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Reply to "Newbie with many questions"

Todd M posted:
Robert M posted:

A step bit works really well for making holes like that. They make the hole incrementally larger and I’ve never had one grab like a regular bit. 

Can you use a step drill bit on 0.186" thick steel?  Is there a thickness limit on step drill bits?

1) Only if you have a spare afternoon to drill 2 holes, can come at it from both directions, and are OK with wrecking the bit. 

2) Ultimately, the metal can’t be thicker than the lands on the steps, but in order to get the step-bit started in thick metal, a pilot hole the size of the step-bit pilot is a great idea.

All of this presupposes you’ve got a good step-bit— double-fluted Irwin or Lennox— good ones are $50+. Cheap ones will barely drill light ga. sheet metal, let alone 16 ga.+ steel. 

Last edited by Stan Galat
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