The quality difference between the various brands is rather surprising. I thought they would be more evenly matched. Thanks to everyone for helping support the videos through your generous Patreon support. www.patreon.com/projectfarm. I look forward to reading your comments and video ideas. Thanks again! Products Tested In This Video (in no particular order): Step drill bits: DeWalt: amzn.to/2QhvwKh Makita: amzn.to/3hrSaLW Milwaukee Shockwave: amzn.to/2EaW3GV Temo: amzn.to/2EjkgKQ Bosch Turbo: amzn.to/2EqBFkH Lenox VB8: amzn.to/2QeFsUQ Hercules: bit.ly/2Ym6Apz Diablo: amzn.to/2EeoL9V Irwin: amzn.to/3hewini Klein:amzn.to/31czjiy Harbor Freight Drillmaster: Neiko: amzn.to/2Qdj5iU Bauer: bit.ly/3l7xZpc
Cannot believe how quick the dewalt went though it all compeared to the others. It was actually for once in a while a shock as I expected diablo to well. I cant deny though I bought some of those HHS dewalt bits you tested. I'm mightily impressed
I saw a fellow at the "supercenter" buying a car battery. I asked if he had seen your videos and he was a big fan. Auto dept manager said he was a fan, too! You have a large following in North Alabama!
I asked the guy in a San Antonio, TX Costco's tire department where the Kirkland oil was & he asked me if I'd seen the Project Farm UA-cam oil Comparison. I said to him "Sir..... I'm a subscriber to the Channel".
Bro, i dont know how you can make money(except patreon) without any sponsorship from any of these brands, you work so hard in each and every one of your videos and spend so much of your time making them, you are so straight forward, never had to skip any of your videos because they are so straight forward and tells only the things that everyone need to know unlike some youtubers who talks s**t for half of the videos and most of the time irreverent. Love your videos, why arent you one of the top 5 youtubers is beyond my imagination. Also how you react with the viewers is rare with most of the youtubers. Love from Bangladesh.
He make money by posting Videos on UA-cam, every 100K views is about $200 or more, And then Patreon. This videos as of this time has 300K views, which is about $600+ in one day. I'm super Glad he does not shill out and take a sponsorship!
@@ProjectFarm Might sound weird, but I'd be interested in a video dedicated to showing how adamant you are about not accepting sponsorships. I'm sure companies hound you all the time and aren't keen on taking 'no' for an answer. Also maybe companies trying to refute or argue with your findings. Of course this is assuming that such things are actually a reality.
You just cannot get this kind of information anywhere else but here. What a wonderful channel you have sir. I was in testing at the F.D.O.T. for more than 30 years and have to tell you that your testing techniques are spot on. Excellent information.
@@ProjectFarm - im still praising you for the battery test and showing how pathetic china made batteries are. that was first video of yours i've seen. you are like the most useful UA-cam channel on UA-cam. we actually gain real and usuable knowledge... sides that lol.. see now i can go ahead and consider paying 40 bucks for one bit...like 4 ounces of steel for 40 bucks lmao... thats a hard one for me to swallow and i needed see wtf it cost that much for. i don't have a drill press. they are too stationary for me. i always need a drill on hand. not at a central location and i commonly making random holes where i need one. so a drill press just doesn't fit my usual need for a drill. so but im hoping that a bit like this is ok to use in a regular hand drill. oh and hey LOL.. i had no idea how important it is for a slow rpm until i bought a ceramic bit to put just 4 bolt holes into a bathroom sink that i was making. never tried drilling through ceramic or porcelain befor... dude. i made one F'ING hole and half way through the second hole.. the bit was demolitioused. boy i was pissed. at that rate, i would of need to have bought 4 bits and spent 50 bux on them dam bits. i seen on the back of the bit package to use lower rpm's for this material...i didn't have a clue that fast rpm's was actually very bad for the bit and does not speed up the drilling what so ever...yeah i seen that after the first hole an the bit was mostly F'D!!! lol.. live and learn or simply come get educated on this handy stuff...AT YOUR CHANNEL! :) THANKS for all your extra extra...extra work you put into this. oh and btw... i never bought any step bits befor and i would of likely tried the cheapest first and likely..very likely would of got a bad taste in my mouth to try any others. now i know..yeah..they work but you need to go straight to the 30+ dollar range from the start. thanks bud :)
Hey Man, I really enjoy all your testing videos. I especially appreciate that you make sure that your testing methods are consistent throughout the test procedure. This is like a Consumer Reports for technicians. Thanks!
This comment, is one of the nicest I've seen on YT. That being said, my fellow American's don't seem to take pride in such anymore, but would seem to hug one another just to stab them in the back. I agree wholeheartedly, and think we need more instilled in our children, as opposed to current annoying, and seemingly morally and ethically corrupt generation of runts. Thank you, for the hope you've given.
@@UnityThroughTruth if you want to fix the new generation of kids you should've started by talking about the parents but no just blame some kids that had bad parents
@@ryukobestwaifu3319 I know right?, Seems like the people complaining about the youth so much are usually people that raised monsters lol. People talk about the dissolution of the american family, and I can attest to that. My family dissolved into alcoholism and denial, and I'm certainly suffering as a result. Before people talk about the annoying, morally and ethically corrupt generation of runts.. How many children have you (NightOwlAnon) fostered successfully, or are you a school teacher? oh, none, and you are not a teacher.. then you are actually only contributing to the problem you are complaining about. Seems a bit hypocritical if I do say so. I'm not saying that it's bad to point out problems that you can't/won't fix yourself, I'm saying you should not blame the runts themselves. It's rarely their fault lol. Back to the topic at hand. Project Farm content is the best! Thank you for instilling positive, constructive tendencies in our youth, and the rest.
Another great video. Having used the Unibit brand for my career as an Electrician I found that using a standard twist drill for a pilot hole worked very well. Usually, the tip would wear out while the rest of the bit would last forever. Take care.
Some industry insider info: In 99% of cases these "titanium" coatings are not TiN titanium nitride or really anything other than decorative gold colored plating. In the beginning, and still on most CNC tooling but not on retail market options anymore, this was a real coating with a measurable effect. For reference, the cost for us to TiN or TiALN through chemical vapor deposition a bit this size is similar cost to making the bit itself. Now in its fake form, it's essentially just a marketing ploy and a way the manufacturer or brand doesn't have to advertise the base material, people see Titanium and think it's made from titanium. Using quality M2 HSS or M35/M42 cobalt is expensive, using one of the lesser grades plentiful in CN and slapping this coating on it is the go to move among almost everyone now. Astro's not found much in retail, so i understand why our 9442 step drills were not included, but it would be interesting to see for sure since we've done very similar tests here.
@@TheConstantComet I buy most of my astro stuff off amazon, pretty good quality and also nice to see astro talking to their end users here and on garage journal.
Thanks again for another educational, and eye opening video. I always thought step drill bits were those 'when you have nothing else usable' type bits. Of course that was based on my experience with HF units. However, I now see there is a major difference between brands and prices paid. You are fast becoming the go to for product testing in my book. Keep up the good, no, great work and thanks again.
I can't believe the timing of this video, I was just looking into buying a step drill bit for my work. unbelievable, you are awesome. thanks for sharing.
Before I go to the hardware store to get a tool or tape,glue,ECT. I always watch videos from project farm thinking that il just se what product is best, but due to his professionalism, well thought out videos, and how he gives products a equal chance, I end up watching the whole video. None of the products he proved superior have give out on me yet under frequent use. Thanks Project Farm!
I am a retired commercial/industrial electrician. I bought a Greenlee step bit 30 years ago and used it just about every day for a few decades. This thing is still razor sharp and never ceases to function. It has never failed me. I'm not sure you can even get them anymore. This was made during the period where Makita was the only game in town for cordless drills and the batteries were only 7.5 volts. I think the bit was designed to work well with these severely under-powered drills.
Wow, as a car audio installer, I've been using HF step drils for years. But it looks like I'm gonna have to bit the bullet and purchase some Dewalt step drills. I think this has to be the most definitive video you've ever produced.
Switch to the Neiko a while back and they last way longer than the Horrible Freight ones. Not going to buy Dewalt and such because we use them in stainless steel and so far it eats up every brand.
