HMT Versadrive Impactastep Cutter - Data Sheet & User Advice
Technical Sizes & Specifications ▼
| Metric | ØD (mm) | l1 (mm) | l2 (mm) | L (mm) | Step Diameters (mm) |
| 506040-0160 | 16 | 82 | 10 | 112 | 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 |
| 506040-0220 | 22 | 85.5 | 12.5 | 115 | 14, 16, 18, 20, 22 |
| 506040-0260 | 26 | 89.5 | 16 | 118 | 18, 20, 22, 24, 26 |
| 506040-0320 | 32 | 94 | 20.5 | 123 | 24, 26, 28, 30, 32 |
| Fractional | ØD (") | l1 (") | l2 (") | L (") | Step Diameters (") |
| 506050-0010 | 9/16 | 3-5/16 | 3/8 | 4-27/64 | 5/16, 3/8, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16 |
| 506050-0020 | 13/16 | 3-17/32 | 27/64 | 4-5/8 | 9/16, 5/8, 11/16, 3/4, 13/16 |
| 506050-0030 | 1-1/16 | 3-3/4 | 13/16 | 4-55/64 | 13/16, 7/8, 15/16, 1, 1-1/16 |
MATLAS Technical Guidance ▼
| Material | |
| 1.1 Structural Steel | For best results use 506040 TurboTip ImpactaStep cutters (up to 12mm thickness materials). |
| 1.2 Hardened Steel | This category of tooling is not suitable for hardened steel applications. Consider the HMT Ultra range of broaching and drilling tools. |
| 1.3 Stainless Steel | For best results use 202050 or 209010 Cobalt Drill bits on Rotary setting. |
| 1.4 Non Ferrous | All HMT tooling in this category is suitable for non‑ferrous materials. |
| 1.5 Additional Notes | Heat Affected Zones (HAZ) are areas of metal exposed to welding, flame cutting or other high temperatures and are often harder to drill, enlarge or re‑work. Reduce RPM, increase feed pressure, and use a rotary drilling machine with a powerful motor. Plasma or Flame Cut holes: These can be tapered or poorly finished. Specify drilled holes to avoid issues. Punched holes: Edges may be hardened by the punching action, affecting material structure. |
| Apparatus / Drilling Machines | |
| 2.1 Impact Wrench | Impact wrenches and drivers are recommended for step cutter applications. Use correct torque settings (see Torque Table P125 / P142). If no exact match, choose the next highest torque. Higher torque gives best performance. Low torque may cause stalling and breakage. |
| 2.2 Rotary Pistol Drill | All HMT tools in this category are suitable for pistol drill use. Recommended for stainless steels. |
| 2.3 Compact Magnet Drill | All tools in this category can be adapted for compact magnet drills with a Weldon adapter. |
| 2.4 Large Magnet / Pillar Drill | All tools can be adapted for large magnet drills using a Weldon or Morse taper adapter. |
| 2.5 Additional Notes | Regularly check slides, handles, arbors and moving parts for vibration loosening. Ensure a debris‑free surface of at least 10mm steel thickness for strong magnet hold. For cordless tools, ensure sufficient battery charge to avoid torque drop and tool damage. If the drill has a variable speed trigger, use full speed once the correct gear is selected. Feathering the trigger causes inconsistent speed and torque. |
| Thickness | |
| 3.1 Sheet Metal up to 4mm | HMT Cone Cutters and Step Drills are recommended. |
| 3.2 Standard Plate 5–12mm | HMT ImpactaStep Cutters are recommended. |
| 3.3 Medium Plate 12–25mm | Not recommended — maximum step capacity is 12mm. |
| 3.4 Heavy Plate above 25mm | Not recommended — maximum step capacity is 12mm. |
| Lubricant | |
| 4.1 SpeedLube | Recommended for all general‑purpose drilling applications. |
| 4.2 BioCut Paste | Recommended for overhead drilling and situations where liquid lubricant is unsuitable. |
| 4.3 BioCut Blue | Recommended for general drilling, harder steels and stainless steels where heat reduction is critical. Best choice if the material will be welded or galvanised. |
| 4.4 Additional Notes | Ensure regular application of quality cooling lubricant, especially on thick or hard materials. Use flood coolant to prevent work hardening. |
| Accessories | |
| 5.1 Impact Adapters | All tools in this category are suitable for use in impact wrenches and drivers (see Torque Table). |
| 5.2 Pistol Drill / Chuck | Versadrive Hex shank fits any standard drill chuck. 130mm and 300mm Versadrive Extension Arbors fit all drill chucks. |
