Bucket Drilling Question

[Scrounger]

I've drilled thru the side of my bucket for digging teeth, but not I need to drill thru the cutting edge. THis stuff must be some real special steel since a Craftsman Cobalt drill bit will start the hole but I can't get it thru. The bit just stalls. I kept the bit lubed while drilling but I'm at a loss.

Any tips? I dont have a torch to burn a hole and I wanted it to be alot clear than burning a hole anyway.

 

[RonR]

I drilled some 3/8" holes in mine with regular steel bit, but it took a lot of pressure and a LONG time.

Ron

 

[Scrounger]

I'm not sure how I could put any more pressure on it than I have already. I might take the bucket off so I can basically sit on the drill.

After the snow that is coming tonight and tomorrow however. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Code54]

Try using some cutting oil (real cutting oil not WD40 or motor oil) it will help a ton.
Good luck

 

[simonmeridew]

I drilled quite a large hole in my bucket this Fall so that I could put a trailer ball on the front of the bucket to move my boat around. I started with a very small drill bit, maybe eighth inch diameter, it drilled easily right through as I recall. Then I went to a larger drill bit, I think quarter inch, then three eighths, up to half inch, all just regular high speed steel. I didn't have anything larger, and the ball shank was five eighths. I have a titanium nitrided carbide flame shaped bur with a quarter inch shank, which I mounted in my air die grinder, and within a minute, literally, I had enlarged the hole to fit the shank on the ball. I remember thinking at the time that the edge steel was going to be quite hard but it was not any different to drill through.
The key I think is to start with a small bit and move up incrementally.
Simonmeridew

 

[KennyV]

When you are drilling steel use turpentine to ‘lube’ your bit, if it’s sharp you will have no problem cutting steel. KennyV.

 

[HODAK]

As others have pointed out, start small and work your way up. 1/8, 1/4, 3/8, etc. This can make a big difference.

 

[PILOON]

Often I make a loop around , say a loader arm, with rope and then use a 2x4 as a lever to apply some pressure.
Beats sitting or pushing on the drill.
Also I have a slow turning hole hog that spins about 150 RPM.
With this set up I can drill 1" from the smallest pilot hole using proper lubes.
Drill chucks have 3 holes. Tighten using all 3 holes to prevent slippage helps.

 

[Scrounger]

Pilot hole, lots of cutting oil and a 1/2" bit in 1/2" drill did the trick. That is one tough bucket.

Thanks for the pointers everyone.

 

[sflranchok]

Sorry about my lack of understanding, but why do you drill through a bucket?