I was installing equipment in emergency vehicles and used the HF cobalt step bits regularly in stainless with good results. I think it's telling that it was able to perform very well at half the price of the DeWalt, even if it wasn't the fastest
6:32 Here's an interesting plot idea: do a scatter plot, time versus price. That way we can easily see which one's overpriced and which one's a bargain. Would be nice to see this in future episodes.
I don’t buy anything anymore until I watch these tests. They contradict “you get what you pay for”, brand loyalty, bias about country of manufacture… just the facts! Thank you so much!
Electrician here: I use that 3 pack of harbor freight step bits all the time with the 1/4 inch hex where it chucks into the drill. I thank you for your time and efforts. I use the carbide hole saws for conduit connectors into boxes, simply no substitute for them. I'll give that dewalt step bit a try. thank you, I watch every video you make... every one of them!
You may want to look into Greenlee hole saws and sawsall blades. I too am an Electrician and have found that currently they make the best. You may want to get a bottle of thread cutting fluid. As in the video high pressure slow speed is the way to go. Most importantly do not loan out anything. It will get broken, lost or stolen there by killing your production..
I’m sure you get enough of that but you are the only person to get me to sign up for patreon. You really are doing a service to us DIYers and I can’t support you enough!
I finally got some Mac branded bits (expensiver than frig but warrantied for life) and i haven’t ever been happier, cobalt makes short work of even the nastiest steels.
Just purchased a set of 3 bits by dewalt, from a electrical supply company, total value 92.00, add in the employee discount, I purchased for 73 tax included. I had no idea how the bits compared until this video, and you verified my purchase was a good one. Thank-you.
I wish I had piloted before using my step bit last weekend. Incredibly awkward position in a cargo hold trying to drill through an aluminum bracket. Thought it was stainless steel given the time and effort before the bit got started
I have used Temo for a while doing electrical work and saw very quickly they were far better than Milwaukee and even diablo. Never saw Dewalt in stock but it's nice to see I always chose the best bit after watching these tests.
@@ProjectFarm Bought Temo a few years ago when doing some trailer repair to see if real Cobalt would make a difference vs the $9 for a 3-pack step bits at the store. As you've proven here there is a huge difference, nice to see personal experiences mirrored in your tests!
There is a reason why I prefer using twist drills. They really work when they are M42 bits. But when you want to just have a bit or two the step bits rule. Now I know which one to buy. Thank you for testing the step bits. You really did an amazing job with your setups. Keep on making videos for me to watch. Good day and peace too. VF
I wish they made drills with straight flutes like a step drill, twist drills tendency to auto feed causes no end of problems for me, just as they break through they bind and snap off, and if it's a soft metal, or the hole is too close to the size of the bit it binds and snaps off.
@@lovotcore6946 they do, but you have to drill a pilot hole first. They're called a reamer , yeah yeah I know, but they are still a type of drill and straight fluted too. Hmm might try sharpening one up and try it out.
@@lovotcore6946 You can get drills with all kinds of geometries. The usual is an up-cutting spiral flute. There are also straight flute and down cutting spiral flute drills (the down-cutting bit helps with your problem but tends to pack deep holes with the swarf.) In addition, the point of a drill has an angle and you can get drills with typically 118degree or 135 degree points. There are several other parts of drill geometry that can be varied, too, to suit your application.
@@kezzatries Let me know if that works, reamers usually have several cutting surfaces, which would make it more difficult to get a drill point on one, also usually don't have very much gullet since they are supposed to finish a hole, not make one, so they likely will have problems getting rid of the chips.
I like this suggestion a lot since everyone is so biased to their "special tools". In my experience though, most of them work pretty well for most people. I use Dewalt tools, most of my buddies swear by Milwaukee. They refuse to agree that both brands are good at what they do. I have watched other channels to testing, but this is the only channel I would truly trust at the end of the day with the results. Keep up the great work!
@@josueguillen5053 The vid demonstrated it handling armor plating pretty well... If you can go into a tank with it, I think it'll do pretty well in durability =)
As an electrician I have used many different kinds of step bits, I would have never thought that DeWalt would have ever stood a chance, like you I have always been disappointed with all step bits. Thank you, I am getting a DeWalt tomorrow!
@@BruceLortzHI I agree that would make a cool playlist, but a serious stamp this channel leaves is its accuracy and unbiased opinions. By doing that it would hurt the channel overall. Mabye he could do a second less serious channel where he just does casual comparisons?
I have watched you for a while and was so surprised how much you respond to your comments, now here you are at 1.24 MILLION subscribers and you are still at it, absolutely astonishing. Keep up the good work!
Love your channel man! Having recently started my plumbing/hvac career I find your channel to be invaluable. Before I make ANY tool purchases I always come here to see if you have a video about it. Thank you!
You never cease to amaze me with how you do your experiments. I love that you do all this stuff in the name of science in a fashion that just about any guy with a garage could do. I enjoy how you always rig up a way to measure results and to have a level playing field for each competitor. I'd like to see you do a video where you just talk about how you come up with your experiments and follow the scientific method. I really appreciate your work.
I see tool commercials on television all the time. With how great and accurate your tests are pretty soon we're going to see commercials that are going to be saying 'this tool is Project Farm approved'
As an amateur i only use step drills for holes larger than my biggest drill bit. As i always drill a pilot hole when drilling larger holes, the cheap brand less step drill served me well so far.
Thanks Project Farm, once again you knocked it out of the park with another unbiased testing video. You perform a great public service by helper us consumers purchase the best product for the money. God Bless.
One of the best channels on YT! Thanks for all your hard work. Also big thanks for the pace, lack of crappy music or intros, not repeating yourself and generally being concise about everything you do! Cheers
Id love to see different taps. break one off and there goes your afternoon. Edit: possibly twist shear strength. Hardness. And sharpness (torque to cut the threads).
Love your reviews. Please don't EVER go mainstream and stay independent🙏. You're by far the best most honest, trustworthy review channel I've ever seen! Keep up the great work good sir!
I think this is a very unbiased test, and shows the capability of the bits. I believe these bits belong in mild steel and not much else. There maybe some improvement in bit performance and longevity of the bits with cooling and lubrication, as heat maybe contributing to the destruction of the chisels and disrupting the bit's progression through the material. Regardless, unbiased testing, and very good work.
I love that this one machining channel has such open and flat scientific rigor. Much more refreshing than some channels putting to random things against eachother with no controls.
Well, thanks for the buyers remorse. 1/4--3/4" step drill on the Matco truck yesterday cost , me $78. And refused to hog out a 1/2" grade 8 flat washer to 5/8". Made in China to Matco specs.
I'm extremely impressed with how you run your tests. The results are legitimate and really help me make the right decision when purchasing items you've tested. Next to VCG Construction this is easily one of my favorite channels to watch when I need more info on products I may need for work. I hope you continue to grow this channel
@@chimera91977 that's insane, what is there to like about that.?!? I'm jk it's also one of my favorites. To be honest I can't think of any "tool" related channels I don't like.
Its his delivery that seals it! Such a smooth vocal cadence combined with a no-nonsense delivery. Watching right before bedtime is almost a meditative act!
You'd probably like, though might not think so at first, MARBLE RACING videos. They have great sporting event commentary too, and it's way better than it sounds.
I subscribe a few weeks ago and have really enjoyed your videos. I appreciate the fact that you remain self funded to eliminate any doubts as to the results of your test. Thank you for producing such informative and entertaining videos. You can tell you put a lot of time and effort into making sure they are worthy of the subscribers time and support.
Compared to tour other vudeos, I really likenthis ine. The way you're speaking in a lower mire chill tone and not repeating the name of the product is so much better and less fatiguing to watch.
If this channel ever ends, we will all be worse off in this life. Thanks for the time and energy you put into videos that show which industries are really putting customers and society in the best position! Seriously diligent work being done by you!
Genuinely amazed, i've had a few of these over the years and never had any good results with them on steel, i even had one go blunt after drilling polycarbonate! So seeing these chew through steel and even armor plate was a real shock, as with so much it seems $15 ebay "bargains" are not the way to go, pay more get better results.