| 5.3 Weldon Adapters | All Versadrive Step Drills and Step Cutters can be used in magdrills with the 111130 adapter. |
| 5.4 Morse Taper Adapters | All Versadrive Step Drills and Step Cutters can be used in Morse Taper drills with the 111045 adapters. |
| Best Practice | |
| 6.1 Do I need a pilot hole or a centre punch? | Step Drills & 8–16mm TurboTip ImpactaStep Cutters generally do not need a pilot hole. Centre punching can improve accuracy but is not essential. Pilot drilling is helpful above 13mm. Pilot drilling to approx. 70% of the starting hole diameter is recommended. |
| 6.2 What is the correct feed pressure? | Apply firm, steady feed pressure throughout the cut. Excess pressure increases heat and reduces tool life. |
| 6.3 How many holes can the tool last? | Many customers report HMT tooling lasting hundreds of holes, but results vary by application. HMT can use MATLAS details to estimate tool life. |
| 6.4 How can I prevent chipping or breakage? | Avoid lateral movement or tilting. Do not use excessive feed pressure. Maintain steady pressure to keep the tool at 90° to the cut. Maintain a consistent flow of swarf. |
| 6.5 Additional Notes | The 4mm tip on Step Drills should be treated with care when starting the hole. When drilling into box section, ensure the tip is not contacting the far side simultaneously. Drilling environments vary widely; users must determine safe working practices and risk assessments. Always use appropriate PPE, follow correct procedures, and inspect tooling before use. |
Torque & RPM Guide ▼
| Diameter | Impact Torque - Nm | Spindle Steel - Rotary RPM | ||||||
| Sheet up to 4mm thick | Plate 5-12mm thick |
Plate 12-25mm thick | Plate over 25mm thick | Structural Steel (30 m/min) |
Hardened Steel (8 m/min) |
Stainless Steel (12 m/min) |
Non-Ferrous (50 m/min) |
|
| 8-10mm | 280–340 | 315–380 | N/A | N/A | 1060–955 | 285–255 | 425–380 | 1770–1590 |
| 11-13mm | 300–380 | 335–420 | N/A | N/A | 795–665 | 215–180 | 315–265 | 1325–1125 |
| 14-16mm | 355–445 | 400–495 | N/A | N/A | 635–555 | 170–150 | 245–225 | 1060–930 |
| 17-19mm | 435–545 | 485–610 | N/A | N/A | 530–450 | 145–120 | 205–180 | 885–750 |
| 20-22mm | 465–575 | 520–650 | N/A | N/A | 455–395 | 125–110 | 175–155 | 760–665 |
| 23-25mm | 670–820 | 750–920 | N/A | N/A | 400–350 | 110–95 | 155–135 | 665–580 |
| 26-28mm | 750–930 | 840–1030 | N/A | N/A | 360–315 | 100–85 | 140–120 | 600–525 |
| 29-31mm | 930–1130 | 1040–1270 | N/A | N/A | 330–300 | 90–80 | 125–115 | 550–500 |
| 32-34mm | 1040–1260 | 1170–1420 | N/A | N/A | 305–280 | 80–75 | 115–105 | 505–470 |
| 35-37mm | 1080–1300 | 1210–1455 | N/A | N/A | 275–250 | 75–65 | 105–95 | 465–430 |
| 38-40mm | 1180–1420 | 1320–1585 | N/A | N/A | 250–225 | 65–60 | 100–90 | 420–395 |
| Diameter | Impact Torque - Ft Lbs | Spindle Steel - Rotary RPM | ||||||
| Sheet up to 5/32" thick | Plate 5/32-1/2" thick |
Plate 1/2-1" thick | Plate over 1" thick | Structural Steel (30 m/min) |
Hardened Steel (8 m/min) |
Stainless Steel (12 m/min) |
Non-Ferrous (50 m/min) |
|
| 5/16"–13/32" | 205-250 | 230-280 | N/A | N/A | 1060–955 | 285–255 | 425–380 | 1770–1590 |
| 7/16"–33/64" | 220-280 | 245-310 | N/A | N/A | 795–665 | 215–180 | 315–265 | 1325–1125 |
| 9/16"–5/8" | 260-330 | 295-365 | N/A | N/A | 635–555 | 170–150 | 245–225 | 1060–930 |
| 11/16"–3/4" | 320-400 | 360-450 | N/A | N/A | 530–450 | 145–120 | 205–180 | 885–750 |
| 25/32"–7/8" | 345-425 | 385-480 | N/A | N/A | 455–395 | 125–110 | 175–155 | 760–665 |
| 29/32"–1" | 495-605 | 555-680 | N/A | N/A | 400–350 | 110–95 | 155–135 | 665–580 |
| 1-1/32"–1-3/32" | 555-685 | 620-760 | N/A | N/A | 360–315 | 100–85 | 140–120 | 600–525 |
| 1-1/8"–1-7/32" | 685-835 | 765-935 | N/A | N/A | 330–300 | 90–80 | 125–115 | 550–500 |
| 1-1/4"–1-11/32" | 765-930 | 865-1045 | N/A | N/A | 305–280 | 80–75 | 115–105 | 505–470 |
| 1-3/8"–1-15/32" | 795-960 | 890-1075 | N/A | N/A | 275–250 | 75–65 | 105–95 | 465–430 |
| 1-1/2"–1-19/32" | 870-1045 | 975-1170 | N/A | N/A | 250–225 | 65–60 | 100–90 | 420–395 |