Welcome! Please use the navigational links to explore our website.
PartsASAP LogoCompany Logo (800) 853-2651

Shop Now

   Allis Chalmers Case Farmall IH Ford 8N,9N,2N Ford
   Ferguson John Deere Massey Ferguson Minn. Moline Oliver

Attention Forum Users: On the 28th of December 2023 at 9:00am Central Time, we will be taking the forums down for maintenance while we prepare the new forums for your use. Please click here for more information.

Discussion Forum

Drills for drilling steel

Welcome Guest, Log in or Register
Author 
Junkman

09-30-2002 20:44:07




Report to Moderator

I was wondering what hand drill (pistol style) would be good for drilling holes in steel. Also what speed (RPM) should a drill bit be turned to prevent overheating and dulling all my drill bits. I just put a new floor on my trailer and decided to bolt it to all crossmembers. In the process of drilling about 120 3/8" holes, I went through 4 drill bits. I guess it is time for a Drill Doctor. lol. Thanks for any info

[Log in to Reply]   [No Email]
Butch (OH)

10-03-2002 06:39:19




Report to Moderator
 Re: Drills for drilling steel in reply to Junkman, 09-30-2002 20:44:07  
Spindle speed for a 3/8 HS bit can approch 1000RPM in mild steel and be OK. One big mistake people make is using light pressure thinking they are saving the bit and nothing could be further from the truth. Cutting oil helps a little with heat but by far the most important thing is to keep a good heavy chip flowing across the point. The chip is what carries the heat away. Use heavy pressure, (with a 3/8 bit and a good drill you can lay on it), and when the drill starts through lighten up. Rust is a big cutting tool ruiner too, if that trailer frame was rusted you did OK getting 30 holes per bit. Depending on your eyesight, bits bigger than about 3/16 are best sharpened by hand and it isn't really too difficult to do or I couldn't do it. Take a new bit and a used one and hold them side by side so you know what you need to accomplish. You always grind with the wheel turning from the cutting edge to the heal. Use the right side of your bench grinder wheel and you will be grinding the right direction. You have a lot of room to practice on a 3/8 bit and what do you have to lose if it's no good as is?

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Dennis Benson

10-01-2002 19:57:32




Report to Moderator
 Re: Drills for drilling steel in reply to Junkman, 09-30-2002 20:44:07  
Slow speed is good. Have you considered self tapping screws?



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Ed

10-01-2002 19:00:42




Report to Moderator
 Re: Drills for drilling steel in reply to Junkman, 09-30-2002 20:44:07  
I would suggest cobalt drill bits. They are about the hardest you'll find and stay sharp longer.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Tom

10-01-2002 18:34:32




Report to Moderator
 Re: Drills for drilling steel in reply to Junkman, 09-30-2002 20:44:07  

You need one of the drills that only turn about 500-750rpm. Use it for any hole over about 5/16". Start with a pilot of about 1/8" in a faster drill, about 1200 to 1600rpm. If you keep the drills sharp and cutting they will last good. It is easy to chip drills with hand drills as you can't hold them perfectly straight and one side or the other can dig in and chip. Hold it as steady and straight as you can, use some king of cutting oil, thick stays on better sometimes and use enough feed pressure to keep the drill cutting. If it isn't cutting and a continuous chip comming out of the hole,it is scrapping along and dulling the cutting edge. Ease off on pressure and maybe power when you feel it beginning to break thorogh to avoid it catching and possibly breaking the drill. When using a high torque drill ( any with a slow speed) make sure you have a good grip with both hands, if the drill does catch and stop the drill motor will want to take your wrist off, and it can if you don't have a good grip.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
TimC

10-01-2002 13:44:30




Report to Moderator
 Re: Drills for drilling steel in reply to Junkman, 09-30-2002 20:44:07  
If you drill a small pilot hole then you can fill with a cutting oil. It continually feed lube to the drill and helps keep it cool.

If you wanted to try it, find one of the high tech anti friction compounds out there. Militech and prolong might be similar to what I use. It treats the metal, in this case the drill bit and it won't get hot or dull. Search the web for these products.

I drilled two pilot holes in half inch steel then drilled out with 3/8th and the peice and the drill bit never got more than good and warm. You could hold both in your hand and just tell they were warm and not hot like you were using cutting oil alone. Works great on drill bits, bearing, motors and trannys too. Reduces friction/heat.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
jake

10-01-2002 08:23:42




Report to Moderator
 Re: Drills for drilling steel in reply to Junkman, 09-30-2002 20:44:07  
Drilling a pilot hole of 1/8 will eliminate trying to push a 3/8 drill into a blind hole. Use the slowest speed about 1200 RPM and lub the tip of the bit if possible. Trying to muscle a 3/8 through steel and it's going to heat up.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
JoeK...More than you needed to know..Link

09-30-2002 21:09:22




Report to Moderator
 Re: Drills for drilling steel in reply to Junkman, 09-30-2002 20:44:07  
I've had great luck with B&D Bullet bits for routine hobbyist/projects and light metal working.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
[Options]  [Printer Friendly]  [Posting Help]  [Return to Forum]   [Log in to Reply]

Hop to:


TRACTOR PARTS TRACTOR MANUALS
We sell tractor parts!  We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]

Home  |  Forums


Copyright © 1997-2023 Yesterday's Tractor Co.

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy

TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters

Website Accessibility Policy