Just have to get molybdenum cobalt drills, that's what the Teemo and Dewalt are. M35 or M42 gets rockwell hardnesses much higher than standard HSS, works great in pretty much all materials. Lasts forever in wood and plastic. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-speed_steel#Molybdenum_High_Speed_Steels_(HSS)
You could use a hole saw in a hole saw, high speed low pressure. By that I mean if your arbor has long enough threads you can put on a larger hole saw first with a second smaller one inside for the pilot bit. Smaller one would be the same size as the old hole and the larger would be the desired size.
Just bought the DeWalt step bit and excited to try it out. Price now in 2/2022 is up $7 to $50.01 Thank you for the content, looking forward to more content.
This man is one of the best reviewers of products I have ever encountered. His service offers real and useful information that help you make informed decisions about products.
"it's got a 5 star Amazon review. Builders swear by it. I've heard that God uses it. It's made from actual unicorn horn." "I don't care. What does Project Farm have to say about it?"
Great test, I wish I had seen this before wasting $50 on a Klein step bit thinking it was better. Later I bought a Milwaukie set and it performed much better. Next will be the Temo or Dewalt based on your amazing tests!
@@ProjectFarmDoubt you will see this, but the most important part for me is that the bit is lead free....I am having a hard time finding a lead free step drill bit....do you know if any of these are?
Sir, you never fail to impress me. I am always impressed by your "workarounds" to minimize the sources of error in your measurements. The bike wheel & scale for tip pressure was positively ingenious.! I have seen NOBODY with a video on You Tube who compares to you for thoroughness, error minimization, & integrity. Cooling the armor plate so that all bits had a level playing field is just a further example of your cleverness & thoroughness. As usual, my hat is off to you sir !
I have Milwaukee so its all I can comment on, but they leave a fantastic clean hole while with a nice chamfer on plastics and thin metals. I've use on mild steel, aluminum, and 304 stainless sheets amongst various plastic with great results.
Agreed, I'd love to see a followup to this one, testing them on thinner materials. Perhaps the less aggressive straight flute design would cause less pulling and difficulty of control on thin sheet or more delicate materials...
You know it's a bad day when.."A CEO comes in and learns his product was just tested on Project Farm and their BS marketing claims were proved to be BS"..🤣
A bad day indeed., for the B-S marketing claims. Project Farm put's another notch in his belt. I'm thinking, he's gonna need another belt, real soon. LOL!!!
For work purposes as a mechanic I use Mac brand step bits. Titanium cobalt, comes in a set with 3 different sizes and I bought them on sale for about $110 with a lifetime warranty. These will last all winter long mostly drilling through truck frames for plow installs. Some of the best I've tested so far! Keep up the great work, love the videos!
As an electrician we use a lot of hole saws to knock holes in steel and stainless boxes. Our typical best performance hole saw is the Milwaukee thin blade. Could you make a video testing which is best?
Alex Apol depends on the size of the hole and if we have any knockout sets avaliable. But for something like a 3/4”-2” knockout, a carbide tipped hole saw used correctly works way faster than drilling a 3/8”-1/2” hole then using a knockout.
@@ActingLikeABoss I like the punch out tool for less metal shards in existing work. But if new work, a quick vacuum would be faster than setting up the punch.
Tool performance claims are not regulated, so it seems they just say what they want. Another great test! Keep it up. Some of my favorite content on UA-cam
It still falls under false advertising laws, hence why they word it so vaguely. 2x faster, 3x longer life, yet they don't specify against what drilling in what kind of material. Dewalt said 2x longer life than Lenox, but didn't specify which Lenox model. They could be comparing their high speed steel step drill to plain or alloy high carbon steel step drills.
I've never bought or used a step drill bit and probably would have bought the Diablo if I had not seen your video since I like the brand and they usually perform very well. Your videos save people time and money. I think this is one of the best channels on the internet. Good work.
Great video. The benefit of a step drill is so you can drill into thinner metal without the bit grabbing the material, pulling it off the table, and spinning it like a blade. When you use any bit with spiral flutes, even a step drill, the material will try to screw itself up the flutes. That is why most of them have straight flutes. The spiral flute DeWalt may have been the fastest, but I wouldn't trust it not to grab in sheet metal. Just my two cents. But I do love your reviews. Just subscribed!
Yeah, same here, the point of step drills is their performance in sheet metal, not thick plate The plate definitely gave a good idea of which brands are made of better steel and have better split points, but it doesn't quite reflect what step drills are for. I stay away from the spiral flutes, too.
Would be greatly beneficial to have an online catalog where one might be able to search for specific products you've tested. Not too long ago I was at harbor freight trying to remember which tire pump you used that was better than its peer group; I did get the right one.
FYI: A single-flute step bit intrinsically cuts more slowly than a dual-flute bit, because it has only one cutting edge. But single-flute bits do a better job of drilling round (non-eccentric) holes in difficult materials.
I actually have the opposite experience. It always seemed to me the single flute Irwin would walk the hole sideways so the hole would not be centered where you want it
Why do reamers have so many flutes then? If you need a straight and center hole in hard material, drill it undersize and use a reamer. These are more for sloppy work when any hole will do.
I’m a avid Milwaukee user and swear by it but dewalt takes the cake when it comes to their drill bit holder, extensions, step bit, and drill bits. I hate most black and yellow stuff but gotta give them their credit when it’s due
Would you rate dewalt drill bits over the Milwaukee red hex impact bits? Dewalt don't seem to make a complete set of metric impact bits, it's a nightmare trying to find them
Dewalt has always been my go-to for bits and accessories. Trying to settle on a good Battery Powered Tool Family so I don't have a fustercluck of different chargers. Seriously pondering Milwaukee...
I need a project farm shopping app. Many times I've been in Walmart, home Depot, auto parts store and have referenced your videos before a purchase. I don't need to spend more time in store watching UA-cam. I need to get to work. If I could quickly select a category and view your graphs, that would be fantastic.
I've actually made an excel spreadsheet with all of the categories and listed the top two from each so that when I need to buy something PF has tested I know exactly what to buy.
Halfway I just realised I will never in my life will need to professionally drill in to metal. But as you put that much effort in to comparison, and straight to the point, without empty chit chat, I'll watch it to the end. And like it of course.
So, buy the TEMO, put it in your toolbox, and in a couple of years you can pat yourself on the back and say, "Wow! I had that thing so long, and it really worked when I needed it!"
Thank you for what you do. The weighted wheel design was genius in regulating downforce also could be stated as Automation. Attention to detail Is another attribute you have, proving that your tests are accurate and fair.
I was really curious about this because I thought maybe I just had a unicorn step bit in my Hercules bit that has lasted me ages and hundreds of holes drilled. I've gotten massive ROI from it 😂. I use oil basically every time I use it, even with aluminum so maybe that is why, but I definitely didn't expect it to last more than a few months and I'm going on a few years now with it
I did HVAC duct cleaning for a while about 30 years ago and we used Uni-Bit step bits, which are now made by Irwin. I think they may have been a brand unto their own at the time, but I don't remember for sure. I drilled through many a sheet metal air duct with them, and they worked great and seemed to never dull. Thin material is where they really shine, and sheet metal is probably their home turf. They leave clean edges free of burrs, that don't cut you the instant you touch them. Really useful for their intended purpose.
Just an update for anyone who is interested...Today, November 11, 2024.....the DeWalt (DWA1786IR) is $23.99.... TEMO is still $29.99 on Amazon. Locally, I could not find either of these in Fort Worth. Thanks for an amazing video. The number of step bits in stock at most home stores will make your head explode. Thanks for helping us save money and keeping our sanity at a respectable level....lol. Great content as always brother.
"We're gonna test that." Hell yeah. Many videos that were quite helpful. Todd keeps it interesting too. And helps save hard earned money and first hand frustrations.
Great, Wish we could buy some of the brands u feature in my country. I brought a DeWalt set few months ago. Real happy with them. Hope you and your family are keeping well & Safe. Hope Your giving ya-self some time away from answering every comment. You know for ya own sanity. lol
@@240sxRule same... I squinted and put my hand in front of my face as if I were expecting it come out of the chuck, fling across the shop, through the camera, out of my monitor, and hit me in the eyes.
