Bosch has come out with a new line of Turbo step drill bits, which they’re manufacturing in Switzerland.
The new Bosch Turbo step drill bits feature two cutting edges for “double cutting power,” a self-starting tip, optimized angles and steps for bur-free drilling performance, and spiral flutes for efficient cutting and fast drilling speeds.
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These step drills are said to be optimized for cordless performance. These step drill bits can be used in a variety of thin materials up to 1/8″ thick, such as sheet metal, ducts, steel, non-ferrous metals, plastic, vinyl siding, plasterboard, PVC, stainless steel, and other materials.
Some of the new Bosch Turbo step drill bits have 1/4″ hex shanks and are said to be Impact Tough and suitable for use in impact drivers.
Bosch Turbo step drill bits are said to provide 2X longer life and also 2X the number of drilled holes per [cordless drill or impact driver] battery charge.
At the time of this posting there are only a couple of individual sizes and sets, and I would anticipate seeing more in the future. Bosch says the Turbo line will include a “Full range of diameters with options for use with cordless drill drivers or impactors.”
Curiously, a 3pc set with drill-compatible shanks is less expensive than a 3pc set with 1/4″ hex shanks ($84 vs. $105). All of the Bosch Turbo step drill bits are made from high speed steel, and so the only difference seems to be the shank.
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Diablo is also coming out with new impact-rated step drill bits. They’re said to feature a split point tip design and increased step heights for common hole sizes.
Looking at product images, the Bosch bits also look to have greater step heights for certain sizes.
Here’s their marketing blurb:
Diablo’s new Step Drill Bits bring exclusive technology to the Electrician, Plumber and HVAC contractor with fast, accurate cuts and increased stability in thin metals, PVC other plastic materials.
As you might know (see also: tool brands, who owns what?), Freud and Diablo are owned by Bosch. At this time, it’s not clear if or how the Bosch and Diablo step drill bits might differ from each other, aside from highlight markings on the Diablo bits. If I were to choose between the two brands, I’d go by size/style and then price.
Jason
I may be stupid, but when would you want impacting power on a step bit? Isn’t that basically the opposite of what you’d want for something like this?
Frank
Its good if you’re some kind of gorilla and you just want a hole in an electrical box right now by any means possible without having to worry about controlling a drill.
Stuart
Some users might want to use an impact for everything.
Edward Frattarelli
I’m that Gorilla, I use an impact for almost anything I can but my work is not too precise, usually hanging in an awkward position in the greenhouses just trying to get it done.
Pete
You know being “that Gorilla” is not something to brag about it.
Just saying…..
Altan
You don’t need impact driver to use them you can use this:
https://www.makitauk.com/product/ddf083z.html
TonyT
Nice product – first 18V 1/4″/6.35mm hex driver I’ve seen
BUT it’s not sold in USA! Come on, Makita, give us more good stuff!
(All the other hex drivers I’ve seen are 12V or lower, love my Bosch PS21)
Altan
I am not in Festool Platform (not yet), they might have something similar in 18V platform, but I don’t like that they have their own style of hex shank called Centrotec, It is not easy to find all accessories in E6.3 1/4″ hex shank and with Festool the range would be more limited, I see they are working on it by time, another option would be to use Snappy adapter which would make the tool longer a bit, This Makita DDF083 is very short and can be used in extremely tight places.
Corey Moore
It’s a screwdriver, lots of brands have them. They’re basically just a drill (no impacting, and a mechanical clutch for torque control/slip) with no chuck, but a 1/4″ receptacle instead. Drill motor and clutch with impact bit “chuck.” They’ve been around forever. Metabo and some others, I believe, have engineered a traditional drill chuck that fits over the impact style nose, and called them something else entirely, but those, these screwdrivers, and regular drills are all the same mechanisms and functions.
Altan
Yes, I saw the Bosch one, was good, But others are not 18V, they are 12V mostly.
I have to dig more about Metabo then.
Eric
For dual operation. Drill your starter hole with a drill and then use the step bit in the impact. Also step bits get grabby sometimes and try to break your wrist. With an impact that isn’t a problem.
