Recommended drill bits for hardened steel?

[shock]

Need to get some drill bits for around the farm. Thinking cobalt?

 

[kozal01]

How hard is the steel? Not much short of carbide will drill hardened steel if its truly hard.

 

[shock]

Honestly, I'm a novice on the types of steel out there. I suspect steel like used on State snow plow trucks are 1/2" hardened steel?

Farm implements like disks, plows, planters I'm not exactly sure but know my off the shelf bits get ruined pretty quick trying to drill on this type of material.

Help?

 

[ArlyA]

Honestly, I'm a novice on the types of steel out there. I suspect steel like used on State snow plow trucks are 1/2" hardened steel?

Farm implements like disks, plows, planters I'm not exactly sure but know my off the shelf bits get ruined pretty quick trying to drill on this type of material.

Help?

You might be better off with a plasma touch then.

 

[chim]

I don't know you or exactly what you're drilling, so don't take this as an insult or attack. I worked construction and fabrication and know lots of people who needed some coaching when using drills. Number one issue was mashing the trigger all the way. Others were not enough pressure and no lube. Some could go through 10 X as many bits as others.

There are all sorts of bits with regard to the material they're made of, grinds, etc. More information would help someone more knowledgeable than I give you some great input.

 

[Sportsman762]

Hardened steel is challenging to drill. Lots of oil when drilling is key. I like Champion, Viking, Norseman, and Cle-line drill bits.

 

[shock]

I don't know you or exactly what you're drilling, so don't take this as an insult or attack. I worked construction and fabrication and know lots of people who needed some coaching when using drills. Number one issue was mashing the trigger all the way. Others were not enough pressure and no lube. Some could go through 10 X as many bits as others.

There are all sorts of bits with regard to the material they're made of, grinds, etc. More information would help someone more knowledgeable than I give you some great input.

No offense taken. I learned a lot just from my search of drill bits today. Learned I have a lot to learn.....Appreciate the input!

 

[ruffdog]

Speeds and feeds are important. Drilling harder metals need a much lower rpm, but still need to maintain a chip load so you don't do a bunch of rubbing. If you are not constant and steady, chipping of the cutting edge of the drill may happen.

 

[ruffdog]

also...if rubbing with a dull bit does happen, it may work harden the material and be much harder to drill.

 

[kozal01]

Ok, sounds like I could be a few different types and conditions of steel. A pretty safe rule of thumb is the file test. Take a metalworking file and run it across an edge of the steel you’re working on and if it skates right off the material without leaving a mark it will be too hard to drill/cut with high speed steel tools, carbide or a plasma/torch will be needed.