drill bits for drilling T posts??

Anonymous-0 · Aug 12, 2011

Anybody ever drilled holes in a Tpost? Finally got a deal on gate hook insulators so got enough to replace my homemade contraptions. Used bits for stanless steel, normal steel, best ones the BB store had, and couldn't get more than 3 holes out of a bit. They just won't go thru. Is there something else available that will drill them? Made a work around that may be OK by just drilling a clip on insulator and bolting the hook to it which may even be a safer solution if an animal gets stuck on it, but I wanna put holes in the posts so they didn't get the best of me.

Dave

Ron A Anderson · Aug 12, 2011

Try Cobalt bits. I seen them demonstrated on leaf springs and shanks from a field cultivator at Farmfest several years ago. The next day I brought a leaf spring and broken shank from my junk pile and told him if he could drill through my stuff I would buy a set of his bits.
I ended up buying a set plus a lot of people watching bought a set also as they were doubtful like me and when they seen him drill through my stuff they were convinced. If you (google) Cobalt drill bits you probably can find a dealer.
They weren't cheap but are top quality and will drill steel fence post easily.

Anonymous-0 · Aug 12, 2011

Is cobalt a brand or type of bit (hardness)? I googled it and turned up a dewalt set and some other brands that say cobalt....

Vernon in Ks · Aug 12, 2011

cobalt is a type. "T" posts are normaly a soft steel and should drill with a standard High speed bit. If you are burning them up your turning it to fast.

Adtrailers · Aug 12, 2011

I would opt for cobalt bits.

Actually most (95%)domestic t-posts are made from rail steel (old railroad tracks), and is heated in a furnace and then rolled down to "T" stock. Rail steel has a harder composition with a higher tensile strength than mild steel.

If you have found some than bend real easy, then they were most likely rolled from billet steel or mild steel.

Thanks!

Lamar Fudd · Aug 12, 2011

Listen to Vernon in Kansas. You're spinning the bits too fast and removing the temper/hardness thereby dulling them. You should be able to drill at least ten before resharpening. I use a bench grinder and my eye to sharpen mine and haven't bought a set in 15 years. Not 'cobalt' or 'titanium', just high speed steel.

ChasK · Aug 12, 2011

Might want to try [u:b19a30df67]Kobalt[/u:b19a30df67] tools...

Mike (WA) · Aug 12, 2011

Use a drill press, set to slowest speed. I use a little thread cutting oil, as well.

There's not a man alive with enough patience to keep a hand held drill on slow speed- you'll invariably speed it up enough to cook the bit.

Hendrik · Aug 12, 2011

1) make sure the drill bit is sharp
2) apply ample force on the drill, it should cut, not rub
3) assuming you are using a hand held power drill, apply the force on the drill so that the force is in line with the drill; this usually means that you keep the drill steady with one hand and operate the trigger, while the other hand (or even shoulder) pushes on the body of the drill.
4) as others said, keep the speed down

showcrop · Aug 12, 2011

I drilled some T posts a year or so ago, they drilled like anything else. But then all my drill bits are cobalt. Brand doesn't matter. I have bought nothing but cobalt for 15-20 years. As others have said though, I bet if you spun them fast they would get dull too.

elmersooner · Aug 12, 2011

have you tried self tapping screws? don't know the size of hole you need, but they are handy for lots of things, use them all the time here, but haven't tried on t-posts.

GordoSD · Aug 12, 2011

They make plastic clip ons for t posts. They are yellow and seel for about a quarte. Will last forever and you can run them up and down the post with the wire on them. No need to drill.

36 Coupe · Aug 12, 2011

T posts are high carbon steel.High carbon steel eats drill bits and hacksaw blades,It gives novice welders fits too.

jdtractor · Aug 12, 2011

hi i never had any luck welding or drilling t post , they are to brittle and eat drill bits like crazy.I was told by several people around this area including dealers they are made from used railroad rail which is hard very hard the manufactures that make them remelt the rails and make t post among other things. you can take it leave it the info i took it and gave up on t posts as far as drilling or welding. just my .02 cts good luck

BushogPapa · Aug 12, 2011

Take care of them and do not drop them on a hard surface..they can break..!!

Ron..

Spook · Aug 12, 2011

I have never got much milage out of hand drilling metal, it doesn't take much to chip, break or dull the drill bit. I'd put it on a drill press, and use some old oil to cool the bit. They last a lot longer that way.

PJH · Aug 12, 2011

Use a torch. . .

JDseller · Aug 13, 2011

The t post are high carbon steel. They are as hard as most drill bits. That is why you are having troubles. The cobalt bits will work a little better but not much. Are you using any oil or cutting fluid while you are drilling???? If the post are loose where you can use a drill press plus oil/coolant then you may be able to drill them.

Like One of the other guys ask. Why go to all of this trouble when a clip on isulator is 33 cents each?????
Fence insultors

Red1 · Aug 13, 2011

Hack sawed and drilled many a "T" post...no problem...slow down your drill to where it just starts to form a 'chip'....use a little all purpose oil on the bit.....

Anonymous-0 · Aug 13, 2011

(quoted from post at 04:45:08 08/13/11) Hack sawed and drilled many a "T" post...no problem...slow down your drill to where it just starts to form a 'chip'....use a little all purpose oil on the bit.....

Probably the speed....... Anyway, The idea of just drilling thru an existing insulator seems to be working fine. Tuff enough and still in a pince ruins a 10 cent insulator instead of a 3 dollar hook.

Dave

drill bits for drilling T posts??

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