Joe Hanson
Do you think the cordless impact driver will one day for the most part replace the 1/2 cordless drill? Impacts are coming out with more speed and power settings and becoming quieter. Also more impact rated accessories are becoming available. In some years time, it might be hard to choose a drill as a holiday gift for a first time homeowner or college student or someone starting to do their own projects. If the price goes down on an impact that can offer these features, and the impact rated accessories available, I wouldn’t buy a drill or drill and impact combo kit and just buy an impact.
Stuart
No.
But there are and will be more accessories that you could use with both tools.
Altan
Not the impact drivers but this will replace definitely:
https://www.makitauk.com/product/ddf083z.html
By now I have seen Makita to make 1/4″ drill driver (not impact driver) in 18V (20V) platform, and DeWALT does make in 10.8V (12V) platform.
The problem with Impact drivers is that they are too noisy and they break the bits a lot, probably tools like this will dramatically reduce the income the brands get from selling bits and that is why they don’t promote them a lot, why DeWALT does make it in 12V platform but not 20V platform? I don’t see too much discussion about this Makita tool in tool forums also.
Joe Hanson
Thats why I stated in my original post “Impacts are coming out with more speed and power settings and becoming quieter”. So I’m very much aware of the shortfalls of most of the impact drivers currently available and covered that. There are drills that combine the normal chuck with a internal hex shank holder. I think we might start to see more of a crossover. I know some HVAC guys who keep a cordless drill in the truck but almost never use it and use an impact for pretty much all their work already. Granted hvac techs are different from general contractors.
Altan
I don’t know if with 3 speed settings or any other type of modifications (such as being more quiet) an impact driver can be the same as Makita DDF083, Impact driver acts like a hammer a bit and that is why it breaks the bits. Yes, those combined ones are mostly 12V or are available from Festool (I think). Of course, we will see them more by time, but my concerns is the speed in introducing that platform within the brands would definitely be slow. I mean the main brands will delay it as much as they can to sell more accessories just.
Joe Hanson
I’m aware of how impact drivers work however, don’t forget that some impact drivers offer 6 or more modes with some modes programmable for specific fasteners such as self tapping screws. I haven’t had many issues with bits breaking but it helps to use good bits such as Wera. Things are still in their early stages but programable torque settings seem to be the next area tool manufacturers are focusing on.
Altan
I have a DeWALT impact driver which I have used it very rarely as I am not interested in them. They are too noisy for me. Wera bits are quality and durable in general. I have not seen impact drivers with 6 modes, which brand is that?
TonyT
Other hex screwdrivers include Makita 12V, Bosch 12V (PS2x, Flexi-Click), Milwaukee (many models, including Fuel and multi-head versions).
The only 18V ones I can think of are the Makita you linked to, and if you include multi-head tools, the Bosch 18V Flexi-Click.
Maybe oil-impulse impact drivers (such as the Milwaukee Surge, Ryobi QuietStrike, and Makita XST01) will provide a better replacement. I’ve thought about getting the QuietStrike, but it’s huge compared to my current hex screwdriver (Bosch PS21).
Altan
I saw Milwaukee and Bosch 12V ones here on Toolguyd, they are quite new compared to DeWALT and Makita ones, I did not know that Bosch has it in 18V platform also. Good tool, I just checked it now on youtube, I am not very interested in Bosch that is why I normally do not check that brand, I only get special sizes SDS+ drill bits from Bosch. The good thing with Bosch one was that it had a SDS+ head also, quite impressive. What I like about Makita one is that it is extremely short. Waiting for a DeWALT version…
TonyT
You should compare the Makita 18V one with the Makita 12V CXT FD06 https://www.makitatools.com/products/details/FD06Z
Altan
I know that also, but when I see a 18V version of that from the same brand I lose the interest for 12V version, specially if the 18V version is really compact.
