Use Step-bits For Drilling
It’s time for me to share with you one of my top shop secrets. This one was a game changer for me fabricating metal parts and making log furniture. The step style of drill-bit allows multiple size holes without taking the time to make changes. Step-bits cut progressively larger holes in metal fast and easy, without stopping and starting to change bits.
Three Popular Sized Step-Bits
When fabricating metal frames for log furniture I use a great deal of light gauge square and rectangle tubing, as well as a variety of steel strap, flat bar, and sheet metal. The Lennox VB4 Variable Bit, 3/16″-1/2″ is made specifically for these profiles and types of metal.
The Lennox VB4 is my go to drill bit for most everything I do, from drilling backrests, footrests, base-plates and furniture feet caps. Step-bits are made for metalwork just like what I do, making the cost almost irrelevant compared to the amount of time they save.
Fabrication 101 – Step Bits For Drilling
This video is now over 5 years old. Since then I have made countless numbers of log chairs, log benches, log rockers, log dogs, log bar stools, and many, many other pieces of log furniture, all having been drilled with step-bits. While I have tried many other brands and types of drill bits, I stand by the Lenox VB4 step bit.
ATTENTION! For all log bar-seating: I use step bits for drilling wood. When “tapering” the mounting holes in log footrests for all log bar seating, I use the Large HSS Spiral Groove Step Drill Bit, 1/4″ to 2-3/8″ as seen below. This allows a clean tapered hole in the log foot-rests for the blackened carriage bolts to recess in. Another top shop tip!
Lennox VB4