Todd, another great video! I can share some of my cutting tool expertise I learned from making shanks in the joint: Spiral will have an advantage over straight. This creates positive rake geometry similar to your control bit. The HSS Colbalt tools are the superior material of choice and are often used in commercial metal cutting. The TiN coating offers very little advantage due to the fact of it's vapor deposition process film is around .0002 in. thick. The host metal here are not hard enough to provide utilization. It is, however, a lovely inexpensive marketing gimmick here to sell a gold plated bit. Keep up the great work!
In the electrical field step drill bits or "unibits" are an invaluable tool to have for hole making but mainly for enlarging existing holes without breaking out a knockout set. With the exception of stainless most boxes and panels are usually a mild soft steel and most brands I have used will last a long time if you keep your rpm at a reasonable rate and use some oil. Irwin bits are good but all sizes can be had with or without cobolt for drilling stainless or hardened steel. I think Klein step bits are rebranded irwins. Greenlee bits are good as well but I think they are rebranded Lenox. I have a handful of those swiss make Bosch bits that I haven't used yet but seem to be very high quality.
Ok... I'm a hardened Milwaukee guy, I only use a Dewalt bag to carry my Milwaukee tools so they won't get stolen. but, facts is facts. You've convinced me. Thank again for another Great vid.
The quality difference between the various brands is rather surprising. I thought they would be more evenly matched. Thanks to everyone for helping support the videos through your generous Patreon support. www.patreon.com/projectfarm. I look forward to reading your comments and video ideas. Thanks again!
Products Tested In This Video (in no particular order): Step drill bits:
DeWalt: amzn.to/2QhvwKh
Makita: amzn.to/3hrSaLW
Milwaukee Shockwave: amzn.to/2EaW3GV
Temo: amzn.to/2EjkgKQ
Bosch Turbo: amzn.to/2EqBFkH
Lenox VB8: amzn.to/2QeFsUQ
Hercules: bit.ly/2Ym6Apz
Diablo: amzn.to/2EeoL9V
Irwin: amzn.to/3hewini
Klein:amzn.to/31czjiy
Harbor Freight Drillmaster:
Neiko: amzn.to/2Qdj5iU
Bauer: bit.ly/3l7xZpc
Have you ever thought about putting your spirit animal on your merchandise?? Or an animal you like that represents you?
You remind me of a Steve I met in the past.
Maybe take the winners and beat them till the no-longer drill? That's my usual issue with step bits only get a handful of holes out of them.
Cannot believe how quick the dewalt went though it all compeared to the others. It was actually for once in a while a shock as I expected diablo to well. I cant deny though I bought some of those HHS dewalt bits you tested. I'm mightily impressed
@@CrazyBikerGuy I thought diablo would walk off with it so it blew me away too.
I saw a fellow at the "supercenter" buying a car battery. I asked if he had seen your videos and he was a big fan. Auto dept manager said he was a fan, too! You have a large following in North Alabama!
Thank you very much!
That's really cool. I have been watching him for a few years now, and it is great how popular he has become. It is totally deserved.
Dude, I'm in Brazil and I'm a big fan as well!! LOL
I asked the guy in a San Antonio, TX Costco's tire department where the Kirkland oil was & he asked me if I'd seen the Project Farm UA-cam oil Comparison. I said to him "Sir..... I'm a subscriber to the Channel".
Same here in Northern Wisconsin! Everyone I know says they love the videos
I am from Russia and we do not even have all those brands here, but I keep watching your videos because they are so relaxing and well made!
Thank you so much!
And as you saw, you dont need them. Makita and Bosch are fine in price and performence and you cant buy them in russia.
@@kofsomething You must have been watching some other video because that sure isn't what I saw.
Bro, i dont know how you can make money(except patreon) without any sponsorship from any of these brands, you work so hard in each and every one of your videos and spend so much of your time making them, you are so straight forward, never had to skip any of your videos because they are so straight forward and tells only the things that everyone need to know unlike some youtubers who talks s**t for half of the videos and most of the time irreverent. Love your videos, why arent you one of the top 5 youtubers is beyond my imagination. Also how you react with the viewers is rare with most of the youtubers. Love from Bangladesh.
Thanks for sharing!
I think you said what many people here think and feel too awkward to say in these terms 😆
@@johnnyjimj im not that good in English so i just spoke my mind 😅
He make money by posting Videos on UA-cam, every 100K views is about $200 or more, And then Patreon. This videos as of this time has 300K views, which is about $600+ in one day.
I'm super Glad he does not shill out and take a sponsorship!
@@ProjectFarm Might sound weird, but I'd be interested in a video dedicated to showing how adamant you are about not accepting sponsorships. I'm sure companies hound you all the time and aren't keen on taking 'no' for an answer. Also maybe companies trying to refute or argue with your findings.
Of course this is assuming that such things are actually a reality.
You just cannot get this kind of information anywhere else but here. What a wonderful channel you have sir. I was in testing at the F.D.O.T. for more than 30 years and have to tell you that your testing techniques are spot on. Excellent information.
Thanks and you are welcome!
Yeah, is like the Comsumer Reports of useful/handyman items.
Consumer. Fat fingered on my phone.
@@ProjectFarm - im still praising you for the battery test and showing how pathetic china made batteries are. that was first video of yours i've seen. you are like the most useful UA-cam channel on UA-cam. we actually gain real and usuable knowledge...
sides that lol.. see now i can go ahead and consider paying 40 bucks for one bit...like 4 ounces of steel for 40 bucks lmao... thats a hard one for me to swallow and i needed see wtf it cost that much for.
i don't have a drill press. they are too stationary for me. i always need a drill on hand. not at a central location and i commonly making random holes where i need one. so a drill press just doesn't fit my usual need for a drill. so but im hoping that a bit like this is ok to use in a regular hand drill.
oh and hey LOL.. i had no idea how important it is for a slow rpm until i bought a ceramic bit to put just 4 bolt holes into a bathroom sink that i was making. never tried drilling through ceramic or porcelain befor... dude. i made one F'ING hole and half way through the second hole.. the bit was demolitioused. boy i was pissed. at that rate, i would of need to have bought 4 bits and spent 50 bux on them dam bits. i seen on the back of the bit package to use lower rpm's for this material...i didn't have a clue that fast rpm's was actually very bad for the bit and does not speed up the drilling what so ever...yeah i seen that after the first hole an the bit was mostly F'D!!! lol..
live and learn or simply come get educated on this handy stuff...AT YOUR CHANNEL! :)
THANKS for all your extra extra...extra work you put into this.
oh and btw... i never bought any step bits befor and i would of likely tried the cheapest first and likely..very likely would of got a bad taste in my mouth to try any others. now i know..yeah..they work but you need to go straight to the 30+ dollar range from the start.
thanks bud :)
I could be watching Netflix,twitch,tv,or even a DVD,but I'm here,watching absolute great quality content.
Thank you very much!
Absolutely amazing content. I work at a automotive/hardware store and you are the reason I can stay properly informed on what I’m selling. Don’t stop.
Lol agreed, I honestly dont know too much about drill bits but here I am for some reason :)
That's exactly what I'm saying.
I actually closed Netflix and endet up on this channel yet again. And I don't even own step drills, nor am I planning to get one any time soon
It is SO DANG REFRESHING seeing such well controlled tests on UA-cam. And with excellent production & narration?? Grateful for your content!
Thanks so much!
Ditto.
Been following you for years, I've never needed a step bit literally until today and bam... you post this. Love your work, man!
Awesome! Thank you!
He’s watching you
@@supermoon1430 😂
He really has good timing, no?
It' s him and Google
Hey Man, I really enjoy all your testing videos. I especially appreciate that you make sure that your testing methods are consistent throughout the test procedure. This is like a Consumer Reports for technicians. Thanks!
Thanks!
Agreed! 👌😎👍
Your testing and reviews are always top notch.
Thank you very much!
Uncle Bud’s Cookhouse agreed
Yep, the best!
Todd, I bet that you drove your science teacher nuts with questions. Again great job!
They are always a step above the rest
Only Project Farm can make a 15min video about drill bits and keep millions of people interested.