JakeJ
I have the Bosch 18v Flexi (older style one with the fat handle) and find it has plenty of grunt and comes in very handy in small spaces, drilling with the 1/4 holder and impact rated drill bits. Only problem I have found is that once the hex shank gets a bit worn, it can tend to ‘slip’ out. Might just be mine though, as I have had zero problems with this in the 12v version.
steve
No because you are going to go deaf if you use an impact for everything, because most people don’t wear ear plugs.
John
The Acme Tools link doesn’t open for me, and the Amazon offerings ship in 1-3 months.
Stuart
Sorry, I can’t see a problem with the link, will test again on another device.
Altan
A set of Three of Bosch is sold over 100 USD and it is not even cobalt.
This one is Cobalt and a set of Three is sold for 16 GBP, I did buy it for my friend and they are machined very well, like German quality.
Stuart
I know, right? Why pay for Swiss-made HSS from top brands when you can buy “titanium” or “cobalt” step bits for a fraction of the price from unknown brands on the intent?
Sometimes it’s okay to cheap out on power tool accessories, other times it’s a bigger headache than it’s worth.
fred
“Cobalt Coated” – wow I thought TiN was what all the cheesy brands added to make their inferior bits look better than they are. I know that some electricians and installers like step bits because they are a quicker and cheaper alternative to KO punches – but going real cheap might not be economical if the bits wear out prematurely. Maybe cheap is OK for the electronic hobbyist guys who are drilling aluminum or plastic-composite boxes/sheets
Altan
They are not Cobalt Coated, they are HSS Co and also coated, I think they have some sort of Titanium Nitride Coating on them, sometimes these coating can look like golden colour, sometimes bronze-ish and sometimes brownish pink like these ones, they also use Titanium Aluminium Nitride (TiAlN) I think and looks blackish colour coating like this:
https://shopee.com.my/Drillpro-HRC89-M35-Cobalt-Step-Drill-Bit-TiAlN-Coated-Step-Drill-Hex-Shank-i.10203301.1368281121
These are double grooved suitable for both Japanese and Western 1/4″ collets. But you can not use them with Snappy quick change chuck as the hex shank length is short. Just to be used with impact drivers and Makita DDF083.
Altan
Sorry, these are OK to use with Snappy quick change chuck, but if you look at this one you will see the hex shanks are shorter.
https://uk.banggood.com/Drillpro-3-Flute-Step-Drill-Bit-TiAlN-Coated-HRC89-HSS-Co-M35-Cobalt-Step-Drill-14-Inch-Hex-Shank-p-1342887.html
Altan
I still support European and US made tool accessories, but they should not abuse it also, I would buy a European or US made tool accessory if it is two-three times more expensive than the Chinese one, but not when it is ten times more expensive, now the GDP per capita in China is almost half of the GDP per capita in Western countries on average. I bought a set of HSS Co for my friend as he was using HSS step drill bit to make holes on stainless steel mostly and he could not make too many holes with HSS, But these HSS Co ones did last much longer time, it has been almost two years and he is still using them.
Chinese drill bits are catching Western quality but I can not say the same about screwdriver bits as you said it can be a headache to trust Chinese made screwdriver bits.
Altan
Here is the link
https://www.amazon.co.uk/OCGIG-Drill-Cobalt-Coated-Cutter-x/dp/B071RRMH3M
@philly_sparxy@ig
Awesome. Now a days I look for impact ratings on everything. One reason being, if the bit fits in an impact, it will also fit in my drill. But a drill bit will not fit in my impact. So it’s good to have that option. Also more & more guys are finding out that a quality impact driver (like my hilti) will drill much more aggressively then a drill of the same quality. This is great for quickly blasting holes in wood/metal when running wire. It may not be a pretty hole but I’m not a carpenter, I’m an electrician and all my holes will be covered up. The impacts just dont quit where a similarly powered drill would. Usually from an automatic shut down/overload protection to prevent overheating on newer drill models. The impacts will slow down but the hammering function allows them to keep digging. Some guys say its tool abuse. I dont, I say, I never had a problem with this method & if I do I got a great warranty. So, get her done as quickly and efficiently as possible. In metal I slow down at the end to allow a nice round hole in the correct size to be formed. But that’s a out it. I dont need a surgeon’s precision. I need to get paid. I’ll definitely be checking out these new uni-bits. I also like how they went with the “made in Sweden” option. Alot of guys are no longer purchasing tools that are made in China. Usa/Germany/Sweden and even Japan seems like they are taking care of the quality side of things with these tools. As long as they continue to do so, I’ll continue shelling out the few extra bucks. These impact rated bits look cool to me, cant wait to try them.
