Drilling stainless steel

[JES2727]

Does anyone have any advice or tips to make it easier to drill stainless? Sharp bits & lots of oil, I know - but it still kicks my butt sometimes.

[electricalperson]

Does anyone have any advice or tips to make it easier to drill stainless? Sharp bits & lots of oil, I know - but it still kicks my butt sometimes.
slow speed tons of oil and good bits. probably drill a small pilot hole first and step up to larger holes

[celtic]

Does anyone have any advice or tips to make it easier to drill stainless?

Drill ...............s...............l...............o.. .............w...............l...............y
Press HARD
When you see a curl of material start to come up, you have the right mix of speed and pressure....keep that curl coming and you'll be fine.

If you are using a hole-saw...there probably won't be a curl ~ but still, drill slow and hard.

I use no lube at this point ~ I have mad skills :D...............it's true

[480sparky]

Yes, patience is a virtue!

[celtic]

Yes, patience is a virtue!

I suggest turning off the Metallica and heading over to Barry Manilow territory :D

[tyha]

is it stainless where you need to be using Kobalt bits instead of steel or something like that. back me up here

[roger]

is it stainless where you need to be using Kobalt bits instead of steel or something like that. back me up here

Regular bits work fine, but as already said, slow speed and pressure is the key.

Roger

[zbang]

is it stainless where you need to be using Kobalt bits instead of steel or something like that. back me up here

Got to use cobalt bits, the regular high-speed steel ones will dull in two blinks of an eye. The nitride bits are better than HSS, but the cobalt ones are still better. I keep a few select sizes of them in a separate pack just for SS.

Also- http://www.irwin.com/irwin/consumer/jhtml/askIrwinList.jhtml?key=/irwin/consumer/repository/AskIrwinRepository/BMCO_0020Bits.xml&asked=yes

[JES2727]

I thought maybe there was a secret about drilling stainless that they never told me during my apprenticeship. I guess not.
I'll try the cobalt bits. Thats' something I haven't tried yet.
Thanks

[Ken9876]

oil, slow, 135 degree split point, cobalt

[brantmacga]

I suggest turning off the Metallica and heading over to Barry Manilow territory :D

oh i like that!

its michael buble for me though.

[electricalperson]

I suggest turning off the Metallica and heading over to Barry Manilow territory :D
if someone played barry manilow at the job site i would be one upset guy

[480sparky]

if someone played barry manilow at the job site i would be one upset guy

Simon and Garfunkel? Carley Simon? Neal Diamond?

[brantmacga]

if someone played barry manilow at the job site i would be one upset guy

i'd probably laugh; then sing along. it'd be like working on "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition". :)

[electricalperson]

i'd probably laugh; then sing along. it'd be like working on "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition". :)
i worked with a plumber that loved death metal. we got along pretty well. cradle of filth is incredible :D

[brantmacga]

i worked with a plumber that loved death metal. we got along pretty well. cradle of filth is incredible :D


well, i wouldn't say incredible. :wink: a guy beating the heck out of a double bass drum during every song doesn't do much for me. i got out of the screamo death metal scene a few years ago. :smile: i actually played in a cradle of filth inspired band once. weird times.

[wireguru]

I use no lube at this point ~ I have DULL DRILL BITS :D...............it's true

fixed............

[ches2443]

Does anyone have any advice or tips to make it easier to drill stainless? Sharp bits & lots of oil, I know - but it still kicks my butt sometimes.


Here's the skinny on drilling stainless. First there's two schools of thought. The first is to drill hard & fast before the metal has a chance to heat up. The second is to drill slow and easy. In both cases use plenty of cutting oil to keep the metal cool. The reason for this, is to keep the metal from heating up, because too much heat will change the temper of the metal. Once that happens, the stainless will become so hard that no bit of any type will go thru. HERE'S A LITTLE TRICK. When drilling with hole saws. Put a wet rage inside the hollow of the hole saw and that will help with the heat problem. Also keep your eye on the drill bit shavings. If they are turning blue, then the metal is getting too hot.

[quogueelectric]

I have a good trick for holesawing SS buy a set of greenlee 660 carbide cutters and blast through stainless like it was made of butter. I have my second set being shipped to me right now. I had my first set for 2 years until it was stolen last week. I cried for days.

[masterinbama]

no one came up with the Kingston Trio

[480sparky]

no one came up with the Kingston Trio

Jim Croce, Glenn Campbell, Fleetwood Mac, the Byrds, Moody Blues, Janis Ian, Cat Stevens, Nancy Sinatra, Bread, Anne Murray, Jan & Dean, Dion, the Del-Vikings, the Tokens, Foreigner, Dusty Springfield, Gene Pitney, BTO, CCR, Carl Perkins, BJ Thomas, Bobby Vee, Strawberry Alarm Clock, the BeeGees, Three Dog Night, the Captain and Tennille, Dawn with Tony Orlando, the Union Gap with Gary Puckett, Petula Clarke, Paul Anka, the Hollies, Blue Suede, the Partridge Family, the Doobie Brothers, Bread, James Taylor, Frankie Valli, Gilbert O'Sullivan.......