Thank you very much! I had a LOT of fun testing these! Amazing how much brand matters!
I use these everyday in HVAC and was super excited to see this video pop up in my inbox!
Indeed 👍
Honestly, that felt like 5 minutes max!
His loyalty and honesty is on another level. Respect and honour from Pakistan.
Thanks so much!
This comment, is one of the nicest I've seen on YT. That being said, my fellow American's don't seem to take pride in such anymore, but would seem to hug one another just to stab them in the back. I agree wholeheartedly, and think we need more instilled in our children, as opposed to current annoying, and seemingly morally and ethically corrupt generation of runts. Thank you, for the hope you've given.
@@ProjectFarm keep up the great work
@@UnityThroughTruth if you want to fix the new generation of kids you should've started by talking about the parents but no just blame some kids that had bad parents
@@ryukobestwaifu3319 I know right?, Seems like the people complaining about the youth so much are usually people that raised monsters lol. People talk about the dissolution of the american family, and I can attest to that. My family dissolved into alcoholism and denial, and I'm certainly suffering as a result.
Before people talk about the annoying, morally and ethically corrupt generation of runts.. How many children have you (NightOwlAnon) fostered successfully, or are you a school teacher? oh, none, and you are not a teacher.. then you are actually only contributing to the problem you are complaining about. Seems a bit hypocritical if I do say so.
I'm not saying that it's bad to point out problems that you can't/won't fix yourself, I'm saying you should not blame the runts themselves. It's rarely their fault lol.
Back to the topic at hand. Project Farm content is the best! Thank you for instilling positive, constructive tendencies in our youth, and the rest.
Another great video. Having used the Unibit brand for my career as an Electrician I found that using a standard twist drill for a pilot hole worked very well. Usually, the tip would wear out while the rest of the bit would last forever. Take care.
Thanks for the tip, from a fellow young sparky
Some industry insider info: In 99% of cases these "titanium" coatings are not TiN titanium nitride or really anything other than decorative gold colored plating. In the beginning, and still on most CNC tooling but not on retail market options anymore, this was a real coating with a measurable effect. For reference, the cost for us to TiN or TiALN through chemical vapor deposition a bit this size is similar cost to making the bit itself. Now in its fake form, it's essentially just a marketing ploy and a way the manufacturer or brand doesn't have to advertise the base material, people see Titanium and think it's made from titanium. Using quality M2 HSS or M35/M42 cobalt is expensive, using one of the lesser grades plentiful in CN and slapping this coating on it is the go to move among almost everyone now.
Astro's not found much in retail, so i understand why our 9442 step drills were not included, but it would be interesting to see for sure since we've done very similar tests here.
Cool info. Do you have a retail division or do you sell to consumer in any capacity?
Given how many bits seem to have the "gold" come off after a couple holes even just into wood I'm not surprised.
@@TheConstantComet I buy most of my astro stuff off amazon, pretty good quality and also nice to see astro talking to their end users here and on garage journal.
@@TheConstantComet We don't sell into retail storefronts. But most of the people we sell to also offer on Amazon, so that's how most people find us.
So it's effectively false advertising. Where's a good chemist when ya need one?
This channel rocks. about as accurate and unbiased as one can be.
Thank you very much!
i agree
Man, i whish I can give a hundred thumbs up. You have informed so many of my decisions on what to buy. Thanks again
Glad to hear! Thanks for watching.
Same here
Agree, Project Farm is priceless.
Thanks again for another educational, and eye opening video. I always thought step drill bits were those 'when you have nothing else usable' type bits. Of course that was based on my experience with HF units. However, I now see there is a major difference between brands and prices paid. You are fast becoming the go to for product testing in my book. Keep up the good, no, great work and thanks again.
Thanks, will do!
I can't believe the timing of this video, I was just looking into buying a step drill bit for my work. unbelievable, you are awesome. thanks for sharing.
Great timing! Thank you
😕 Dang! Bought a different brand yesterday! 💸
Brian Sullivan same I would only use them for thin plastics, & sheet metal, anything thicker just stick with a drill bit.
@@gus473 Me too! Might have to try and return and go for the dewalt
Tool Manufacturers: Makes a claim about anything.
Project Farm: We're gonna test that.
Thanks for watching!
@@ProjectFarm You really gotta make some merch with that quote. Shirts, coffee mugs, you name it.
@@HyakuJuu01300 Why does everything have to go on a tshirt or coffee mug?
Tool Manufacturers: *SWEATS PROFUSELY
They legit just slap 2X the strength, industry best, fastest on the market. There needs to be some more enforcement for deceptive advertising
Before I go to the hardware store to get a tool or tape,glue,ECT. I always watch videos from project farm thinking that il just se what product is best, but due to his professionalism, well thought out videos, and how he gives products a equal chance, I end up watching the whole video. None of the products he proved superior have give out on me yet under frequent use. Thanks Project Farm!
Glad to hear! Thanks for watching.
Especially the windshield wiper video!
I am a retired commercial/industrial electrician. I bought a Greenlee step bit 30 years ago and used it just about every day for a few decades. This thing is still razor sharp and never ceases to function. It has never failed me. I'm not sure you can even get them anymore. This was made during the period where Makita was the only game in town for cordless drills and the batteries were only 7.5 volts. I think the bit was designed to work well with these severely under-powered drills.
Thanks for sharing.
Wow, as a car audio installer, I've been using HF step drils for years. But it looks like I'm gonna have to bit the bullet and purchase some Dewalt step drills. I think this has to be the most definitive video you've ever produced.
Switch to the Neiko a while back and they last way longer than the Horrible Freight ones. Not going to buy Dewalt and such because we use them in stainless steel and so far it eats up every brand.
I was installing equipment in emergency vehicles and used the HF cobalt step bits regularly in stainless with good results. I think it's telling that it was able to perform very well at half the price of the DeWalt, even if it wasn't the fastest
Don’t throw the HF in the trash. Wait for them to break then buy the good stuff.
@@ShawnDickens SS is a bitch. I would love to see these bits in SS at different grades.
@@fillmorehillmore8239 I suggested it as a test for him to make a video
6:32 Here's an interesting plot idea: do a scatter plot, time versus price. That way we can easily see which one's overpriced and which one's a bargain. Would be nice to see this in future episodes.
Endurance is important too though.
Good idea buddy
Thinking the same thing!
Great suggestion!
@@CaffeinatedTech Well, you can plot anything against cost, really.
I don’t buy anything anymore until I watch these tests. They contradict “you get what you pay for”, brand loyalty, bias about country of manufacture… just the facts! Thank you so much!
You are welcome!
Electrician here: I use that 3 pack of harbor freight step bits all the time with the 1/4 inch hex where it chucks into the drill. I thank you for your time and efforts. I use the carbide hole saws for conduit connectors into boxes, simply no substitute for them. I'll give that dewalt step bit a try. thank you, I watch every video you make... every one of them!
Thanks for sharing!
which brand of the carbide do you use? I see some really expensive one. are the cheaper ones any good?
@@ProjectFarm now you have to test the carbide tipped ones lol!
You may want to look into Greenlee hole saws and sawsall blades. I too am an Electrician and have found that currently they make the best. You may want to get a bottle of thread cutting fluid. As in the video high pressure slow speed is the way to go. Most importantly do not loan out anything. It will get broken, lost or stolen there by killing your production..
@@davidsawyer1599 In my experience Lennox makes the best hole saws, I like greenlees carbides though
I’m sure you get enough of that but you are the only person to get me to sign up for patreon. You really are doing a service to us DIYers and I can’t support you enough!
Awesome! Thanks!
The 2nd test reminded me of being a kid when your cheapo drill bits hit some actually serious steel for the 1st time
Right. Thinking what kind of damn metal is this
I finally got some Mac branded bits (expensiver than frig but warrantied for life) and i haven’t ever been happier, cobalt makes short work of even the nastiest steels.
@@likeaboss882 send him one i need to see it against the DeWalt.
Just purchased a set of 3 bits by dewalt, from a electrical supply company, total value 92.00, add in the employee discount, I purchased for 73 tax included. I had no idea how the bits compared until this video, and you verified my purchase was a good one. Thank-you.
