Tag Archives: irwin

Tools

Irwin Lock-n-Load Quarter-inch bit extensions can save your bacon

Irwin make some very nice quarter-inch drive extensions in different lengths that you can use for extending your reach of everything from screwdriver bits, socket drivers and even step drills. I have even stacked the units for getting into really bizarre locations. I have use them for everything from reaching down inside butt stocks to loosen Frozen bolts, to truck firewalls, to holding Spade bits while drilling custom holes for recoil absorbing mercury cylinders, and so forth.

Irwin Lock-n-Load 1/4-inch bit extension on a metal surface

Irwin Lock-n-Load extensions & step drill bits on workbench

They are not very expensive and are definitely something I would recommend keeping in your toolbox for those times you have to reach something that is set way back.

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Tools

Step Drills Can Simplify the Drilling of Clean Holes in Sheet Metal and Relatively Thin Stock

One type of drill I use a lot are step drills.  They are best thing since sliced bread for cutting circular holes in sheet metal and relatively thin stock where the the thickness of the material is less than the height of the “step” in the drill.  Unlike a normal twist drill, the step drills will not thread onto sheet metal and make a mess.  You get a nice hole on one side and if you can reach the back side, you can come at it from that direction and remove burrs very easily.

I keep a variety of step drills including some odd-ball drills that are very similar but stepless that I mainly for opening up some odd non-critical sized hole.

CRKT HalfAChance K920KKP machete blade showing wear and sharpening marks

I also have several lengths of Irwin extensions that I use for holding step bits, spade bits, screw-drivers and just about anything else with the common 1/4″ interface.  I’ve even plugged one extension into another to reach really remove parts and can’t even guess how many times these extensions have saved my bacon.

CRKT HalfAChance K920KKP machete blade showing wear and sharpening marks CRKT HalfAChance K920KKP machete blade showing wear and sharpening marks CRKT HalfAChance K920KKP machete blade showing wear and sharpening marks

I’d recommend that you keep all of these handy. If you can, buy a known good brand as it will probably last longer.  My problem with imported cheap bits in the past is that they dull fast.  Irwin, Dewalt, Klein, Milwaukee and other name brands might be something you want to invest in if you plan to use them a lot.

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