Q: Can I use my impact wrench with VersaDrive Step Drills
Yes, VersaDrive Step Drills are specially hardened and designed with a unique geometry which allows them to be effectively used with Impact Drivers and Wrenches.
Q: What is the maximum material thickness I can drill with VersaDrive Step Drills
We recommenced a maximum thickness of 5mm or 3/16" to achieve a parallel hole. Thicker materials up to 8-10mm can be drilled, but this will result in a stepped hole.
Q: Which Lubricant do you recommend for Step Drills
Speedlube is generally the best all purpose lubricant, for fast, convenient and accurate aerosol application ensuring coverage inside the hole as well as on the tool. However our BioCut paste is very popular and efficient lubricant for dipping the tool directly into the tin. It’s also great for minimising run off or mess, on painted surfaces or other sensitive applications where run off is to be avoided. Aeropaste can be used if working in applications such as Overhead where a fluid lubricant will run off. Finally BioCut Blue cutting fluid works particularly well with harder materials or difficult applications and is ideal forfor direct application onto the tool and into the hole when working on flat surfaces
Q: How many holes can I expect VersaDrive Step Drills to last
We have many customer reports and testimonials of our step drills lasting for hundreds of holes or even more than a thousand. However our tools are often used in a tough environment, sometimes with less than ideal working conditions so it can vary widely depending on the application and the user life expectancy. If you are getting less than 100-200 holes per tool as a rule of thumb we can look at your application and most likely suggest some improvements to help increase life expectancy.
Q: Can I drill Stainless Steel using VersaDrive Step Drills
Yes, although we recommend low speed, rotary RPM drilling rather than impact use for optimum life expectancy in stainless steel. For optimum tool life We recommend using reduced rotary RPM speeds, higher pressure and increased lubrication.
Q: Can the Versadrive Step Drill break
Typically the main reasons for step drill breakage are excessive pressure when penetrating the steel or moving the tool off-line, causing it to cut unequally. Step Drills can also be broken when drilling narrow box section or tube where the tip is trying to drill both walls simultaneously. This is not recommended practice and will usually result in breakage.
All cutting tools can be blunted or broken in some conditions
Q: Why has my step drill gone blunt on one of the steps
Typically speaking if the tool has blunted sooner than you would have expected it to, the typical cause is using too high an RPM for the particular application causing the tool to wear and blunt prematurely. When used at recommended RPM and torque limits and all best practice is followed, you should expect excellent tool life.
Q: Can my Step Drill be resharpened
They can be resharpened by dedicated resharpening companies using tool grinding machines. We do not offer this service directly but we can recommed resharpening companies
Q: How can I access further technical support or submit a warranty claim for my VersaDrive Step Drill
Please click here to access our product support area and warranty claim forms. If making a warranty claim please fill in the appropriate warranty form, providing us with as much of the requested information as possible and one of our technical team will review the feedback and be in touch shortly.
