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Smokin Mike
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Joined: 02 Dec 2008
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Location: Winston-Salem, NC
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 Posted: Apr 14 2014 Post subject: Drilling a hole in some thick steel |
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Guys, I've checked about every rental yard within 30 miles and I can't find a magnetic base drill press anywhere. So that leaves me with hand drilling this stuff.
Here's the specifics; I need to drill some 11/16" holes in some 3/8" plate. I have a really good 1/2" drill so I got the power. My question is, should I step drill this, maybe incrementing an 1/8" each step? Just looking for way to keep from breaking my arm if the bit gets snagged. Suggestions?  |
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SoEzzy
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Joined: 13 Oct 2006
Posts: 13183
Location: SLC, UT
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| Posted: Apr 14 2014 Post subject: |
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Well as you asked the question in the welding section, I'd say weld your drill base to the plate!  
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gandrfab
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Joined: 08 Feb 2012
Posts: 242
Location: Edgewater fl
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| Posted: Apr 14 2014 Post subject: |
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Yes step, I start with 1/4".
Low rpm's say 1000 and lots of oil. |
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k.a.m.
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Joined: 12 Dec 2007
Posts: 26020
Location: Southeast Texas.
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| Posted: Apr 15 2014 Post subject: |
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I agree with gandrfab. Step drill them starting with the 1/4" then probably 7/16" and on to the 11/16".
It seems like a lot but the 1/4" is the only one you will have to work at the others will move pretty fast.
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Smokin Mike
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Joined: 02 Dec 2008
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Location: Winston-Salem, NC
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| Posted: Apr 15 2014 Post subject: |
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Thanks gandrfab and k.a.m. I'll give it a whirl and see how she goes.
SoEzzy, You haven't been thonked up side the head recently, have you? |
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Maniac
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Joined: 02 Oct 2010
Posts: 2433
Location: Pa
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| Posted: Apr 15 2014 Post subject: |
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on bigger holes i use a hole saw...low and slow.
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Blazer
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Joined: 07 Sep 2011
Posts: 254
Location: southeast ohio
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| Posted: Apr 15 2014 Post subject: |
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| Google champion rotobrute CT7 carbide tip hole cutter next best thing to a mag drill |
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Smokin Mike
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Joined: 02 Dec 2008
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Location: Winston-Salem, NC
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| Posted: Apr 15 2014 Post subject: |
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| Blazer wrote: | | Google champion rotobrute CT7 carbide tip hole cutter next best thing to a mag drill |
Wow! Proud of those things, aren't they? Not saying they're not worth it but dayuuum! 
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Tony
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Joined: 06 Feb 2005
Posts: 3486
Location: Rehoboth Beach ,Delaware
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| Posted: Apr 15 2014 Post subject: |
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| k.a.m. wrote: | I agree with gandrfab. Step drill them starting with the 1/4" then probably 7/16" and on to the 11/16".
It seems like a lot but the 1/4" is the only one you will have to work at the others will move pretty fast. |
Here is what I might do if I were "Step-Drilling " 3/8' thick plate:
Yup..lay-out and drill 1/4" -medium speed/torque-brush/spray/
dab on lubricant.
5/16" next-step up speed a bit-more lube juice.
3/8" - 7/16" -11/16" ...lube juice all the way.
One Note Of Importance...Besides the Eye Protection:
BE SURE You have the "Side- Brace" Handle attached to your 1/2" drill motor. and have a Good Solid Grip on it.
I spent more years out in the service field than some Young-uns are old here on this forum.
If You value the use of Your wrists, You may consider my advice. 
Oh...One more thing I gotta' ask: An 11/16" diameter hole is a very LARGE HOLE to drill with a hand held drill motor,no matter how powerful. How many holes do you have to drill and what is the purpose of these holes? 
Best Regards,
Tony 
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Last edited by Tony on Apr 16 2014; edited 1 time in total |
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Smokin Mike
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Joined: 02 Dec 2008
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Location: Winston-Salem, NC
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| Posted: Apr 15 2014 Post subject: |
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Thanks for the tips Tony.
| Tony wrote: | | If You value the use of Your wrists, You may consider my advice. |
That's why I'm asking. I'm an old guy too and not quite as bullet proof as I was when I was young and spunky.
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Maniac
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Location: Pa
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| Posted: Apr 16 2014 Post subject: |
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Tony an old iron worker always told me never to step drill in to small of an increment...you will not be using very much of your bit just the last tip of your cutting edge...being hand held that usually is not very good. The bigger jump with a good bit will almost self feed and not chip your bit as easy.
YMMV
Blazer +1 on carbide...i love them...but the chips get a little hot
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Tony
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Joined: 06 Feb 2005
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Location: Rehoboth Beach ,Delaware
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| Posted: Apr 16 2014 Post subject: |
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| Maniac wrote: | Tony an old iron worker always told me never to step drill in to small of an increment...you will not be using very much of your bit just the last tip of your cutting edge...being hand held that usually is not very good. The bigger jump with a good bit will almost self feed and not chip your bit as easy.
