HMT VERSADRIVE STEP DRILLS, STEP & CONE CUTTERS – TECHNICAL GUIDE

This guide covers HMT Versadrive Step Drills, Cone Cutters and TurboTip ImpactaStep Cutters for creating and enlarging holes in sheet and plate material. It covers materials, drilling machines, material thickness, lubrication, adapters, best practice, impact torque and rotary RPM.

Which Materials Can HMT Versadrive Step Drills & Step Cutters Be Used On?

STRUCTURAL STEEL

For best results use 506040 TurboTip ImpactaStep Cutters for material up to 12 mm thick.

HARDENED STEEL

This category of tooling is not suitable for hardened steel applications.

Consider the HMT Ultra range of broaching and drilling tools.

STAINLESS STEEL

For best results use 202050 or 209010 Cobalt Drill Bits on a rotary setting.

NON-FERROUS

All HMT tooling in this category is suitable for non-ferrous materials.

Which Drilling Machine Should I Use?

Machine	Suitability	Guidance
IMPACT WRENCH / IMPACT DRIVER	Recommended for step cutter applications.	Ensure correct torque settings are used. If an exact torque setting is not available, use the closest torque setting above the recommendation. Tooling generally performs best on higher torque settings. Low torque can cause the cutting tool to stall during the cut, which can lead to breakage.
ROTARY PISTOL DRILL	All HMT tools in this category are suitable for pistol drill use.	Rotary pistol drills are recommended for stainless steel.
COMPACT MAGNET DRILL	All HMT tools in this category can be adapted for use in a compact magnetic drill with a Weldon adapter.	Use a Weldon adapter.
LARGE MAGNET / PILLAR DRILL	All HMT tools in this category can be adapted for use in a large magnetic drill with either a Weldon adapter or a Morse Taper adapter.	Use either a Weldon adapter or a Morse Taper adapter.

What Material Thickness Can Step Drills, Cone Cutters & ImpactaStep Cutters Be Used On?

SHEET METAL – UP TO 4 MM

HMT Cone Cutters and Step Drills are recommended for this application.

Note: Versadrive Cone Cutters are designed specifically for sheet metal and should not be used in material exceeding approximately 2–3 mm thickness.

STANDARD PLATE – 5–12 MM

HMT ImpactaStep Cutters are recommended for this application.

MEDIUM PLATE – 12–25 MM

Not recommended.

Maximum step capacity in this category is 12 mm.

HEAVY PLATE – ABOVE 25 MM

Not recommended.

Maximum step capacity in this category is 12 mm.

Which Lubricant Should I Use?

SPEEDLUBE

Recommended for all general-purpose drilling applications.

BIOCUT PASTE

Recommended for overhead drilling and applications where liquid lubricant is not suitable.

BIOCUT BLUE

Recommended for general-purpose drilling, harder steels and stainless steel where heat reduction is critical.

Best choice where the material is to be welded or galvanised.

Which Adapters Can I Use?

IMPACT ADAPTERS

All tools in this category are suitable for use in Impact Wrenches and Impact Drivers where applicable.

Refer to the torque table.

PISTOL DRILL / CHUCK

The Versadrive hex shank fits into a standard drill chuck.

130 mm and 300 mm Versadrive Extension Arbors also fit standard drill chucks.

WELDON ADAPTERS

All Versadrive Step Drills and Step Cutters can be adapted for use in magnetic drills with the 111130 Adapter.

MORSE TAPER ADAPTERS

All Versadrive Step Drills and Step Cutters can be adapted for use in Morse Taper type drills with the 111045 Adapters.

HMT Versadrive Step Drill & Step Cutter Best Practice

Do I need a pilot hole or centre punch?

Step Drills and 8–16 mm TurboTip ImpactaStep Cutters generally do not require a pilot hole.

Centre punching can improve hole-position accuracy but is not essential.

Pilot drilling is helpful when the drill size is above 13 mm.

When pilot drilling, approximately 70% of the starting hole diameter is generally recommended.

What is the correct feed pressure?

Apply firm, steady feed pressure throughout the cut.

Excessive feed pressure increases heat build-up and reduces tool life.

How can I prevent chipping or breakage?

Avoid lateral movement or tilting.

Do not use excessive feed pressure.

Steady feed pressure helps keep the tool controlled and held at approximately 90 degrees to the cut.

This helps prevent snagging, chipping or kickback.

Try to maintain a consistent flow of swarf.

Is there anything specific when starting a Step Drill?

Yes.

The 4 mm tip on Step Drills should be treated with care while starting the initial hole.

What should I consider when drilling box section?

Ensure the tip of the Step Drill does not contact the far side of the box section at the same time.

Recommended Impact Torque for HMT Versadrive Step Cutters

Recommended impact torque varies according to diameter and material thickness.

Impact Torque – Nm
Diameter Range	Sheet up to 4 mm	Plate 5–12 mm	Plate 12–25 mm	Plate over 25 mm
8–10 mm	280–340	315–380	N/A	N/A
11–13 mm	300–380	335–420	N/A	N/A
14–16 mm	355–445	400–495	N/A	N/A
17–19 mm	435–545	485–610	N/A	N/A
20–22 mm	465–575	520–650	N/A	N/A
23–25 mm	670–820	750–920	N/A	N/A
26–28 mm	750–930	840–1030	N/A	N/A
29–31 mm	930–1130	1040–1270	N/A	N/A
32–34 mm	1040–1260	1170–1420	N/A	N/A
35–37 mm	1080–1300	1210–1455	N/A	N/A
38–40 mm	1180–1420	1320–1585	N/A	N/A

Recommended Rotary RPM for HMT Versadrive Step Cutters

Recommended spindle speed varies according to diameter and material type.

Spindle Speed – Rotary RPM
Diameter Range	Structural Steel – 30 m/min	Hardened Steel – 8 m/min	Stainless Steel – 12 m/min	Non-Ferrous – 50 m/min
8–10 mm	1060–955	285–255	425–380	1770–1590
11–13 mm	795–665	215–180	315–265	1325–1125
14–16 mm	635–555	170–150	245–225	1060–930
17–19 mm	530–450	145–120	205–180	885–750
20–22 mm	455–395	125–110	175–155	760–665
23–25 mm	400–350	110–95	155–135	665–580
26–28 mm	360–315	100–85	140–120	600–525
29–31 mm	330–300	90–80	125–115	550–500
32–34 mm	305–280	80–75	115–105	505–470
35–37 mm	275–250	75–65	105–95	465–430
38–40 mm	250–225	65–60	100–90	420–395

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