Nate B
I hope they come out with a metric option soon!
I work with a lot of metric-sized connectors, and half-assing it with the nearest inch size doesn’t always work so well.
Altan
You can get a Metric one from Snappy, if you are satisfied with HSS, They might be USA made and they are not cheap also.
fred
Quite a few Metric step drills are listed on Amazon – some with hex shanks.
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=metric+step+drills&ref=nb_sb_noss
Most of what’s listed seem to be rather low cost – but the Neiko set seems to have decent reviews
Bob
Ok so I learned something. Acording to wikipedia: “M42 is a molybdenum-series high-speed steel alloy with an additional 8% or 10% cobalt. Tools made from cobalt-bearing high speed steels can often be identified by the letters HSS-Co.”
I am no expert but I have seen my fair share of drill bits, machine and lathe tooling and I have only remember seeing High Speed Steel, Cobalt and carbide in high quality cutting tools. Most are plain with no coatings.
I have to say I am highly suspect these no name amazon brand Chinese bits are M42. But hey maybe they got a screaming deal on a bunch of m42 steel blanks and this is an amazon gem.
I am always looking for a deal but past experience has shown me in general known brands meteorology has not been suspect. Conversley the oposite has mostly been a disaster.
Time is money for me and I don’t have time to be a product tester. Alta said his friend had good luck with those HSS-co and I have no reason to doubt him. If you have the time and are not getting paid by the hour might be worth checking out. If you want a know quantity pay the extra and check out the swiss made HSS.
Altan
As much as I know M42 (HSS Co) is HSS with minimum 8% Cobalt and M35 is with 5% Cobalt which some call it HSS E and some still call it HSS Co. Some call them both as Cobalt also. Some brands do not do coating on Cobalt or Carbide bits, Cobalt bits are not easy to recognise by the colour if they don’t have coating on them, they look so similar to HSS, but Carbide bits have a bit dark silver (metallic) colour compared to HSS in most cases. There are some brands that make Carbide tipped drill bits, not just for wood, masonry or multi purpose, even specifically for metal. Solid carbide bits can break, but carbide tipped bits would not break that much as the body is mostly made of HSS.
These Chinese made bits are made of HSS Co 5% as the description says they are M35, most brands would mention it in description if the product is 8% Cobalt. But I should admit most of the Cobalt drill bits in the market are the 5% one, even DeWALT HSS Co drill bits are with 5% Cobalt, Presto and Dormer are with 8% in general.
I myself am in favour of tool accessories made by Western brands but as the one who does a lot of research on tool accessories I should admit Chinese quality in Metal drill bits has improved a lot and are almost the same quality or sometimes better than some Western made versions. DeWALT’s old version Impact rated drill bits with black coating were made in Germany and the new version with TiN coating is made in China, the ones which were made in Germany were not made of one piece of metal and actually were plugged (sizes smaller than 7mm) but the new Chinese made ones are made of one piece of metal and have more symmetric tip. DeWALT step drill bits are also made in China.
I and my friend have used Snappy HSS step drill bits (probably made in USA) and I should say Swiss made or US made HSS step drill bit might work better than Chinese made HSS drill bit but definitely not better than Chinese made HSS Co step drill bits.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Trend-SNAP-SD-Snappy-Silver/dp/B004N8P4NS
Snappy has some lovely step drill bits made specifically for taps, of course Metric.
https://www.ffx.co.uk/tools/product/Trend-Snap-Sr-2-5027654134993-Snappy-Step-Reamer-Taps-M4-M6-M10
MarylandUSA
Altan,
With 354 inch-pounds of torque (40 Newton-meters), the Makita 18V non-impact hex driver is barely torqueier than the Milwaukee 12V 2402 Fuel non-impact hex screwdriver, which is rated at 325 inch-pounds. I’ll bet the Milwaukee is at least as torquey when equipped with an XC4.0 or XC6.0 M12 battery.
