Titanium drills are more expensive because they are highly durable and have a longer service life.

The difference in cost is also predetermined by the tool diameter. Herringbone-shaped products, which are coated with titanium, can be purchased at a specialized store or place an order online. You can buy a 4-20 mm tool for about 450 rubles. The price of drills for metal with a large number of steps (4-32 mm) can reach 1100-1200 rubles. It should be noted that this cost is inherent in domestic products.

Foreign counterparts may have a higher price, which on average is 4 thousand rubles. The Bosch tool, the maximum diameter of which is 39 mm, costs about 5 thousand rubles. And even this amount is not the limit when it comes to step drills.

Note! The high cost of such tools requires careful selection. The modern market is replete with a variety of fakes, the quality of which leaves much to be desired. To eliminate the likelihood of buying a low-quality product, it is recommended to purchase drills from only trusted manufacturers.

The price range of step drills for metal is quite wide. The most correct decision is to purchase an instrument located in the middle price range. Before you buy this or that drill, it should be noted that the seller must have a certificate for such products.

A step drill is a professional tool that has a long working life and allows you to make holes in metal without the use of auxiliary parts. When choosing such an element, it is necessary to focus on individual criteria, such as the nature of the work and its frequency. It is also worth considering the material of manufacture, diameter, shape of the grooves and the manufacturer. If you wish, you can always consult with the seller, who will help you choose the right product.