New garage time!

[fatjay]

Someone should make that into a video game!

I got nervous watching you raise the solar panel.

Imagine how nervous I was lifting it! I almost bit the dust once when a gust of wind came through.

I scored a free panel years ago that i'll use for the solar stuff. Plenty of room in here.

And it's even inspected!

 

[fatjay]

Got mag drill. Did a couple tests. Was worried that the magnetic base wouldn't hold, but sure enough, it worked great.

I was cutting to slow, around 400rpm. When I add cutting oil I'll up the speed. It maxes at 800rpm which is perfect.

https://imgur.com/wyaDz80

 

[airbiscuit]

Is there a reason you don't drill a pilot first?

 

[fatjay]

Is there a reason you don't drill a pilot first?

I did with some. I've snapped 4 bits because of it. With it clamped down, unless the drill is perfectly centered on the pilot hole, it'll put lateral pressure on the bit, which snaps them. Even if I get it perfectly centered, when I pull the bit up I can still see it moving a bit because it's not perfect.

When I was hand drilling I did pilot holes and that eased the pain a bit, but it was still taking forever.

Also changing bits is time consuming. With oil and the proper drill speed, I'm through in 10 seconds. I haven't lost a bit due to dulling yet, but 4 to breaking, and they're $18 a pop.

 

[sodamo]

Have you considered a step bit?

 

[airbiscuit]

 

[fatjay]

Have you considered a step bit?

I've never tried them, always been curious. But my material is 3/8" thick so i'm not sure it would work.

 

[fatjay]

View attachment 1510881

That's what I have.

Milwaukee 3/8 in. Cobalt Red Helix Twist Drill Bit 48-89-2321 - The Home Depot

The MILWAUKEE RED HELIX Cobalt 3/8 in. Drill Bit are engineered for extreme durability and longer life in hard metal applications. The Milwaukee Cobalt drill bits are designed with a VARIABLE HELIX that

www.homedepot.com

 

[EddieWalker]

I need to buy one of those magnetic drills. I've borrowed one from a friend and I was impressed by how much easier it is to drill through metal with it. But instead, I just buy several brand new drill bits when I have a bunch of holes to drill.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

What kind of metal is this and how can i weld it?

Not sure. Chinesium?

glad the Vevor is working.

I like a good split point drill, but a home hand regrind is pretty much out of town. Not doable. Note at center there is virtually no web.
Cobalt is the best.
https://www.amazon.com/Chicago-Latr...1b-93c2-5b86a8b7ce9f&pd_rd_i=B000LDIR5Q&psc=1