Altan
Yes, I agree. I look at this tool as a screwdriver mostly similar to the 12V one that DeWALT has, and I can use my 18V (20V) batteries with it (if I get a DeWALT version of it of course), I always like to have tools in one battery platform to be able to use the batteries for everything, less batteries and chargers around. This Makita one can be considered as an angle drill even as it is short enough and angle drills are not strong like normal drills in general.
I always prefer 3 speed drills and not the 2 speed ones, so I would like if they come up with a similar one to this Makita DDF083 but with the power of 3 speed drill.
RKA
Switzerland, not Sweden.
Altan
Yes, you are right, I think Swiss is an anglicised version of the French version of the name of the country 🙂 But Sweden is also good in making quality tool accessories, Dormer taps are mostly made in Sweden and are very quality.
Bob
These are begging to be used in an impact. Who would chuck up a drill with 50-100ft/lb of torque to a 3/4” drill necked down to 1/4” hex and not expect it to shear off? A step bit with 1/4” drive is only good for plastic. Seriously just get a hole saw, a knock out, or a real drill bit if you are going about 3/8” in metal.
Tell me again how much time you are saving and how much money you make using the wrong tool when it’s $50 and you break the bit then have to go back and re-do it.
Stuart
3/8″ thickness in metal is way too much for most if not all step drills.
Bob
3/8” hole diameter
Stuart
Ah, sorry.
I’d think they tested the bits thoroughly with a variety of drills and impact drivers before launching.
Personally, I’d be more inclined to get the larger-shanked versions for use with my drill than the 1/4″ hex-shanked ones, except for maybe the smallest size (usually 1/2″ max).
The What?
I wouldn’t waste the money on these when a hole saw gets the job done a lot faster for a fraction of the price. $105 is fkn outrageous for a 3 piece step bit set. Especially since these aren’t cobalt or made from top of the line tool steel. These are some plain hss bits and Swiss made doesn’t mean they’re special. I could understand the price if they were made by crucible industries or some other reputable tool steel manufacturer, but Swiss made doesn’t really make a difference for me. And what is an impactor?
Stuart
An impactor is European terminology for “impact driver.” Fewer letters, one word.
1) Hole saws require two drilling steps.
2) Hole saws aren’t always available in smaller sizes.
3) Waste material needs to be cleaned out of hole saws after nearly every operation.
4) Regular twist drill bits don’t always play well in sheet metal or other thin materials – they can tear through and create odd-shaped holes that are hard to correct and deburr.
Just because you don’t use step drill bits or understand how or why others use them, that doesn’t mean they’re a “waste of money.”
I’ve used Bosch Swiss-made accessories before, and their proven excellent consistency, quality, and reliability is what makes the Swiss-made part a big deal.
Hole saws are often the best tool for a job. Step drill bits are the best tools for other tasks.
Altan
European or maybe Germanic, yes, but not English 🙂
1) Hole saws require two drilling steps, but step drill bits requires minimum two drilling steps unless you need the smallest size on it.
2) I completely agree with this, and hole saws are expensive in general which makes them not easily available and would drill only one size for you. If you want a set for different sizes that would take more space then. So step drill bits are good for the ones who have space problems.
3) In cheap ones yes or in general let’s say, but good ones have a spring helping this issue.
4) I completely agree with this also.
Step drill bits are not waste of money, they have their own use. Swiss made tool accessories are always good quality, in most cases better than US made tool accessories even 🙂 specially in oscillating machine blades.
