Champion’s new tap and die sets include heavy-duty High Speed Steel taps which allow users to cut new threads in medium to hard steel alloys.

Drill Bits and Cutting Tools

Tougher Bits and Cutters

for Tougher Materials

If you make holes as part of your job, you know that just any bit or cutter won’t cut it anymore. Today’s increasingly challenging and exotic materials would simply shrug off old-school cutters so manufacturers have brought new designs and materials of their own to the game. Drill, baby, drill!

CHAMPION CUTTING TOOLS

“After listening closely to industry feedback, Champion upgraded our tap and die sets to better serve professionals operating our tools,” says Allison Frey, Champion chief marketing officer.

“Almost all tap and die sets on the market include carbon steel taps and low quality hardware. This limits users because carbon steel is only recommended for the clean-up of existing threads in low to medium steel alloys.”

Champion’s new tap and die sets include heavy-duty High Speed Steel taps which allow users to cut threads in medium- to hard-steel alloys.

“When engineering our sets, it was also important to upgrade the hardware,” Frey says. “Now, operators will optimize productivity by using industrial-grade ratcheting style wrenches with quick-change holders. We are confident that these sets fill a void for professionals in the construction, steel fabrication, automotive, MRO and MEP markets.”

They are available in three convenient sets: 40-piece UNC/UNF; 40-piece Metric and 62-piece UNC/UNF/Metric.

Champion recommends that operators use BruteLube cutting fluid while threading to increase tool heat resistance, cut cleaner threads and prolong the life of their taps and dies.

HOUGEN MANUFACTURING

Hougen is redefining annual cutters with its new Quad Helix Cutters for deep hole drilling. Their continuously expanding flutes with four helix angles enhance chip evacuation for faster holes.

After many years of development and testing, Hougen has engineered a new cutting tool design to help metal fabricators drill holes deeper and more effectively with small, lower powered machines.

“Fabricators increasingly require the ability to drill deeper holes in various materials. In response, Hougen has introduced the Quad Helix Cutters, a completely new design that redefines the standard annular cutter for deep hole drilling,” says Greg Londrigan, marketing director.

“These cutters now feature a patented Quad Helix design on the flutes, significantly reducing the need to pause and clear chips, thereby enhancing the already superior productivity of Hougen cutters.”

Four distinct helix angles on the flutes work with an auger-style feed to efficiently extract chips from deep within the hole. The Quad Helix design is standard on all Hougen cutters for 4- and 6-inch-deep holes. Available in diameters starting at 13/16 inch, these tools are made in the USA and can be resharpened for extended use. Additionally, stack-cut geometry is offered for drilling through two or more layers of material simultaneously.

Hougen Manufacturing provides a comprehensive range of hole-making equipment tailored to the needs of machine shops, fabricators, steel erectors, installation crews and maintenance personnel. The product lineup includes everything from lightweight, ultra-low profile magnetic drills to large, heavy-duty production-style drills.

Additionally, Hougen offers a broad selection of magnetic drill accessories, annular cutters for various applications, heavy-duty industrial annular cutters for machining, cutters for holemaking in sheet metal and thin plate and the Punch-Pro Electrohydraulic hole punchers.

Walter Surface Technologies’ product line has grown with emerging demand for specialized tools like cobalt drill bits for stainless steel and tailored coolants for specific materials.

WALTER SURFACE TECHNOLOGIES

“In recent years, there’s been a noticeable shift in the manufacturing industry toward pairing the right tool and coolant for specific applications and materials,” says Marc-Olivier Singher, senior product manager, Tooling, for Walter Surface Technologies. “The days of single drill bits for various tasks are long over.

“Instead, we’ve noticed a growing trend involving the use of specialized tools like cobalt drill bits for stainless steel and tailored coolants for specific materials, which we believe is driven by the need for increased productivity and efficiency in fast-paced environments where companies have multiple projects with little time to finish them.”

Historically, many customers would use one type of drill bit or coolant across different materials, but as specialized tools became more in demand, Walter noticed that more customers began requesting material-specific solutions.

To meet these needs, Walter’s product specialists work closely with customers, providing them with expert guidance to ensure they have the right tools and fluids for their specific applications.

MAKITA USA

Three is better than four: Makita 3-cutter carbide bits deliver the material-cutting capability of common 4-cutter bits, but with rounder holes for improved anchor fitment.

“The Makita carbide program is a perfect complement to our broad line-up of powerful rotary hammers,” says Wayne Hart, senior communications manager, Makita USA Inc. “The program offers a wide range of premium solutions for concrete and masonry applications.”

