Praise for the Unibit!!

[cpnyc23]

Just wanted to say, that if you drill enclosures with a hand drill, you've GOT to get one!!!

I can't believe how smooth it is!  Perfect holes everytime.

Best $17 I've spent in a long time

-chris

[theundeadelvis]

I love them too! You can get step bits cheap from Harbor Freight!

[andrew_k]

I've got one of these coming in my latest small bear order, but I'm wonder about drilling 1/4" socket holes in the sides of narrow enclosures; especially the tiny 1590A.

How long is a standard unibit? (excluding the shank that goes in the drill)

[Solidhex]

I think they might be a little longer than 2 inches? Each step seems to be about a third of an inch or so. I couldn't live without mine. Been using the same one for at least 9 months. I've never had any trouble but I mostly work with 1590's.

--Brad

[yano]

Yes, the Unibit is genious

[Rodgre]

I've got one of these coming in my latest small bear order, but I'm wonder about drilling 1/4" socket holes in the sides of narrow enclosures; especially the tiny 1590A.

How long is a standard unibit? (excluding the shank that goes in the drill)

This brings up a good point. I have twice made the mistake of drilling holes in a box with the bottom cover screwed in. When I drilled for the large footswitch hole, I poked through the bottom cover!

Lesson learned. 

Roger

[sixstringphil]

There is a shorter, more stubby Irwin unibit for holes 1/4" and larger.

http://www.irwin.com/irwin/consumer/jhtml/largeImagePopup.jhtml?prodId=IrwinProd100146

[Pushtone]

I've got one of these coming in my latest small bear order, but I'm wonder about drilling 1/4" socket holes in the sides of narrow enclosures; especially the tiny 1590A.

How long is a standard unibit? (excluding the shank that goes in the drill)

I have the Irwin unibit that goes up to 1/2" and it will drill the sides of a 1590A without going through the other side.
I does however leave a small dimple in the oposite side wall. This hole size would be for a standard phone open frame switchcraft jack.

[cpnyc23]

I hadn't thought about the 1590A...

I guess I would have figured that out tomorrow when I drill one...

[andrew_k]

I have the Irwin unibit that goes up to 1/2" and it will drill the sides of a 1590A without going through the other side.

Awesome man, thanks for confirming that for me.

[the recluse]

I used the unibits from harbor freight for the first time yesterday and man what a difference.  SOOOOOOOO much easier to deal with that my other (admittedly cheap) drill bits.

[soulsonic]

I, too, am a fan of the mighty Irwin Unibit! I've got two sizes and they pretty much cover all the bases. It's hard to imagine seeing a 1/2" hole cut that cleanly - truly a miracle tool!

[JFX09]

alternatively, you could use a hand bore and a deburer, works lovely and makes very snug fit.

edit:very cheap too

[John Lyons]

+1 on the hand reamer/borer. Just drill till is almost there and ream the rest of the way. A snug fit every time.
I have a Greenlee stepper bit that goes up to 1 1/8" for octal tube sockets. Try to do that with a regular drill bit!

John

[the recluse]

I have been using a hand reamer to smooth out the holes in my enclosures until I bought this set of unibits, but the harbor freight set actually cost less than my reamer.

[studiostud]

Yes.  Unibits are amazing.  I've been using them ever since my first pedal build.  I got the 3-pack from Lowes (3 different sizes).  Best electronics related purchase I've ever made.

Jeff