If you want something very long lasting you can go for this:
https://discuss.toolguyd.com/t/hitachi-tct-step-hole-saw/1915
fred
I completely agree. Some tools/accessories can do more than one job but may best be suited for a single purpose. For roughing in plumbing or electrical work in wood frame construction – we would mostly choose a self-feed bit. For drilling deep holes we might add an extension – or the guys might switch to a long ship auger bit. Neither of these styles are any good if the wood has nails or bits of steel embedded. So called “nail-eater” auger bits bight fare better – but their size is limited. Some guy’s use spade bits (of various designs) as their go to tool for boring studs – and these have the advantage of being easy to find at low cost.
A hole saw might be selected for boring out holes for recessed light fixtures, dryer vents – or for places where you encounter multiple different layers (wood/plaster/ lath/ metal/ siding etc.) – but stopping and staring to remove successive plugs is always a nuisance.
For somewhat deeper or tougher drilling (like into a steel wide flange) – a magnetic drill press and an annular cutter might be better than trying with a hole saw or regular twist drill bit.
For cutting clean holes in SS Sinks or electrical panels – you might choose a hole saw – but a knockout punch would make a cleaner hole.
Where the step drill excels (IMO) is in enlarging existing hole in sheet metal, electrical panels etc. For larger holes you can use 2 hole saws simultaneously chucked with something like a Starrett “oops” arbor or Bosch HE1 – but the step drill is probably easier.
https://www.amazon.com/OOPS-PILOT-ARBOR-PK-1/dp/B001LFBJKS/
Altan
This is a good arbor, never thought I would see something like this, wish would get it with 1/4″ hex shank. I have a starrett one with 1/4″ hex shank for a single hole saw for smaller sizes and from Snappy for larger diameters.
Altan
Wow, I see from the photos that the shank can be shafted in the 1/4″ hex shank arbors, amazing! Thanks Fred.
Corey Moore
This is awesome to learn of! Just last week I showed a coworker my method of boring the correct size hole in a block of material, and then c-clamping it over the incorrect first hole, but this is definitely less involving and better suited.
fred
Another interesting (I use that adjective because I’ve never seen one in use) arbor is one from Lenox – that they call “self ejecting”
https://www.tools-plus.com/lenox-7l.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-O_t_I2K5QIVhovICh3pZwQLEAYYASABEgKcs_D_BwE
Altan
I think FAMAG does something similar also.
Frank D
There are no hole saws in the smaller sizes that these stepped bits cover, hole saws are better suited to deal with wood and drywall ( than metal) and removing the plug from small hole saws is a pain.
It often is easier and certainly faster to use a step bit to create a new relatively small hole or enlarge an existing one in metal; than to go through a series of regular drill bits in increasing sizes. Need it slightly bigger for whatever reason, the next size is already installed.
Altan
No, there are.
http://www.championcuttingtool.com/champion-products/carbide-tipped-hole-cutters/champion/carbide-tipped-hole-cutters-ct3.html
If you download the CT3.pdf file in that page you will see Champion has Carbide Tipped Hole saws (cutters) with E6.3 1.4″ hex shank which the size starts from 5/8″ up to 1-3/8″. From the photo I can say they are very well designed and machined, but I have not tried them, yet. Good quality hole saws have a spring that helps to remove the waste/plug.
You are right, step drill bits are good to enlarge the existing hole, the centre of the existing hole and the new hole will remain more or less the same.
Frank D
My point to thewhat was that step drills start smaller / narrower dimension than the typical small hole saw multiple in one adapter kits we see sold everywhere. I have a few of those general purpose ones and never use the smallest sizes.
I had not considered single size items for more of a machinist shop to industrial use for home construction and remodeling. I guess I should broaden my horizon though I hardly work with metal.
The one linked started at 9/16 th of an inch …
Step drills still start at 1/8 th
Altan
Yes, I agree.
Step drill bits start at 3mm actually not 1/8″ (3.2mm) 🙂 I am just joking as we don’t need to be so precise (at least in this case).
