Drilling tool including a step drill bit
A drilling tool includes a drive assembly with a shank that is configured to couple to a power tool and a step drill bit. The step drill bit includes a body having a proximal end adjacent the shank, a distal end opposite the proximal end, and a bit axis extending centrally through the body between the proximal end and the distal end. The body is defined by a wall extending around the bit axis to define a hollow interior cavity of the body. The step drill bit also includes a plurality of axially stacked, progressively sized steps with a first step at the proximal end and a terminal step at the distal end and a flute extending from the proximal end to the distal end. The flute defines a cutting edge.
1 . A drilling tool comprising:
a drive assembly including a shank that is configured to couple to a power tool; and
a step drill bit including
a body having a proximal end adjacent the shank, a distal end opposite the proximal end, and a bit axis extending centrally through the body between the proximal end and the distal end, the body being defined by a wall extending around the bit axis to define a hollow interior cavity of the body, the wall extending from the proximal end to the distal end, the body including a drive socket that receives the drive assembly, the drive socket positioned within the hollow interior cavity, the drive socket is defined by a plurality of inner faces that are spaced and separate from the wall,
a plurality of axially stacked, progressively sized steps including a first step at the proximal end and a terminal step at the distal end, and
a flute extending from the proximal end to the distal end, the flute defining a cutting edge,
wherein the bit axis extends through the hollow interior cavity.
2 . The drilling tool of claim 1 , wherein the step drill bit further includes an opening positioned on the flute that extends into the hollow interior cavity.
3 . The drilling tool of claim 1 , wherein the drive assembly is removably coupled to the step drill bit.
4 . The drilling tool of claim 3 , wherein the drive assembly includes a drive head, and wherein the drive socket receives the drive head.
5 . The drilling tool of claim 1 , wherein the step drill bit is made of a first material and the drive assembly is made of a second material that is different than the first material.
6 . The drilling tool of claim 5 , wherein the first material is a high wear resistant material and the second material is a high impact material.
7 . The drilling tool of claim 1 , wherein the cutting edge is cladded.
8 . The drilling tool of claim 1 , wherein the step drill bit is manufactured using an additive manufacturing process or a molding process.
9 . The drilling tool of claim 1 , wherein the wall has a thickness that is at least 2 millimeters.
10 . The drilling tool of claim 1 , wherein each step of the plurality of steps includes a radial relief that extends from each step to an adjacent step.
11 . The drilling tool of claim 1 , wherein the body includes a bottom that defines an opening that extends into the hollow interior cavity.
12 . The drilling tool of claim 1 , wherein the body of the step drill bit includes a side opening that is positioned between the drive socket and the wall.
13 . The drilling tool of claim 12 , wherein the drive socket and the side opening extend into the hollow interior cavity.
14 . The drilling tool of claim 1 , wherein the drive socket is spaced from the hollow interior cavity.