Step drill bits
 

I need to enlarge the 3/8" hole on my ARB bumper to 1/2".
The ARBs are drilled to accept a CB antenna mounting stud.
Ham radio antennas use 1/2" studs, at least the mount I am getting for my antenna does.

Here are two step drill packages.
One is $60, the other is $10.
Do you get what you pay for, or since this will not be used very often, is it a good choice to take a chance on the cheaper one?

$60 one from my local Lowe's

http://images.lowes.com/product/038548/038548150406.jpg

$10 one from Harbor Freight, which is also local to me

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/pho...1699/91616.gif

A step drill bit is the ONLY way to drill sheet/plate! You will definitely find use for it once you have one!

I think those Irwin ones will require a 1/2" chuck for the larger sizes - your drill is probably 3/8".

To be honest, I would go with the HF ones. If they burn up, go buy another set! Being that they are TiN coated, they'll probably last long enough to where you wouldn't be buying six sets over your lifetime.

Ditto that. I've used this (the one from harbor freight) on my TJM bumper no problem. Once you use it though you'll find all types of things to use it on.

Thanks guys, mine is 1/2" too.
https://www.yotatech.com/50364681-post42.html

Guess I will call them up to see their hours.
They are on the same street I live on, just 12 miles or so North of me.

http://images.lowes.com/product/717709/717709010079.jpg

i've been usin my harbor freight step drills for over a year. definatly worth it

We use the Irwin ones at work.

I have a set I could have loaned you today when I went for my strike check. I also have a 1/2" drill if you would rather use that.

But for $10 the HF set should be fine.

i have the HF ones. had em about a year, i find uses for them too.

Thanks guys, I am going to hit HF tomorrow morning and get the $10 set.
That is $50 more I can put towards my Yaesu 857D ;)

The cheaper ones will dull the center part much faster, I find with my cheap one I have to get the hole started with a small bit and then I can use my step drill to make a larger and cleaner hole

I will see how long the HF ones last.
But I already have the stock hole in the ARB bumper, just need to enlarge it.
I think the reason ham antennas use a larger hole for the base is so the mounts can hold a much larger antenna than a CB one.

My future antenna after I try out the one that is on order now.
Asat-120 by Yaesu.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...T/P8146355.jpg

Harbor Freight all the way. i've used them so so many times no problem at all. get a center punch and good 1/4" drill bit if you need drill a new hole, the step drill isn't good for drill polit holes no matter who makes it.

Just got back, picked up the Harbor Freight ones, they look to be pretty good quality for less than $10.

She was surprised to see me in and out of the store in under two minutes.
Most spend a long time gawking up and down the isles, but not me today.
I really did not have anything else to look at while I was there.

Looks like you already made you purchase...but I would have suggested the Irwin bits. Last a lot longer, and higher quality. I bought 2 when there were buy one get one free at my local lowes. $50 or so.

I bought two sets when I was there just in case.

Corey are you feeling OK? Nothing else to look at while you were there? You should go see a clinic:hillbill:

My wife hates it that there is a HF store 3 miles away from me:bigok:

'Coug, I will see how these last, I may get the Lowe's later.

Robb, I did not want to cloud my mind with more purchases :D
Soon I will be dropping a load on a new LCD TV, and also a load on HAM gear for the rig.

Can't comment on HF never seen them but I've used the Greenlee step bits and they are the shiznit... just be careful they can grab and either torque your wrist off or chew up the finish on what you're working on. Use a little cutting oil and it should go nicely and help keep a good edge on the bit longer. Motor oil also works if you don't have cutting oil handy. Also they can "take off" all of a sudden and you wind up with a bigger hole then you had in mind so be careful of that too.

Corey-:jk: We are thinking too about an LCD for the family X-mas gift...Ham gear would be cool...What kind? I would love to get one but I am thinking about one of the SPOT emergency locators if this quarter's bonus is big enough after taxes would be better for me (hiking etc), already blew part of it on a 15lb Ultimate Air set up:hillbill:

I have a ham thread here.
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f97/...er-ham-155889/

I have changed my mind quite a bit on the gear.
So far I have a Diamond antenna for 2 m and 70 cm work coming this week along with the coax and ARB bumper mount.

But down the road I am looking at the ASAT-120A antenna which is made for the Yaesu 857D radio I will get when the strike is over.
Gotta get a duplexer for the antenna too, since one antenna will hook up to the two ports on the radio.

The drills worked like a charm.
In fact it was like drilling into butter :D
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f97/...l#post50957696