Drilling steel?
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Topic author - Posts: 913
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Drilling steel?
Using a commonly available titanium bit I am able to make very little progress drilling the pictured hole for the front fender hanger. Is there a better way?
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Re: Drilling steel?
Start with a small drill bit and then a few in-between sizes up to your final size.
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Re: Drilling steel?
Dewalt or Milwaukee high speed steel bit. Few bucks more but I was able to get through 16 3/8 diameter 1/4” thick holes through steel before killing drill bit. The titanium bits are hit and mis. Also Irwin bits suck hard too.
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Re: Drilling steel?
David hit on it. Too much Chinese junk in the drill market these days. To my thinking, the "titanium" drills have a "gee whiz" coating to distract from the fact that most are junk. Mind you, a well made drill, with real titanium nitride coating, is a fine tool. But, those don't come cheap!David Mazza wrote: ↑Sat Dec 12, 2020 3:26 pmDewalt or Milwaukee high speed steel bit. Few bucks more but I was able to get through 16 3/8 diameter 1/4” thick holes through steel before killing drill bit. The titanium bits are hit and mis. Also Irwin bits suck hard too.
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Re: Drilling steel?
As Kerry says, start with a small size bit. Set the drill at very low revs and ideally use tungsten carbide bits.
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Re: Drilling steel?
Some cutting oil wouldn't hurt either.
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Re: Drilling steel?
Go slow. The larger the bit, the slower the speed. I have watched lots of guys run a 1/2 inch bit at full drill motor speed and cuss and swear as the bit smoked and turned blue as it overheated and dulled. Slower speed, cutting oil, and some pressure against it will cut many holes.
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Re: Drilling steel?
I'll third the start small vote. Use your 3/8" drill to make a centre, then come at the hole in two or three steps. There's much less load required, and each drill is making a smaller cut.
Allan from down under.
Allan from down under.
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Re: Drilling steel?
Check the end of the bit and make sure it is sharpened correctly. I have seen several of those bits that were sharpened "backwards", the angle was ground the wrong direction. Those don't work too well. Dave
1925 mostly original coupe.
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Topic author - Posts: 913
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Re: Drilling steel?
Home Depot had 'Milwaukee Cobalt Red Helix Drill Bit Set for Drill Drivers'. It went through the frame like butter. Quite a difference. $13 for the single 3/8 inch $35 for the set. I purchased the set and hid it from my teenagers. Every project is a chance to buy a new tool. Now to figure out the bolt sizes for the front hangers.
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Re: Drilling steel?
Good drill bits are priceless.
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Re: Drilling steel?
Quite often the performance of a drill has more to do with the point geometry. Titanium coated drills usually have better geometry. I found that steam oxide coated drills work about as well as titanium drills with properly ground drills. Thinning the web really makes a big difference.
Art Mirtes
Art Mirtes
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Re: Drilling steel?
Dull bit. Get a “Drill Doctor” and sharpen your dull bits. Will give new life to old bits. Harden the sharpened bits by heating and quenching in oil. Jim Patrick
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Re: Drilling steel?
like Jeff Hood said " GO SLOW" and push HARD. If you drill steel fast it will just burn your bit up.
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Re: Drilling steel?
I've experienced the same thing with different parts on my T. Some things were hard as tempered steel when logic says they shouldn't be. I've ended up using a tiny dremal type grinder more than once to resize or make a new hole.
Just give me time to Rust and I'll be good as new. Wabi-Sabi
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Re: Drilling steel?
If you have one, and if it will fit, try a drill press. It will push much harder and is slower so it probably won't melt the tip as fast.
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Re: Drilling steel?
If a drill bit is allowed to turn in the work and not cut, it will harden the work, this is usually because the bit was not sharp in the first place and this will compound the effort and procedure.
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Re: Drilling steel?
Glad you were successful, I second the Milwaukee drill recommendation. I've had excellent service from their 'conventional' twist drills, which are easily hand sharpened on a fine grinding wheel without any jigs or fixtures. A sharp drill and reasonable speed and feed will produce good results.
And don't try to 'heat treat' your twist drills. HSS is inherently hard and at the same time tough, just keep them sharp. And if you have plain carbon steel drills, get a new set of HSS and' if you cannot part with the carbon steel drills, use them on wood and plastic.
And don't try to 'heat treat' your twist drills. HSS is inherently hard and at the same time tough, just keep them sharp. And if you have plain carbon steel drills, get a new set of HSS and' if you cannot part with the carbon steel drills, use them on wood and plastic.
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Re: Drilling steel?
Absolutely the best drill bits I have ever owned or seen.
Norseman, made in Minnesota.
I have a dozen other sets and these will out drill them two to one. Hard steel, brass, whatever. Stay sharp.
There is a tool company that comes to the Great Falls swap meet every year, they sell good tools. Also a little Chinese stuff but not much. She talked me in to buying a set of these. Worth every dime.
http://www.norsemandrill.com/
Norseman, made in Minnesota.
I have a dozen other sets and these will out drill them two to one. Hard steel, brass, whatever. Stay sharp.
There is a tool company that comes to the Great Falls swap meet every year, they sell good tools. Also a little Chinese stuff but not much. She talked me in to buying a set of these. Worth every dime.
http://www.norsemandrill.com/
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Re: Drilling steel?
These:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Norseman-29pc- ... SwImRYIgYd
$130 on ebay, might be cheaper someplace else.
By the way, I disagree with the idea of drilling progressively larger holes. Drill a small marker hole for the big bit to center in, get it turning the correct speed, douse it with some Mystic Metal Mover and drill the hole. One time. One bit. The hole will be straighter, closer to size and will not dull nearly as quickly.