SDS-Plus rotary hammers and carbide drill bits are go-to’s for precision drilling applications including anchor installation. Makita 2-cutter drill bits are a faster option when drilling into masonry material without rebar. They feature a tri-zone flute design that rapidly removes dust for more efficient drilling, and a Z-Form tip point which drives the bit straight for more accurate holes.

Makita 3-cutter drill bits deliver the material-cutting capability of commonly used 4-cutters without compromising on speed. With an aggressive head geometry, the bits are ideal for drilling into reinforced concrete and hard aggregate. The 3-cutter bit is engineered to deliver rounder holes for improved anchor fitment.

Additional SDS-Plus options include stop drill bits for precise anchor installations, rebar cutter drill bits for concrete-embedded rebar and hollow dust extraction bits engineered to remove waste material while drilling when used with a dust extractor.

Makita carbide bits for SDS-Max rotary hammers are the ideal heavy-duty solution for the most demanding masonry applications, such as through-holes for piping.

Makita 6-cutter drill bits feature premium carbide tips and an aggressive head geometry for drilling into reinforced concrete and hard aggregate, but with rounder holes for improved anchor fitment.

Makita 2-Cutter drill bits are a faster option when drilling into masonry material, without rebar. The Tri-Zone flute design rapidly removes dust for more efficient drilling, and the Z-Form tip point drives the bit straight for more accurate holes.

Makita SDS-Max bits also include hollow dust extraction drill bits as well as core drill bits, tunnel drill bits and demolition steel.

CS Unitec 6 Series annular cutters drill holes up to 4 inches deep three times faster than twist drills. The company’s cutter line also includes HSS, TiAIN, TCT and Cobalt cutters.

CS UNITEC

“CS Unitec leads the industry with our Unibroach annular cutters and Soft Percussion dry diamond core drill bits designed to meet the demands of concrete and metalworking professionals,” says Jonathan Carroll, director of product marketing. “Our annular cutters and carbide-tipped hole saws produce holes three times faster than twist drills and leave clean, burr-free holes. Our annular cutters are available in hardened high-speed steel, titanium aluminum nitride (TiAlN), tungsten carbide tipped (TCT) and cobalt.”

CS Unitec cutters are designed with dual-action tooth geometry for faster, cleaner cuts that maximize efficiency by cutting only the periphery of the hole, leaving a solid slug and reducing material waste.

Available in diameters up to 6 inches and depths up to 10 inches, these cutters are perfect for structural steel and hard metals, even in challenging conditions like rust or paint. Stack geometry cutters are also available.

“Our Soft Percussion drill bits, designed for the ESD 162 Dry Core Drill, revolutionize dry drilling in rebar-reinforced concrete, hard concrete and stone,” Carroll says. “Paired with the new model 1635 ‘Ultimate’ vacuum, they deliver clean, dust-free drilling without slurry or mess.”

With a maximum diameter of 8 inches, the CS Unitec system of dry drilling maintains high working speeds during extended periods.

THE M.K. MORSE COMPANY

The cutting tool market is rapidly advancing with new carbide and coating options. Morse is dedicated to offering its customers the best value for their cutting needs.

“We’ve found that for certain specialized applications, carbide and coated products surpass bimetal or high-speed steel (HSS) tools in the categories we produce,” says Ryan Rhodes, commercial product manager.

For instance, Kraken carbide-tipped hole saws, carbide-tipped hole cutters, and Professional Carbide (Pro-CT) reciprocating saw blades are excellent choices. These tools are engineered for tough, abrasive materials and deliver enhanced speed, longevity, and user experience. However, they usually come with a higher price compared to bimetal or HSS tools.

“However, carbide isn’t always the best choice for every application. Due to their higher cost, carbide-tipped options can sometimes result in a higher cost per cut. Our extensive research and practical experience demonstrate that in many cases, a bimetal hole saw or reciprocating saw blade can provide equal or superior performance at a more economical cost in non-ferrous or mild-steel applications.”

Kraken carbide-tipped hole saws, carbide-tipped hole cutters and Pro-CT recip blades from M.K. Morse deliver enhanced speed and longevity in tough, abrasive materials.

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CONTRACTOR SUPPLY MAGAZINE

The October/November 2024 of Contractor Supply magazine is here!

Our cover story, A Rewarding Passion - Dale Hahs II, third-generation of Denver's AIS Industrial & Construction Supply, is STAFDA's incoming 2025 president.

A Special STAFDA section featuring a welcome address, an agenda, session previewss by presenters and much more. Also in this issue are our Industry Updates on: Lifting, Moving and Material Handling; Lasers, Levels and Measurement; Hand Tools; Cordless Power Tools; Drill Bits and Cutting Tools; and Toolboxes, Bags and Belts.

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