YMMV
Blazer +1 on carbide...i love them...but the chips get a little hot |
Point well taken,Brother. It all depends on the diameter
of the drill bits between the steps taken. It is necessary to indicate that gradual steps between drill bit diameters during the course of drilling will insure a given "seat" while drilling as opposed to a "chatter" that may occur given a larger step between diameters while drilling...All this with my experience while "hand-drilling" with a low-to medium r.p.m.
1/2" drill motor. Other Folks Mileage May Vary-Mine Never Did.
Best Regards,
Tony
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Smokin Mike
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Joined: 02 Dec 2008
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Location: Winston-Salem, NC
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| Posted: Apr 16 2014 Post subject: |
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Ok fellas, mission accomplished. I did the 1/4" -> 7/16" -> 11/16" combination and for the most part it went ok. I'm not saying it was a cake walk but it was do-able. I had to drill a pilot hole for the 1/4" though because it was wanting to drift on me. Brand new bit and good center punch and it still wanted to walk off. The 7/16" hole was by far the easiest. The 11/16" munched its way through but wanted to bite on the punch through. I was able to spin up the drill speed and chip through the bite.
| Tony wrote: | | Oh...One more thing I gotta' ask: An 11/16" diameter hole is a very LARGE HOLE to drill with a hand held drill motor,no matter how powerful. How many holes do you have to drill and what is the purpose of these holes? |
Tony, I apologize I didn't mean to ignore your questions. I just didn't see them until now. Yes, an 11/16" is a big honkin hole. That's why I was in search of a rental magnetic drill press. I had 4 holes to drill and they are for.......
wait for it.................
wait for it.................
A new toy!!!
http://hossfeldbender.com/benders/model-2-bender-standard.php
Woooo hoooo!!!! 
Thanks for the assist guys! I appreciate it.
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Maniac
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Location: Pa
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| Posted: Apr 17 2014 Post subject: |
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Great new toy  Would have a great time on it but the learning curve might put me over the edge Better start working out sch 40 will put manners on you
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Smokin Mike
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Joined: 02 Dec 2008
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Location: Winston-Salem, NC
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| Posted: Apr 17 2014 Post subject: |
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| Maniac wrote: | | Great new toy Would have a great time on it but the learning curve might put me over the edge Better start working out sch 40 will put manners on you |
Maniac, this bender is a hoss (no pun intended). It's a lot bigger than what it looks like in the picture on the web site. For now I'll be educating myself on some round stock and some angle iron. I don't think I'll be bending any big pipe without some hydraulic assistance.
I may start making some patio furniture to sell. Maybe in about 10 years I can pay this thing off.
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Maniac
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Location: Pa
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| Posted: Apr 17 2014 Post subject: |
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haw many dies did you get...seems like it's ala-cart?
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Smokin Mike
BBQ Super Pro
Joined: 02 Dec 2008
Posts: 3167
Location: Winston-Salem, NC
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| Posted: Apr 18 2014 Post subject: |
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| Maniac wrote: | | haw many dies did you get...seems like it's ala-cart? |
The bender, out of the box will do some basic bends but for pipe, angle iron, and other exotic stuff you got to have the dies.
I bought the die kit (10 dies) for bending angle iron flange inward. I can do 5" to 36" radius bends with the kit. It was kind of funny when I went to pick them up at the UPS store. The box was pretty small, about 12x8x6, and it weighed 102 lbs. All the employees were standing there looking at it wondering what the heck was in there.
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Wreckless
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Joined: 15 May 2009
Posts: 2292
Location: New Braunfels, TX
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| Posted: Apr 28 2014 Post subject: |
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| A little late for this thread but here goes anyway...I was eating bits like crazy, using a cutting oil straight. My best bud Jimbo and bro-in-law are both 25 yr+ Tool and Die makers and suggested a water soluable mix. That is what they use. The oil has the lube properties but not neccesarily heat reducing. The water soluable does both. FWIW |
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Smokin Mike
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Wreckless
BBQ Super Pro
Joined: 15 May 2009
Posts: 2292
Location: New Braunfels, TX
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| Posted: Apr 28 2014 Post subject: |
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| Smokin Mike wrote: | | Wreckless, is that mix similar to what they use to cool bandsaw blades as they're cutting? A sort of milky white mix? |
Yessir, that's the stuff! Bandsaw, surface grinding, maching centers / drilling, wire EDM, they use the same for all of it. I am getting like 10x longer life at least as the beauty of it is, you can mix it in a typical spray bottle and it absolutely goes into the hole whereas the cutting oil in a can I had to stop drilling to do it. If you are using a 3/8 drill that you can one hand drill with you can spray all you want. And...with the cutting oil in a can, it sucks on anything but flat / vertical drilling, horizontal not so much and overhead not at all. The water soluable spray can get that drill hole soaked in any position, as much as you like . My supply was a freebie but I think rather inexpensive, for sure cheaper than the bits I was purchasing. |
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