You are welcome!
I always drill a pilot hole before using the step drill, saves the tip.
This is good advice anytime you're using a larger drill bit.
Sorta how you're suppose to use it. Drill a pilot then use a step bit to drill to size. Usually better used for fabrication
Yeah - you’re not supposed to use a step drill without a pilot hole. Manufacturers actually state that. I think he should redo the test.
“Just the tip, and only for a minute” -AVe
I wish I had piloted before using my step bit last weekend. Incredibly awkward position in a cargo hold trying to drill through an aluminum bracket. Thought it was stainless steel given the time and effort before the bit got started
I have used Temo for a while doing electrical work and saw very quickly they were far better than Milwaukee and even diablo. Never saw Dewalt in stock but it's nice to see I always chose the best bit after watching these tests.
I was very surprised to see TEMO perform so well!
@@ProjectFarm Bought Temo a few years ago when doing some trailer repair to see if real Cobalt would make a difference vs the $9 for a 3-pack step bits at the store. As you've proven here there is a huge difference, nice to see personal experiences mirrored in your tests!
There is a reason why I prefer using twist drills. They really work when they are M42 bits. But when you want to just have a bit or two the step bits rule. Now I know which one to buy. Thank you for testing the step bits. You really did an amazing job with your setups. Keep on making videos for me to watch. Good day and peace too. VF
Thanks so much!
I wish they made drills with straight flutes like a step drill, twist drills tendency to auto feed causes no end of problems for me, just as they break through they bind and snap off, and if it's a soft metal, or the hole is too close to the size of the bit it binds and snaps off.
@@lovotcore6946 they do, but you have to drill a pilot hole first. They're called a reamer , yeah yeah I know, but they are still a type of drill and straight fluted too. Hmm might try sharpening one up and try it out.
@@lovotcore6946 You can get drills with all kinds of geometries. The usual is an up-cutting spiral flute. There are also straight flute and down cutting spiral flute drills (the down-cutting bit helps with your problem but tends to pack deep holes with the swarf.) In addition, the point of a drill has an angle and you can get drills with typically 118degree or 135 degree points. There are several other parts of drill geometry that can be varied, too, to suit your application.
@@kezzatries Let me know if that works, reamers usually have several cutting surfaces, which would make it more difficult to get a drill point on one, also usually don't have very much gullet since they are supposed to finish a hole, not make one, so they likely will have problems getting rid of the chips.
This test sure saves time and money, I think I have at least 8 to 10 of this bits, thank you.
You are welcome!
You should test different brands of impact drivers or drills.
Great suggestion!
@@ProjectFarm if you do, the usa made dewalt 1/4 drive 20 volt better win! dam it.
omar delgado Makita Sub Compacts
I like this suggestion a lot since everyone is so biased to their "special tools". In my experience though, most of them work pretty well for most people. I use Dewalt tools, most of my buddies swear by Milwaukee. They refuse to agree that both brands are good at what they do.
I have watched other channels to testing, but this is the only channel I would truly trust at the end of the day with the results. Keep up the great work!
the chinese ones are made of plastic, i swear, they snap over anything.
I’ve sworn by that dewault unibit for years, I feel so validated thanks to your hard work! 😁
You're so welcome!
Do they last long ?
Validation is awesome. Reminds me of when I _finally_ met a guy wearing the same KN95 brand as mine.
@@josueguillen5053 The vid demonstrated it handling armor plating pretty well... If you can go into a tank with it, I think it'll do pretty well in durability =)
@@josueguillen5053 yeah, they're the best ones out there
Bought the DeWalt and tried it out yesterday. WOW! This thing is a BEAST! Keep up the great work.
They must have upped the cobolt in that bit to the max.
As an electrician I have used many different kinds of step bits, I would have never thought that DeWalt would have ever stood a chance, like you I have always been disappointed with all step bits. Thank you, I am getting a DeWalt tomorrow!
Thanks for sharing.
“This is my step drill, I’ve never met my real drill.”
you stole that comment
Aldrin W that's why he put it in quotes dipshit
It so sad when good drills go bad...
Dont panic, it's only a drill.
What are you doing step bit?
I wonder how many videos this cat has made and decided it wasn’t good enough for posting? Think about it...this guy puts in some work.
Great point! There have been more than a handful that didn't work out or weren't up to the standards I expect. Thanks again!
@@BruceLortzHI ditto
@@BruceLortzHI I agree that would make a cool playlist, but a serious stamp this channel leaves is its accuracy and unbiased opinions. By doing that it would hurt the channel overall. Mabye he could do a second less serious channel where he just does casual comparisons?
We want bloopers 😆
@@ProjectFarm How about a blooper reel one of these days?
I have watched you for a while and was so surprised how much you respond to your comments, now here you are at 1.24 MILLION subscribers and you are still at it, absolutely astonishing. Keep up the good work!
Thanks so much!
Love your channel man! Having recently started my plumbing/hvac career I find your channel to be invaluable. Before I make ANY tool purchases I always come here to see if you have a video about it. Thank you!
Thanks so much! Thanks for sharing.
You never cease to amaze me with how you do your experiments. I love that you do all this stuff in the name of science in a fashion that just about any guy with a garage could do. I enjoy how you always rig up a way to measure results and to have a level playing field for each competitor. I'd like to see you do a video where you just talk about how you come up with your experiments and follow the scientific method. I really appreciate your work.
Great suggestion. Thanks!
this man is a saint, his processes are great in execution and I've never seen another youtube do reviews with such dedication to the scientific method
Thanks so much
Attaboys are unimportant in a way, but on here they seem to be more relevant and necessary, despite your humility so, ATTABOYEE!!!
I see tool commercials on television all the time. With how great and accurate your tests are pretty soon we're going to see commercials that are going to be saying 'this tool is Project Farm approved'
Unlikely, he goes out of his way to remain unsponsored. He probably spends as much time telling tool companies no as he does making videos.
Thank you!
As an amateur i only use step drills for holes larger than my biggest drill bit. As i always drill a pilot hole when drilling larger holes, the cheap brand less step drill served me well so far.
Thanks for the feedback.
Thanks Project Farm, once again you knocked it out of the park with another unbiased testing video. You perform a great public service by helper us consumers purchase the best product for the money. God Bless.
Thank you very much!
One of the best channels on YT! Thanks for all your hard work. Also big thanks for the pace, lack of crappy music or intros, not repeating yourself and generally being concise about everything you do! Cheers
Much appreciated!
Id love to see different taps. break one off and there goes your afternoon.
Edit: possibly twist shear strength. Hardness. And sharpness (torque to cut the threads).
Thanks for the video idea.
Cost is literally quality in machine tools but on a budget the Irwin are good for a hole or two the cmt from fastenal also hold up fairly well
Love your reviews. Please don't EVER go mainstream and stay independent🙏. You're by far the best most honest, trustworthy review channel I've ever seen! Keep up the great work good sir!
Thanks, will do!
I think this is a very unbiased test, and shows the capability of the bits. I believe these bits belong in mild steel and not much else. There maybe some improvement in bit performance and longevity of the bits with cooling and lubrication, as heat maybe contributing to the destruction of the chisels and disrupting the bit's progression through the material. Regardless, unbiased testing, and very good work.
Thanks so much!
I love that this one machining channel has such open and flat scientific rigor. Much more refreshing than some channels putting to random things against eachother with no controls.
Thanks for watching.
I like the myth busters approach of “well let’s see what goes through armor plate”
Thanks for the feedback.
Where you going love....just popping out to get some armour plate....ok could you stop and grab some milk too love.....ok
@Top Dead Center You're a special sort of idiot. The type that's not even good for a laugh...
Top Dead Center do you also think the earth is flat ?
@Top Dead Center It was still more effort than you're worth. As was this. As would a single erg be.
Well, thanks for the buyers remorse. 1/4--3/4" step drill on the Matco truck yesterday cost , me $78. And refused to hog out a 1/2" grade 8 flat washer to 5/8". Made in China to Matco specs.
Thanks for sharing.
