J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

Specifically Steel, the youngest has been mithering me for ages to "Motorise his Scooter", so I thought sod it, might as well and its coming on well, a cordless drill has given its life for the project, a base plate made and bolted to it, bearings put through, axle made and all welded up but I really struggle with drilling metal, its only 3 mm plate steel but it just kills the drills and I know to go slowly and stop start so it doesnt get too hot but how come my drills just go blunt ?

Is it because they are cheap ? any recommendations for decent metal drills or technique suggestions ?

NotoriousREV

What size holes? Do you need to drill a pilot hole first? Don't go too fast, use lubricant.

MMT WRX

Use HSS (high Speed Steel) drills and put a spot of oil on to lubricate the cutting edge.

mikef04

iTrader: (7)

a dormer drill bit, good amount of pressure and also a bit of lube as already said

Setright

Well...you pays yer money...


Spend a little extra on the drill bits. Something steel specific. Cobalt tip is a good bet.

Be advised that "HSS" means High Speed Steel, not hardened metal heads. HSS is good for drilling in cast iron (which is soft and not very abrasive). You need a good "hard metal" bit for drilling in steel billet/plates.

Cobalt, tungsten carbide....you decide exactly how expensive the bit needs to be, but you will be saving money in the long run, since a proper drill bit, used for the correct materials will last much longer.

The Zohan

Yup, thats how i would do it.

PaulC72

It is about the drill bits really as decent sharp one will go through 3mm steel without a thought, the drilling speed is also important but not so much on 3mm.

If you don't have any oil use washing up liquid, if nothing else you'll get a nice smell ;-)

But tbh if you have a few small holes to drill you should have no problems just using a good bit even without lubrication.

Will

nick172sport

iTrader: (6)

whos hole you drilling tonight

kingofturds

iTrader: (1)

I'd recommend some safety goggles l, I have had a few close shaves where only my eye lids have stop shards of red hot drill bits blinding me.
Use a centre punch to stop the drill bit sliding, and use a 3mm bit to start a pilot hole.

shooter007

mix oil and water in a squeezy bottle and us liberally this will lubricate and cool the bit at the same time heat is the enemy and will blunt you drill bit very quickly ps a little detergent will help the mix

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

Im with you on that one KOT, I dont mess about and my cycling glasses are actually safety goggles so I just bumg them on, I did manage to drop a hot bit of metal in my shoes today tho made me hop around like a right gibbon.

Will buy some decent bits and try all the advice, I want a Pillar Drill as well, they are much better.

neilwrx

iTrader: (7)

make sure the gutting angle on the drill bit is correct and like said before start with a pilot hole and use lube!oh and if its cds it will be rock hard!

dazdavies

iTrader: (22)

Drill slowly,

Drilling fast with an electtic drill will just burn the bit and make what you're drilling harder.

I use an electric drill but I'm careful with the "trigger" finger and moderate the speed of the drill. That way you'll find the bit cuts into the steel better.

hodgy0_2

100% true -- plus I use a small jar filled with oil -- and dip the drill bit in it every 30 seconds or so - both lubricates and cools the drill bit

PaulC72

Make sure you turn off the hammer function

G00ner

I've seen that done a few times.

kingofturds

iTrader: (1)

Even better on tiles

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

Ok, thats drilling sorted, how about cutting, have been using a jigsaw and hacksaw but its slow and wears the blades out, any suggestions for a quicker method ?

Trout

iTrader: (1)

Plasma cutter!!!!!!

GC8

Mikes hit the nail on the head here. Dormer tool make the best drill bits that you can buy. Different metals require differing techniques which you can Google, but theyll all require a half-decent tool.

Will

Angle grinder with a cutting disk??

GC8

You can buy a holder for a 4.5" grinder from CPC, for about £10. This converts it into a chop saw and a good metal cutting disc will last you all day.

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

My tool of choice

Jacko; use less elbow grease with the power tools mate. Especially metal blades in jigsaws, very light pressure and just let the blade do the work - apply pressure and you'll just overheat and kill the blade.

Same goes for using cutting discs on grinders - apply hard pressure and the disc will shrink to the size of a 2p piece in a matter of minutes.

PaulC72

You must be doing it wrong then, if you have the right blade for your jigsaw and it is only around 3mm metal then you should be able to cut all day without problems, you can lubricate the blade just like the drilling to make it last longer and cut better. Slow and steady speed it should go through like a knife in butter tbh.

Having 10 years metal fabrication experience does help though

The grinder and cutting disk idea would be suitable but accuracy is slightly impeaded and can be quite tricky.

I doubt you would get hold of a plasma cutter, but if you could

Will

**** me. i googled Angle Grinder to see what's what and clicked on images by mistake and had SafeSearch off!!!!!!!!!!! Don't do it!!!!

PaulC72

Looks painful lol.

The Zohan

searchsafe off huh - you been looking at old men's ******* again?