I also don’t work with metal normally. But I love to learn about metals and metalwork. Peppa pig’s daddy (British cartoon) was in love with concrete and I am in love with metals specially Stainless Steel, I would build the whole world with Stainless Steel once and forever to reduce the amount of construction :))
If you download that PDF file you will see CT3 ones (with 1/4″ hex shank) starts from 5/8″ and the second section which is CT5 (not with hex shank) starts from 9/16″.
fred
I first saw the spring-loaded holesaws being used by sheet metal fabricators. I think the first ones I saw were Bosch HSM series – but Dewalt and others make ones too.
https://www.amazon.com/Bosch-HSM23-PieceM-23-Piece-Sheet-Metal/dp/B000WA596I
Greenlee and others make ones with a more robust design for use on stainless steel:
https://www.amazon.com/Drill-Hog-Carbide-Tipped-Tungsten/dp/B0737DNCJ8/
Altan
Have you seen this?
https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DWACM1802-Metal-Carbide-Holesaw/dp/B016U0QC0U
This is a set, but individually you can buy larger sizes also. The only problem for me is that they are not with hex shank, that is why I googled more and found Champion ones. The one in the link looks very quality though, of course USA made and expensive. I would be OK with that price if it was with 1/4″ Hex shank.
But the first link probably is BiM. I don’t like the BiM hole saws that much, the thing is the TCT hole saws are machined fully as one piece of metal and then the carbide tips are welded on them, but the process for BiM hole saws is different, it seems first the cobalt teeth are welded to a sheet metal, then it is cut to small pieces according to the diameter of the hole saw they want to produce, then they bend it and weld both ends together to make it round and then they weld that to the shank (round or hex), the welding that they do is not neat and clean generally even if they are US, EU or Japanese made, I have USA made DeWALT ones and my friend has Japanese made DeWALT ones and they are both the same almost, it is the same with Bosch ones as well. And mostly they are not able to produce a round shape hole saw with this technic, sometimes they can look a bit oval-ish. This reduces the life of the hole saw as it has to grind more material.
fred
I never saw the Dewalt set – but they look like the Greenlee ones that we had – only more economical (Greenlee always seems to me to cost a bit more than their competitors like Klein and Ideal)
https://www.amazon.com/Greenlee-648-Change-Carbide-Cutter/dp/B01DTHPWAS/
Altan
Looks good, In a set which has a quite flat case you can have up to 2.5″ hole saws.
With 1/4″ hex shank no brand goes for hole saws in diameter larger than 1-3/8″ it seems, I mean for metal drilling.
Stuart
The Bosch came out 9-1/2 years ago https://toolguyd.com/bosch-impact-tough-driving-accessories-hole-saws/ , and I’ve also seen similar Dewalt hole saws that were available for a time.
Altan
This can be used also:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TREND-SNAP-TD-2-SNAPPY-Tapered-Drill-3mm-To-14mm-/272419438700
fred
Trend seems to sell/carry many more Snappy items than what can commonly be found in the US. Trend also sells into the USA market – but mostly routers/router accessories. diamond grit files/hones and some saw blades.
Altan
Yes, you are right, the only American brand that treats UK better than US :)) Trend Snappy has a good range of quality E6.3 1/4″ hex shank tool accessories, I am very happy with their quality and mostly the quality matches the photos they provide online (rarely brands do this). If you need or like some Snappy products that are not available in US I can send you as a gift.
Altan
Snappy does make these E6.3 1/4″ hex shank taps in metric for us in the UK, sizes are M3.5, M4, M5, M6, M8 and M10. I have not seen any other brand to make M3.5 and I like that they are only taps not drill and tap, the ones that are drill and tap do break quickly, my friend uses them a lot and he was always breaking them, then I bought these ones from snappy for him, drilling with higher speed and tapping with the lowest speed.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Trend-SNAP-TAP-M35-Snappy/dp/B00382XT0K
Mike
Buy decent ones when and make sure they are straight cut ones that you can sharpen easily or have sent out to be sharpened. The guy that does my saw blades will regrind them for I think $2 a pop. So many people just run them into the ground then toss them, when good ones can we loved for a long time.