Your mileage may vary, all guarantees between seller and buyer, no return without receipt, dead cockfight chickens not recommended for human consumption, etc.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Norseman-29pc- ... SwImRYIgYd
$130 on ebay, might be cheaper someplace else.
By the way, I disagree with the idea of drilling progressively larger holes. Drill a small marker hole for the big bit to center in, get it turning the correct speed, douse it with some Mystic Metal Mover and drill the hole. One time. One bit. The hole will be straighter, closer to size and will not dull nearly as quickly.
Your mileage may vary, all guarantees between seller and buyer, no return without receipt, dead cockfight chickens not recommended for human consumption, etc.
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Re: Drilling steel?
I agree with Stan. Holes wander off center when haggled out progressively larger.
Also agree that you need good tooling. A lot of hardware "hobbyist" bits may work in wood, but not for the machinist. I'm a little surprised no one mentioned annealing a work-hardened piece. Another thing to watch is rate of feed, and sometimes applying a coolant/lubricant can make a big difference. MHO.
Also agree that you need good tooling. A lot of hardware "hobbyist" bits may work in wood, but not for the machinist. I'm a little surprised no one mentioned annealing a work-hardened piece. Another thing to watch is rate of feed, and sometimes applying a coolant/lubricant can make a big difference. MHO.
"Get a horse !"
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Re: Drilling steel?
If you part will not fit in a drill press, use one of these.
This will give you sufficient downward pressure to quickly drill the hole.
This will give you sufficient downward pressure to quickly drill the hole.
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Re: Drilling steel?
I'd like to get some Norseman bits. I have a small set of Summit bits made in Montana and they're great drill bits.
Les, I didn't know someone actually made those! I've done similar when using a hand drill and a 2x4.
The others stared at me if I were deranged when setting up and accidentally looking like a genius when nonchalantly pushing down on the handle and drilling the hole.
Chinese drill bits suck. Plain and simple. Under the TiN coating is pure garbanzo beans.
George Carlin mentioned the first four letters of the word garbage when talking about those beans...
I also feel dumb about never thinking of annealing a work-hardened surface.
Doc, I'm gonna ask you a silly question: Why didn't you sharpen that first bit when it wouldn't cut the mustard?
Les, I didn't know someone actually made those! I've done similar when using a hand drill and a 2x4.
The others stared at me if I were deranged when setting up and accidentally looking like a genius when nonchalantly pushing down on the handle and drilling the hole.
Chinese drill bits suck. Plain and simple. Under the TiN coating is pure garbanzo beans.
George Carlin mentioned the first four letters of the word garbage when talking about those beans...
I also feel dumb about never thinking of annealing a work-hardened surface.
Doc, I'm gonna ask you a silly question: Why didn't you sharpen that first bit when it wouldn't cut the mustard?
Since I lost my mind mind, I feel more liberated
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Re: Drilling steel?
Normally I don't bring up my profession but working in Aerospace for twenty odd years, I've discovered that Cobalt drills are the best all around bits. HSS bits are junk, anything from China is junk. Solid carbide is too brittle. Carbide insert drills are fine.
Believe it or not we drill Inconel with Cobalt drill bits with great success, it's not fast but it works
Believe it or not we drill Inconel with Cobalt drill bits with great success, it's not fast but it works
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Re: Drilling steel?
Cobalt for sure. They may be from China but they are the best drill bits I have ever used. I’m talking about Harbor Freight 115 piece set. I paid $100 and that is cheap for cobalt I’m sure. I got rid of every drill bit I owned after buying these. They work great.
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Re: Drilling steel?
Nice thought about Cobalt bits.
I get ya Doc. I play the part of my father in law. He'd say Duey, I'm gonna ask you a question. OK. Tough questions always.
At home I use the bench grinder, at work I used the belt sander with a used belt.
You can do it. We all can if we look and you ain't no knucklehead.
Stepping up on my soapbox (OR...Upon this rock, I will build my church. I think of Roy, behind this gruff man was a little rock on the shelf that said that much ), the best tool for the shop, no matter how big or small, is a working bench grinder with one stone and a wire wheel.
Stumbling/tripping off that soapbox, still sounding a condescending jerk. Not meant, my friend. We're all in this together.
I get ya Doc. I play the part of my father in law. He'd say Duey, I'm gonna ask you a question. OK. Tough questions always.
At home I use the bench grinder, at work I used the belt sander with a used belt.
You can do it. We all can if we look and you ain't no knucklehead.
Stepping up on my soapbox (OR...Upon this rock, I will build my church. I think of Roy, behind this gruff man was a little rock on the shelf that said that much ), the best tool for the shop, no matter how big or small, is a working bench grinder with one stone and a wire wheel.
Stumbling/tripping off that soapbox, still sounding a condescending jerk. Not meant, my friend. We're all in this together.
Since I lost my mind mind, I feel more liberated
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Topic author - Posts: 913
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Re: Drilling steel?
No worries Duey! This is a watershed moment when I stop being a drilling child and become a drilling man! Oh say can you see by the dawns early light!...
Duey_C wrote: ↑Sun Dec 20, 2020 12:58 amNice thought about Cobalt bits.
I get ya Doc. I play the part of my father in law. He'd say Duey, I'm gonna ask you a question. OK. Tough questions always.
At home I use the bench grinder, at work I used the belt sander with a used belt.
You can do it. We all can if we look and you ain't no knucklehead.
Stepping up on my soapbox (OR...Upon this rock, I will build my church. I think of Roy, behind this gruff man was a little rock on the shelf that said that much ), the best tool for the shop, no matter how big or small, is a working bench grinder with one stone and a wire wheel.
Stumbling/tripping off that soapbox, still sounding a condescending jerk. Not meant, my friend. We're all in this together.