I'm extremely impressed with how you run your tests. The results are legitimate and really help me make the right decision when purchasing items you've tested. Next to VCG Construction this is easily one of my favorite channels to watch when I need more info on products I may need for work. I hope you continue to grow this channel
Thank you!
I prefer Stanley dirt monkey to vcg
@@chimera91977 that's insane, what is there to like about that.?!? I'm jk it's also one of my favorites. To be honest I can't think of any "tool" related channels I don't like.
vcg consturction is just an obnoxius shit tool troll tho
I love how this is like watching a sporting event with commentary
Thanks!
It’s far better, no bad refs and flopping
Its his delivery that seals it! Such a smooth vocal cadence combined with a no-nonsense delivery. Watching right before bedtime is almost a meditative act!
You'd probably like, though might not think so at first, MARBLE RACING videos. They have great sporting event commentary too, and it's way better than it sounds.
Absolutely love all your videos,buying good tools never got so easy,I will gives you a big thumbs up on each videos
I subscribe a few weeks ago and have really enjoyed your videos. I appreciate the fact that you remain self funded to eliminate any doubts as to the results of your test. Thank you for producing such informative and entertaining videos. You can tell you put a lot of time and effort into making sure they are worthy of the subscribers time and support.
Awesome! Thank you!
Compared to tour other vudeos, I really likenthis ine. The way you're speaking in a lower mire chill tone and not repeating the name of the product is so much better and less fatiguing to watch.
Thanks for the feedback.
If this channel ever ends, we will all be worse off in this life.
Thanks for the time and energy you put into videos that show which industries are really putting customers and society in the best position! Seriously diligent work being done by you!
Wow, thank you
Genuinely amazed, i've had a few of these over the years and never had any good results with them on steel, i even had one go blunt after drilling polycarbonate!
So seeing these chew through steel and even armor plate was a real shock, as with so much it seems $15 ebay "bargains" are not the way to go, pay more get better results.
Thanks for sharing.
I agree just dont always look at the money side either direction
Just have to get molybdenum cobalt drills, that's what the Teemo and Dewalt are. M35 or M42 gets rockwell hardnesses much higher than standard HSS, works great in pretty much all materials. Lasts forever in wood and plastic.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-speed_steel#Molybdenum_High_Speed_Steels_(HSS)
Some jobs just require a step bit, like enlarging a hole in thinner materials.
Great point
Yep ... about 1/8" or less is where they really come through.
You could use a hole saw in a hole saw, high speed low pressure.
By that I mean if your arbor has long enough threads you can put on a larger hole saw first with a second smaller one inside for the pilot bit. Smaller one would be the same size as the old hole and the larger would be the desired size.
I always just used drill bits and step them up never invested in a nice set of step bits
I normally use a drill bit to start/penetrate then a step drill to do the "work"
Just bought the DeWalt step bit and excited to try it out.
Price now in 2/2022 is up $7 to $50.01
Thank you for the content, looking forward to more content.
Nice! Thanks and you are welcome!
This man is one of the best reviewers of products I have ever encountered. His service offers real and useful information that help you make informed decisions about products.
Thanks for watching.
Ikr, this guy shows and makes your decision flawless. Yoi know the pros and cons 100%
"it's got a 5 star Amazon review. Builders swear by it. I've heard that God uses it. It's made from actual unicorn horn."
"I don't care. What does Project Farm have to say about it?"
Depends on the health of the unicorn....and penis size 👍
@@hauntedhose lol
@@hauntedhose 😂😂😂
TRUTH!!!
Yes! I routinely check project farm comparisons for consumable tools!
You’re some of the best content for the working man! Saving us time and money! For that I thank you! Keep up the great work!
Thanks, will do!
Great test, I wish I had seen this before wasting $50 on a Klein step bit thinking it was better. Later I bought a Milwaukie set and it performed much better. Next will be the Temo or Dewalt based on your amazing tests!
Thank you! Thanks for sharing.
@@ProjectFarmDoubt you will see this, but the most important part for me is that the bit is lead free....I am having a hard time finding a lead free step drill bit....do you know if any of these are?
Sir, you never fail to impress me. I am always impressed by your "workarounds" to minimize the sources of error in your measurements. The bike wheel & scale for tip pressure was positively ingenious.! I have seen NOBODY with a video on You Tube
who compares to you for thoroughness, error minimization, & integrity. Cooling the armor plate so that all bits had a level playing field is just a further example of your cleverness & thoroughness. As usual, my hat is off to you sir !
Thank you very much!
I would have loved to see a test that showed how cleanly the bits cut plastic and thin materials.
I have Milwaukee so its all I can comment on, but they leave a fantastic clean hole while with a nice chamfer on plastics and thin metals. I've use on mild steel, aluminum, and 304 stainless sheets amongst various plastic with great results.
Great feedback. Thank you!
Agreed, I'd love to see a followup to this one, testing them on thinner materials. Perhaps the less aggressive straight flute design would cause less pulling and difficulty of control on thin sheet or more delicate materials...
that wouldve been too easy... even with the 7 dollar bit!
Yep
You know it's a bad day when.."A CEO comes in and learns his product was just tested on Project Farm and their BS marketing claims were proved to be BS"..🤣
A bad day indeed., for the B-S marketing claims. Project Farm put's another notch in his belt. I'm thinking, he's gonna need another belt, real soon. LOL!!!
RIGHT!
same as LockPickingLawyer's channel, you can tell a lock is good or bad by the video length
@@vdml I follow that as well. UA-cam testers more or less make commercials obsolete for those that use.
@@stanwooddave9758 don't give him any ideas haha. Next thing you know he will be testing leather punches for putting notches in belts.
This is youtube at its best. Great objective and easily understood testing. Thank you!
Thanks and you are welcome!
gotta love how you make yourself semi-laugh when you read each companies claims
Trademark Project Farm!!!
Thanks for watching.
You do the Most ‘Thorough’ Tests, in that you go to great lengths to ensure controlled conditions. Love them !
For work purposes as a mechanic I use Mac brand step bits. Titanium cobalt, comes in a set with 3 different sizes and I bought them on sale for about $110 with a lifetime warranty. These will last all winter long mostly drilling through truck frames for plow installs. Some of the best I've tested so far! Keep up the great work, love the videos!
Thanks, will do!
I wonder who their OEM is, lol
Not real titanium
This is, hands-down, the most helpful UA-cam channel for weighing a purchase of a tool or product! Thank you!
Thank you very much! It means a lot to me
As an electrician we use a lot of hole saws to knock holes in steel and stainless boxes. Our typical best performance hole saw is the Milwaukee thin blade. Could you make a video testing which is best?
Great recommendation! I'll test them soon.
No hydraulic punch? Every Sparky I know loves their hydraulic punch.
Alex Apol depends on the size of the hole and if we have any knockout sets avaliable. But for something like a 3/4”-2” knockout, a carbide tipped hole saw used correctly works way faster than drilling a 3/8”-1/2” hole then using a knockout.
Also paddle bits! And maybe a video on how to properly reshap them
@@ActingLikeABoss I like the punch out tool for less metal shards in existing work. But if new work, a quick vacuum would be faster than setting up the punch.
"Help me step bit, I'm stuck!"
What are you doing step bit bro?
I guess you got to hit the step bit form the front
Looked for this comment to upvote. Shows how immature we are. xD
I didnt see this
The fact that PF likes this makes it even funnier
Tool performance claims are not regulated, so it seems they just say what they want. Another great test! Keep it up. Some of my favorite content on UA-cam
Thanks, will do!
Just like vitamins
It still falls under false advertising laws, hence why they word it so vaguely. 2x faster, 3x longer life, yet they don't specify against what drilling in what kind of material. Dewalt said 2x longer life than Lenox, but didn't specify which Lenox model. They could be comparing their high speed steel step drill to plain or alloy high carbon steel step drills.
@@gretah3969 Don't forget the "Up to" part of the claim. That certainly leaves them a lot of wiggle room!
I've never bought or used a step drill bit and probably would have bought the Diablo if I had not seen your video since I like the brand and they usually perform very well. Your videos save people time and money. I think this is one of the best channels on the internet. Good work.
Thanks so much!
