Buy Step Drill Bits Online in Australia
Step Drill Bit Selection — Quick Reference
Step drill bits drill multiple hole sizes with a SINGLE BIT in sheet metal + aluminium + plastic + thin-gauge steel — without changing bits between holes. Stepped cone design advances through progressively larger holes. Workshop standard for electrical + sheet metal work.
| Step Drill Type | Best For | Common Sizes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard HSS Step Drill | Mild steel + sheet metal + general workshop | 4-32mm range typical |
| HSS Cobalt (M35/M42) Step Drill | Stainless + tough sheet — extended life | Same range — higher hardness |
| TiN-Coated Step Drill (Titanium Nitride) | Production + extended tool life | Yellow-gold coating — most common premium |
| Spiral Flute Step Drill | Better chip evacuation + smoother cut | Premium tool geometry |
| Single-Cut (One Spiral Flute) | Most common — workshop standard | — |
| Double-Cut (Two Spiral Flutes) | Faster cutting + better chip clearance | Premium option |
| Common Step Range Configurations | 4-12mm / 6-20mm / 6-30mm / 4-32mm | Match to typical hole sizes |
| Imperial Step Drill (1/8" - 1-1/4") | US-spec sheet metal work | Imperial graduations |
Critical: Step drills cut on the EDGE of each step — feed slowly to allow cutting; forcing = broken steps + uneven holes. Use cutting fluid — extends life dramatically. NOT for thick material — limit to material thickness < step depth. For thick stock use twist drill + reamer instead. Brands: Sutton Tools, Bordo. Companion: drilling, cobalt drill bits, hole saws.
Drill Multiple Hole Sizes with a Single Bit Using HSS Step Drill Bits
Step drill bits are the efficient solution for drilling a range of hole sizes in sheet metal, aluminium, plastic and thin-gauge steel without changing bits between holes. The stepped cone design allows the operator to drill progressively larger holes in the same material by advancing the bit to the next step — each step representing a specific diameter increment.
This makes step drills particularly useful for electrical panels, chassis fabrication, enclosure work and anywhere a range of hole sizes is needed in thin sheet material. AIMS Industrial sells numerous step drill bits from four cutting tool brands - Bordo, Saber, Sutton Tools and P&N - precision cutting tool brands supplying engineers, tradespeople and fabricators across Australia.
The Step Drill Bits Range
Our extensive product range covers HSS bright finish, TiN-coated and Quick Silver M2 HSS step drills from 4.32mm through to 13mm in various step increments.
- Bordo: Bordo supplies step drill bits including Bright Finish and Quick Silver M2 HSS variants. Bordo’s step drills cover a range of diameter progressions for sheet metal and light gauge steel fabrication applications.
- Saber: Saber supplies step drill bits including the 8035-M3 Essential HSS TiN Coated series. Saber’s TiN-coated step drills offer an extended tool life over uncoated HSS, making them the practical choice for workshops that drill sheet metal in regular volume and need their step drills to last.
- Sutton Tools: Sutton Tools supplies step drill bits including the D504 High Speed Steel series. Sutton Tools brings precision geometry and consistent heat treatment to their step drills — resulting in clean, burr-free holes and accurate step diameters across the full range of the bit.
- P&N: P&N supplies 3 step drill bits including HSS TiN Coated (Metric 8035-S1) variants for targeted size requirements. P&N is an Australian cutting tools brand with a strong trade and engineering supply heritage.
Choosing the Right Step Drill Bit
Step drill bit selection comes down to the material thickness, the required hole size range and whether TiN coating is warranted for the application volume.
- Material Thickness: Step drills are designed for sheet metal and thin stock up to approximately 3–4mm thick. In thicker material, the step geometry does not provide the rigidity or chip clearance needed for clean drilling — jobber drill bits are the correct choice for materials over 3mm.
- Diameter Range: Select a step drill whose size range covers all the hole diameters you need to drill. Having the right step increments reduces the number of individual bits required and keeps the bit advancing through material efficiently without over-drilling each step.
- HSS Bright vs TiN Coated: TiN-coated step drills (Saber 8035-M3, P&N 8035-S1) last significantly longer than uncoated HSS in production use. For occasional sheet metal work, bright HSS is adequate. For regular or production use, TiN coating pays for itself quickly in reduced bit replacement frequency.
Expert Support: Need help buying the right product for your application? Contact our team for application-specific advice or request a quote.
Australian Business, Local Supply: As a proudly Australian business since 1988, we stock locally and work with trusted local Australian manufacturers and distributors to ensure fast, reliable supply.
Also see our jobber drill bits, hole saws, drill chucks, masonry drill bit sets and power tool bits ranges.