PANOVOSFour Spiral Flute M35 Cobalt Step Drill Bit Set 1/8"-7/8"(3pcs),Impact Ready Four Flute Step Drill Bit, 1/4" Hex Shank Step Bits for Drilling Metal, Stainless Steel, Aluminum, Wood, Plastic

This stepped drill bit is very well-made, well-finished, and has a good range of hole sizes. The steel is great for metal drilling, and everything else I've throw at it so far.As another reviewer mentioned, the only real down-side to this bit is the lack of labeling. Having legible markings at each step saves a lot of time, since you don't have to keep stopping to check the hole size.

Review: PANOVOS Four Spiral Flute M35 Cobalt Step Drill Bit Set 1/4" - 3/4"(9 Sizes), Impact Ready, Four Flute Step Drill Bit,1/4" Hex Shank, Step Bits for Metal, Stainless Steel, Aluminum, Wood, PlasticSorry for the following definition of M35 Cobalt coating, which is on this step drill, but it's good to understand the hardness level of this bit. M35 has a very high hardness for this step drill, with the addition to a 5% coating of Colbalt. There are actually two different types of this coating. The difference between M35 and M42 is the amount of Cobalt. M35 has a 5% Colbalt coating and M42 has an 8% Colbalt coating. The M35 steel, with the 5% Colbalt coating, is referred to as TiAlN, which means Titanium Aluminum Nitride while the M42 is referred to as Aluminum Titanium Nitride (AlTiN).The hardness of M35 drill bit is usually between 65-67, and the hardness of M42 drill bits is usually between 67-70. The M35 (this step drill) is less hard than M42, but M42 is more brittle and more susceptible to breakage at high temps. The Titanium Aluminum Nitride (M35) advantage over M42 is its retention of hardness at higher temperatures due to the oxidation-resistance and, although 8% cobalt drill bits will drill slightly harder metals than M35, they are also more brittle and therefore more likely to break if not used in a very controlled situation. The hardness of M35 drill bit is usually between 65-67, and the hardness of M42 drill bit is usually 67-70. The price of M35 material is also lower than that of M42.Now onto this step drill bit. This bit does have the M35 coating and will drill hard metals. It is very sharp to the touch and could have easily cut my fingers if not careful. I've attached some photos trying to illustrate this.It has 9 steps from 1/4-inch to 3/4 of an inch. This is a nice range and will be able to drill most things in a home workshop.The lettering, for each step, is a bit hard to read in person, but looks better in the photo. It is kind of a dark yellowish color and not bright enough to easily read. The range of the step drill is located on the shaft and is much easier to read, perhaps because it is shown on a lighter color steel, while each step is written on the dark colored bit itself.All in all, this is a very good bit and will work very well doing its job.

This step drill bit is made out of good quality cobalt steel and it is holding up nicely drilling through tougher metals. The only problem I have with it is the steps aren't labeled with what home size they are and the few that are aren't legible. That's a big problem if you are drilling a hole and need a precise size. Other than that, it's great. 1 star deduction for the sizing issue, even HF cheap steps are labeled in a legible fashion on each step.

This is a high-quality step drill bit. I am not sure why they mention "impact ready," in that you don't need an impact driver to use it. The description says it can drill 9 different size holes. However, I measured the unit I received, and it seems that the maximum hole size is 5/8 inch, rather than 3/4. You never know you need one of these until you wish you had one of these. I took off one star due to the missing 3/4 inch step size.

These are exactly what you want in step drill bits. Cut very precise and clean holes in heavy duty metal. Most people will never need these but when you do need them they are very nice to have.