Help with metal drilling

[RonMar]

Yep, harder the material, the slower the drill RPM. If you don't know how to sharpen bits, go by a "Drill Doctor". Wife got me one of these a few years ago, and it is the fastest, most idiot proof way I have ever seen to touch up a drill bit. I drill old bed rails all the time as they are a very plentifull and free scrap(find them by dumpsters all the time). As mentioned, a pilot hole helps for larger holes as a large drill bit is not very good at cutting at the center/point.

 

[John D]

Good info here. Im in no way going to laugh at anyone that has ever ran the press in reverse because I have many times?? jb

 

[Deerlope]

I have found that drilling a small pilot hole merely allows the oil that you are try to cool and lube with to run away, and I have worked metal all my life. Cool tool is actually a cutting oil used in tool and die work. There is also now Cool Tool 2. Either one only take 1 drop, but I always use a little more.

 

[radman1]

I occasionally drill 1/2" metal up to 1" diameter. My biggest is 1.25" in 3/4 steel. Most stuff is 3/8 or 1/4". Drill slow. Start with small pilot hole and work your way up in sizes. Cobalt bits are good but may be more than you want to spend. I frequently use Menard's vermont american drill bits. Surprisingly not very expensive, drill pretty good and seem to last a while. You can buy cutting oil but I have also used automatic transmission oil and in a pinch used about any oil. One guy I know who works with steel everyday uses 50/50 automatic transmission fluid and cutting oil. I figure any type of oil is better than none. If bits get hot, they get dull fast and the oil keeps the bit cool.

 

[txslowpoke]

Trick with metal is start small. The harder the metal the more drilling ya got to do. You need to punch your hole first, then get a small bit, drill the hole using lube. Next , depending on size needed and/or metal you can use a unibit. Anyways you got to step up to the desired hole size when using metal. Dont think you can punch a hole with a 1/16" bit then finish off with a 1/2''. It takes time. lube and changing bits....otherwise

 

[Tractors4u]

What size hole are you trying to drill? Someone said that bed rails are hardened. I had a big stack of them one time and it was some of he softest metal I had ever worked with. Like some of the others have said, the bigger the hole, the slower your drill speed should be. I am not sure why you would be burning up bits. Go buy a good quality bit in the size you need to drill. Check the belt tension on your drill press to ensure that the belt isn't slipping. Lastly, try to find some Tap Magic brand cutting fuid. Once you use it, you will never want to drill or cut metal without it.

 

[EddieWalker]

I have a HF cheap drill press and cannot for the life of me drill a hole through the metal. I have burned 2 drill bits.

You're getting some very good advice. They are telling you the right way to do it and how it should be done. But since you only need to drill a few holes and the bits are cheapies, I'll tell you what I'd do.

You are drilling too fast and your bits are dull. The drill press is fine, you just need to slow it down. Don't worry about the cutting oil, you'r not trying to save an expensive bit, just drill a hole. Use water to keep it cool. Now you're gonna have to find a way to sharpen your bits. It's actualy pretty simple on a grinder if you have one. Look online and you'll find plenty of pictures of what a sharp bit looks like. Worse case scenerario, you can use a fine grade file.

Of couse, a good quality, brand new drill bit is gonna be $10 to $30 depending on how big your holes have to be. Then you just take your time, keep it cool and drill away.

Eddie

 

[whodat90]

An easy way to keep the bit lubricated and cooled it to use a bit of modeling clay to build a small dam (think donut) around the area to be drilled, then fill that up with oil. I also have the HF drill press, and it's spindle is pretty pitifully centered, worse so when you use the full quill travel. Put the drill bit in, put the work on the table, then bring the table up as high as you can without hitting the bit. This way you have minimum extension of the quill, and maximum solidity.

whodat

 

[patrick_g]

Amen to the CUTTING FLUID!!! It is the right stuff for the job. Motor oil is counter productive. I have used ATF in a pinch. WD-40... HMMMM the aersol will help cool the metal if you have a third hand to use to apply it or have the workpiece in a vice. YOu can actually use tap water and get better results than an oil intended as a lubricant.

Pat

 

[SPYDERLK]

motor oil is not counter productive.
Larry