[electricalperson]

Jim Croce, Glenn Campbell, Fleetwood Mac, the Byrds, Moody Blues, Janis Ian, Cat Stevens, Nancy Sinatra, Bread, Anne Murray, Jan & Dean, Dion, the Del-Vikings, the Tokens, Foreigner, Dusty Springfield, Gene Pitney, BTO, CCR, Carl Perkins, BJ Thomas, Bobby Vee, Strawberry Alarm Clock, the BeeGees, Three Dog Night, the Captain and Tennille, Dawn with Tony Orlando, the Union Gap with Gary Puckett, Petula Clarke, Paul Anka, the Hollies, Blue Suede, the Partridge Family, the Doobie Brothers, Bread, James Taylor, Frankie Valli, Gilbert O'Sullivan.......
sounds like the stuff my parents listen too. i do like cat stevens a lot

[480sparky]

.... i do like cat stevens a lot

Yusuf Islam these days.

[360Youth]

I suggest turning off the Metallica and heading over to Barry Manilow territory :D

I don't know, it may feel like twice as long and increase the impatience of the whole affair. :grin:

[sgeers]

I have a good trick for holesawing SS buy a set of greenlee 660 carbide cutters and blast through stainless like it was made of butter. I have my second set being shipped to me right now. I had my first set for 2 years until it was stolen last week. I cried for days.


agreed. well worth the money

[LarryFine]

Jim Croce, Glenn Campbell, Fleetwood Mac, the Byrds, Moody Blues, Janis Ian, Cat Stevens, Nancy Sinatra, Bread, Anne Murray, Jan & Dean, Dion, the Del-Vikings, the Tokens, Foreigner, Dusty Springfield, Gene Pitney, BTO, CCR, Carl Perkins, BJ Thomas, Bobby Vee, Strawberry Alarm Clock, the BeeGees, Three Dog Night, the Captain and Tennille, Dawn with Tony Orlando, the Union Gap with Gary Puckett, Petula Clarke, Paul Anka, the Hollies, Blue Suede, the Partridge Family, the Doobie Brothers, Bread, James Taylor, Frankie Valli, Gilbert O'Sullivan.......No Beatles? :confused:

[480sparky]

No Beatles? :confused:
Who ?:D

[cadpoint]

Drill ...............s...............l...............o.. .............w...............l...............y
Press HARD
When you see a curl of material start to come up, you have the right mix of speed and pressure....keep that curl coming and you'll be fine.
...:D...............it's true

I totally agree.
You have to let the drill bit do its work.
Any metal drilling at proper speed per the metal, one should create "C" chips. The softer the material the bigger the chip the harder the smaller but as always you should create a curl and if a spirals your truly at the correct speed and force. The spiral is just "C" chips unbroken and your removing material continually.

[LarryFine]

No Beatles? :confused:Who ?:DThem, too. ;)

[electricalperson]

Them, too. ;)
i seen the who a week or so after john entwhistle died

[frankgi]

Commercial kitchen equipment installers use "Windex" as a lubricant for drilling ss. That and a slow speed on the drill.

[jrannis]

find some Tap Magic http://www.tapmagic.com/TMwhere.htm
you can cut through stainless with a dull bit in reverse

[brantmacga]

find some Tap Magic http://www.tapmagic.com/TMwhere.htm
you can cut through stainless with a dull bit in reverse

you can attest to that? of course not in reverse, but is it really that good?

[jrannis]

you can attest to that? of course not in reverse, but is it really that good?

Nothing better.
We used the Windex gag on people too.:D

[peter d]

I once had to install a bunch of stainless steel disconnects for a hotel kitchen dishwasher setup. The foreman came back with a whole box of holesaws from the supply closet for me to kill. (No wonder CES went out of business. :roll: ;) I used WD-40 and drilled slowly as suggested, but I still managed to get the holesaws glowing red. :cool: All in all I think it took two holesaws per hole.

[iaov]

well, i wouldn't say incredible. :wink: a guy beating the heck out of a double bass drum during every song doesn't do much for me. i got out of the screamo death metal scene a few years ago. :smile: i actually played in a cradle of filth inspired band once. weird times.I've done some of my best work listening to Black Sabbath but some days clasical music on Public radio is just the ticket.

[brantmacga]

I've done some of my best work listening to Black Sabbath but some days clasical music on Public radio is just the ticket.

if you like classical, XM has a couple of nice channels in "Classical" and "Pops". One of my favorite is a channel that plays movie scores. I love it. This is a little cheesy, but the score from "Pirates of the Caribbean" is one of my favorites. I have the Klaus Badelt and Hans Zimmer versions in my ipod.

[celtic]

i worked with a plumber that loved death metal. we got along pretty well. cradle of filth is incredible :D
Check out Children of Bodom - oops i did it again (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1sguF2D1UA) .....a bit heavier than Britney had in mind ~ not really a "video"....just the album cover of CoB and the cover tune.