Great video. The benefit of a step drill is so you can drill into thinner metal without the bit grabbing the material, pulling it off the table, and spinning it like a blade. When you use any bit with spiral flutes, even a step drill, the material will try to screw itself up the flutes. That is why most of them have straight flutes. The spiral flute DeWalt may have been the fastest, but I wouldn't trust it not to grab in sheet metal. Just my two cents. But I do love your reviews. Just subscribed!
Thanks for watching and subscribing! Thanks for the feedback.
Audio installer guys I used to work with swore by them for making new holes in vehicle firewalls, usually for heavy gauge wire.
@@cordcd7 lol that's why I'm watching this video
..yes, I prefer a straight flute step bill for that reason as well...regardless that the DeWalt spiral flute drilled fastest...
Yeah, same here, the point of step drills is their performance in sheet metal, not thick plate The plate definitely gave a good idea of which brands are made of better steel and have better split points, but it doesn't quite reflect what step drills are for. I stay away from the spiral flutes, too.
Would be greatly beneficial to have an online catalog where one might be able to search for specific products you've tested. Not too long ago I was at harbor freight trying to remember which tire pump you used that was better than its peer group; I did get the right one.
FYI: A single-flute step bit intrinsically cuts more slowly than a dual-flute bit, because it has only one cutting edge. But single-flute bits do a better job of drilling round (non-eccentric) holes in difficult materials.
..yes, better for it's intended purpose, which is drilling clean, uniform, round holes...not speed drilling holes like a regular bit...
Makes so much sense
I actually have the opposite experience. It always seemed to me the single flute Irwin would walk the hole sideways so the hole would not be centered where you want it
@@2009rummell Could be a symptom of some other aspect of the Irwin's design, have you tried single flutes from other brands?
Why do reamers have so many flutes then? If you need a straight and center hole in hard material, drill it undersize and use a reamer. These are more for sloppy work when any hole will do.
I’m a avid Milwaukee user and swear by it but dewalt takes the cake when it comes to their drill bit holder, extensions, step bit, and drill bits. I hate most black and yellow stuff but gotta give them their credit when it’s due
Thanks for the feedback.
Would you rate dewalt drill bits over the Milwaukee red hex impact bits? Dewalt don't seem to make a complete set of metric impact bits, it's a nightmare trying to find them
Dewalt has always been my go-to for bits and accessories.
Trying to settle on a good Battery Powered Tool Family so I don't have a fustercluck of different chargers.
Seriously pondering Milwaukee...
Results
Mild Steel: 6:32
Bed Frame: 11:08
AR400 Armor Plate: 14:46
His videos are actually worth watch but thanks anyway.
Thank u
I need a project farm shopping app.
Many times I've been in Walmart, home Depot, auto parts store and have referenced your videos before a purchase. I don't need to spend more time in store watching UA-cam. I need to get to work.
If I could quickly select a category and view your graphs, that would be fantastic.
I've actually made an excel spreadsheet with all of the categories and listed the top two from each so that when I need to buy something PF has tested I know exactly what to buy.
@@roaddog1973 could I have it?
@@roaddog1973 could you share this magical spread sheet please? Would make my shopping go so much faster.
Chris Rohde please share!
Chris Rohde might as well start a web page or something. Could be lucrative!
Halfway I just realised I will never in my life will need to professionally drill in to metal. But as you put that much effort in to comparison, and straight to the point, without empty chit chat, I'll watch it to the end. And like it of course.
Thanks so much!
So, buy the TEMO, put it in your toolbox, and in a couple of years you can pat yourself on the back and say, "Wow! I had that thing so long, and it really worked when I needed it!"
glad you did this test. I happen to be looking at step bits...
Thanks!
Thank you for what you do. The weighted wheel design was genius in regulating downforce also could be stated as Automation. Attention to detail Is another attribute you have, proving that your tests are accurate and fair.
You are welcome!
For the price, Hercules did surprisingly well. I think where step bits shine is for clean holes in sheet metal.
Thanks for the feedback.
I was really curious about this because I thought maybe I just had a unicorn step bit in my Hercules bit that has lasted me ages and hundreds of holes drilled. I've gotten massive ROI from it 😂. I use oil basically every time I use it, even with aluminum so maybe that is why, but I definitely didn't expect it to last more than a few months and I'm going on a few years now with it
I did HVAC duct cleaning for a while about 30 years ago and we used Uni-Bit step bits, which are now made by Irwin. I think they may have been a brand unto their own at the time, but I don't remember for sure. I drilled through many a sheet metal air duct with them, and they worked great and seemed to never dull. Thin material is where they really shine, and sheet metal is probably their home turf. They leave clean edges free of burrs, that don't cut you the instant you touch them. Really useful for their intended purpose.
I've been waiting for this video!!
Awesome! Thank you very much!
@@ProjectFarm Me too, only yesterday I was looking this stuff up and searched you vids to see if you'd already done this....and now you have :P
I requested this, as I'm sure others did too! Thank you, Project Farm!
Same here!
Just an update for anyone who is interested...Today, November 11, 2024.....the DeWalt (DWA1786IR) is $23.99.... TEMO is still $29.99 on Amazon. Locally, I could not find either of these in Fort Worth. Thanks for an amazing video. The number of step bits in stock at most home stores will make your head explode. Thanks for helping us save money and keeping our sanity at a respectable level....lol. Great content as always brother.
Thanks and you are welcome!
"We're gonna test that." Hell yeah. Many videos that were quite helpful. Todd keeps it interesting too. And helps save hard earned money and first hand frustrations.
Thanks for watching! Glad I can help!
Great, Wish we could buy some of the brands u feature in my country. I brought a DeWalt set few months ago. Real happy with them.
Hope you and your family are keeping well & Safe. Hope Your giving ya-self some time away from answering every comment. You know for ya own sanity. lol
Thanks for sharing! We are keeping safe and well! Thanks for asking.
When I hear, "When it comes to..." It always puts a smile on my face
Thank you very much!
I usually use a pilot bit before a step bit. Tip tests only give part of the story. I'm going to try the Temo. Thx!
Thanks for the feedback.
Favorite time of the week!
Awesome! Thank you very much for the positive comment! It means a lot!
That Makita offset in the Chuck, drilling through the mild steel, was ridiculous.
I'm a machinist. I cringed..
He had it chucked improperly. The hex shaft was all over the place. User error.
@@240sxRule same... I squinted and put my hand in front of my face as if I were expecting it come out of the chuck, fling across the shop, through the camera, out of my monitor, and hit me in the eyes.
Glad I wasn’t the only one who noticed it!
One of my favorite channels on UA-cam! You're helping DIYers and professionals all over the world. Thank you for your unbelievably helpful testing!
You are so welcome!
Dude, I absolutely love your channel, thanks for these tests !
Thanks and you are welcome!
Phenomenal review... phenomenal detail... exactly what I was looking for. Really impressed. Thank you for the time and effort.
Thanks so much!
Todd, another great video! I can share some of my cutting tool expertise I learned from making shanks in the joint: Spiral will have an advantage over straight. This creates positive rake geometry similar to your control bit. The HSS Colbalt tools are the superior material of choice and are often used in commercial metal cutting. The TiN coating offers very little advantage due to the fact of it's vapor deposition process film is around .0002 in. thick. The host metal here are not hard enough to provide utilization. It is, however, a lovely inexpensive marketing gimmick here to sell a gold plated bit. Keep up the great work!
Thanks for sharing.
"...from making shanks in the joint" LOL,
In the electrical field step drill bits or "unibits" are an invaluable tool to have for hole making but mainly for enlarging existing holes without breaking out a knockout set. With the exception of stainless most boxes and panels are usually a mild soft steel and most brands I have used will last a long time if you keep your rpm at a reasonable rate and use some oil. Irwin bits are good but all sizes can be had with or without cobolt for drilling stainless or hardened steel. I think Klein step bits are rebranded irwins. Greenlee bits are good as well but I think they are rebranded Lenox. I have a handful of those swiss make Bosch bits that I haven't used yet but seem to be very high quality.
Ok... I'm a hardened Milwaukee guy, I only use a Dewalt bag to carry my Milwaukee tools so they won't get stolen.
but, facts is facts. You've convinced me. Thank again for another Great vid.