Drill and step bits

With the RS range drill bits and step bits, install clean and precise holes in materials quickly, effortlessly, and inexpensively.

Whatever the make and model of your drill, it's likely our drill and step bits will be compatible, and with countless types available, including impact bits, hex bits, square bits and torx bits, our range is by your side, job after job.

Check out our extensive range of step and drill bits from well-regarded manufacturers like Makita, Greenlee, and Wiha Tools- on top of the dependable yet price-conscious RS PRO range. We also offer drill and step bit sets, providing a selection of bits to boost your flexibility even further when out on the worksite.

Look through the selection below or read on to learn more about drill and step bits: what they are, how they're used, the various types, and why the RS range is a cut above the rest. If you have any questions, get in touch. Otherwise, head on over to our expert hub for more trusted guidance.

What are drill bits and step bits? What are they used for?

Drill bits are a type of cutting implement used to create holes. They do this by excavating material, typically using a screw-like design.

Drill bits come in a very wide variety of designs and sizes, but are usually pointed, with a cutting lip on the end of the bit. Drill bits can also affix screws into a surface using a flat, cross, or hexagonally headed point, or function in the same way as an Allen key.

Step bits are like normal drill bits, except they have a stepped conical shape which lets the user drill many different sizes of hole without needing to change bits. Given that the step drill bit must be pushed in further to get a wider diameter hole, they are best used on thin surfaces and materials, such as sheet metal and wood, instead of deeper materials like masonry.

What types of drill and step bits are available?

Due to the sheer number of possibilities when it comes to drilling holes, there are numerous types of step and drill bits available- the RS range features thousands of drill bits and sets. That said, they can be categorized:

• Type of drill bit: Your choice of drill bit type depends entirely on the job at hand. Countless variations exist, from auger bits, which have an interior spiral running down the entire bit and are thus excellent for clean wood drilling, to impact drill bits, which are designed to be extra tough for use with impact drivers.
• Diameter of drill bit: In the US, most drill bit diameters are measured in fractions of inches. They are sized in 64ths of an inch- from 1/64 of an inch up to 1 inch, with increments being noted as irreducible fractions (1/32, not 2/64, for example). Drill sizes in inches are set out by ASME standard B94.11M. For metric measurements, sizes are detailed by several standards, such as the 230 sizes dictated by British Standard 328.
• Length of drill bit: You should also know the depth of the material you must drill into or through- this informs the length of your drill or step bit. Again, sizes vary, and many are available: the RS range comes in sizes from 0.748" (19 mm) to 22.44" (570 mm).
• Shoulder: Some drill bits- particularly those with very small diameters- have a shoulder. This is a cone of metal that rises up from the cutting element of the bit to the shank, to which the drill secures.
• Material: Tougher materials warrant more durable drill and step bits. As such, materials like carbide or chrome vanadium steel may be preferable for heavy-duty drilling tasks in metal or masonry compared to, say, brass or aluminum.
• Number of steps: For step drill bits, a higher number of steps results in a more flexible- but deeper drilling- tool, though a lower number can allow for drilling deeper with the initial step.

Why buy drill and step bits and sets from RS?

RS has spent decades forging close relationships with the most reliable, trusted suppliers of drill bits and step drill bits. In our range of individual step and drill bits and sets, find just the tools you need to get the job done more efficiently and at higher quality.

Take your pick from our partners including Klein Tools, Ideal Industries and Greenlee. Multiple types, materials, diameters, and lengths are available, and if you need drill bits in bulk, enjoy a great discount.

For more information on the unbeatable range of drill bits, step drill bits and sets of both on offer from RS, get in touch with our team. To make an order, browse the range above, paying attention to the in-depth datasheets available on each product page.

And while you're waiting for delivery of your drill bits and step bits, check out our expert hub for news, guides and more from your team of experts.