3/16" HSS Step Drill Bit

3/16 HSS Step Drill Bit For Precise Holes

3/16 HSS step drill bit from True Position is a black and gold jobber length drill bit designed for accurate metal drilling and durable performance in wood. The special Hi-Molybdenum tool steel construction provides strength under demanding drilling conditions, so holes stay consistent through harder materials. A 135 degree split point starts accurately without a center punch, which reduces walking on metal and saves setup time. The bit is precision ground at the point, flutes, body, clearance, and drill diameter, creating smooth chip evacuation that supports cleaner holes. Body and clearance areas have a gold surface treatment for maximum lubricity, helping the bit cut with less friction. The drill is heat treated to 2,185 F and then nitro-carburize finished at 950 F, creating steel measurably harder than standard high speed steel for extended sharpness.

Key Details That Support Drilling Performance

• Special Hi-Molybdenum tool steel construction handles work hardening grades of stainless steel and other hard metals, so installers can use one bit across demanding metal drilling applications without frequent changeouts.
• 135 degree split point is designed for fast penetration and accurate starting without a center punch, which helps position holes exactly on layout marks and reduces time spent correcting bit wander.
• Precision ground point, flutes, body, clearance, and drill diameter work together for accuracy and performance, helping produce straight, round holes that fit hardware more consistently in metal and wood.
• Body and clearance gold surface treatment improves lubricity, so the bit runs cooler as chips move along the flutes, supporting smoother drilling in metal where heat and friction are typically higher.
• Nitro-carburize steel finish is engineered to withstand substantially higher drilling temperatures while maintaining sharpness, which matters during repetitive drilling in hard materials over long runs.
• Design is described as ideal for metal drilling and having exceptional durability drilling wood, allowing one bit to handle mixed-material jobs where metal and solid woods are drilled in the same setup.

Drilling Behavior, Fit, And Hole Quality

The 135 degree split point on this 3/16 inch jobber length drill bit helps the tip bite quickly into metal, limiting skating on smooth surfaces and supporting accurate hole placement. Precision grinding of the point, flutes, body, clearance, and diameter helps the bit track straight, which contributes to holes that better match layout for hinges, brackets, and other components. The gold-treated body and clearance areas reduce friction against the hole wall, helping chips clear efficiently and reducing the likelihood of binding. Nitro-carburize hardened steel tolerates higher drilling temperatures, so the cutting edges stay effective longer when drilling into work hardening grades of stainless steel or other hard metal applications. The bit is also described as ideal for solid woods, giving a consistent cutting feel when moving from metal components to wood members in the same assembly.

Using This True Position Bit In Real Workflows

Where This 3/16 Drill Bit Performs Best

This True Position 3/16 HSS step drill bit is described as ideal for metal drilling, so it fits tasks that involve drilling through brackets, plates, or hardware made from stainless steel and other hard metals. The special Hi-Molybdenum tool steel supports drilling in work hardening grades of stainless steel, so holes can be created in tougher alloys used in shop fixtures and structural components. Its performance is also described as having exceptional durability drilling wood and as ideal for solid woods, which suits layouts where fasteners pass through steel and into hardwood or softwood members. The jobber length format offers a familiar reach for typical metal and wood drilling setups, so operators can use existing drilling stations or hand drills while benefiting from the bit's material and point geometry.

Details That Support Repeatable, Accurate Drilling

The precision ground point, flutes, body, clearance, and drill diameter are designed to provide accuracy and performance, helping each hole match the intended size for bolts, screws, or pins. The 135 degree split point promotes accurate starting without a center punch, which supports faster repetitive drilling along jigs or templates where layout marks are pre-established. Body and clearance areas treated with a gold surface for maximum lubricity lower friction against the hole sides, so the bit advances more smoothly and chips flow more freely. Heat treatment to 2,185 F followed by a nitro-carburize finish at 950 F results in steel that is measurable harder than high speed steel, supporting longer cutting life in sequences where drilling heats the bit. The nitro-carburize steel is described as able to withstand substantially higher drilling temperatures while maintaining sharpness, which helps maintain hole quality over extended runs in hard metals and solid woods.

Common Questions About This True Position Drill Bit

Select This Bit For Demanding Drilling Jobs

The True Position TP-5MMJ 3/16 inch HSS step drill bit combines Hi-Molybdenum tool steel, a 135 degree split point, and precision ground geometry to support accurate metal and wood drilling. The gold-treated body and nitro-carburize hardened steel help manage heat and friction in work hardening stainless steel, other hard metals, and solid woods. For woodworking and metalworking setups that require consistent hole size and reliable starting without a center punch, this black and gold jobber length drill bit offers a focused solution for repeatable drilling performance.