BTW..CoB is a Finnish death metal band 8-)
http://fsmat.at/%7Eatrax/Florilegium/Children-of-Bodom_Follow-the-Reaper_cover.jpg

[76nemo]

Jim Croce, Glenn Campbell, Fleetwood Mac, the Byrds, Moody Blues, Janis Ian, Cat Stevens, Nancy Sinatra, Bread, Anne Murray, Jan & Dean, Dion, the Del-Vikings, the Tokens, Foreigner, Dusty Springfield, Gene Pitney, BTO, CCR, Carl Perkins, BJ Thomas, Bobby Vee, Strawberry Alarm Clock, the BeeGees, Three Dog Night, the Captain and Tennille, Dawn with Tony Orlando, the Union Gap with Gary Puckett, Petula Clarke, Paul Anka, the Hollies, Blue Suede, the Partridge Family, the Doobie Brothers, Bread, James Taylor, Frankie Valli, Gilbert O'Sullivan.......



D*mn, need some help there Ken? Where's Dylan, Guthrie, Prine,.....................?

[celtic]

D*mn, need some help there Ken? Where's ....

...the bong.



:D

[76nemo]

...the bong.



:D


I hate these three letters, but,.....OMG!!! You talk about laugh!!!!! Thank gosh the kool-aid was already down:grin:

[celtic]

I hate these three letters, but,.....OMG!!! You talk about laugh!!!!! Thank gosh the kool-aid was already down:grin:

I do what I can my man 8-)

:D

[76nemo]

Celtic, you are too much. I have to forward that one:wink:

[mattsilkwood]

i found something better than tap magic its about the consistency of honey. the stuff stays right on your bit so well you can drill upside down with it. i cant think of the name of it but ill post it after work, weve got some in the gang box.

[480sparky]

D*mn, need some help there Ken? Where's Dylan, Guthrie, Prine,.....................?

the Mamas and the Papas, the Diamonds, the Tempos, the Beach Boys, the Cowsills, the Crests, the 4 Seasons, the Byrds, the Platters, the Supremes, the Grass Roots, the OJs, the Rascals, the Righteous Brothers, the Beach Boys, the Safaris, the Hollies, Hamilton Joe Frank and Reynolds, Rupert Holmes, Paul Anka, Pablo Cruise, Sammy Johns, Robert John, Englebert Humperdinck, Jackie DeShannon, Olivia Newton-John, Dan Hill, James Taylor, Shaun Cassidy, Peggy Lee, Don McLean, Fats Domino, Crispian St. Peters, Bobby Freeman, Peter Frampton, Gene Vincent, Little Richard, Bobby Darin, Sandy Nelson, Eddie Money, Stevie Nicks, Jimmy Buffet, Jackson Browne, Oliver, Daryl Hall and John Oates, Rufus, Cannibal and the Headhunters , Joe South and The Believers, Blood Sweat and Tears, KC and the Sunshine Band, Booker T and the MGs, Tommy James and the Shondells, Exile, Chic, Sweet, Boston, Bread, America, Donovon, Commodores, Hot Chocolate, Paper Lace, Atlanta Rhythm Section, the Isley Brothers, the Edgar Winter Group, the DeFranco Family, the Brotherhood of Man, Blue Oyster Cult, Meat Loaf, Mott the Hoopie, WAR, Rhythm Heritage, Starland Vocal Band, Fleetwood Mac, Pacific Gas & Electric, Poco…..

[electricalperson]

Check out Children of Bodom - oops i did it again (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1sguF2D1UA) .....a bit heavier than Britney had in mind ~ not really a "video"....just the album cover of CoB and the cover tune.

BTW..CoB is a Finnish death metal band 8-)
http://fsmat.at/%7Eatrax/Florilegium/Children-of-Bodom_Follow-the-Reaper_cover.jpg
that reminds me..one of the greatest shows ive ever seen was danzig. im an incredibly huge misfits fan and he sang all of his old stuff. one of the loudest shows ive ever seen and the pit was pretty fun too.

someone said something about drilling using WD-40 as lube. doesnt WD-40 smoke like crazy when used as a lube for a drill bit? ive seen people that drill metal all day use some pink paste that acts as a lube and it seems to work pretty well.

[mattsilkwood]

i found something better than tap magic its about the consistency of honey. the stuff stays right on your bit so well you can drill upside down with it. i cant think of the name of it but ill post it after work, weve got some in the gang box.its norseman ultra lube

[celtic]

that reminds me..one of the greatest shows ive ever seen was danzig. im an incredibly huge misfits fan and he sang all of his old stuff. one of the loudest shows ive ever seen and the pit was pretty fun too.

Danzig is from NJ http://forums.mikeholt.com/images/icons/icon14.gif




someone said something about drilling using WD-40 as lube. doesnt WD-40 smoke like crazy when used as a lube for a drill bit?

Yup..it will smoke....but before that, you'll ( a generic "you'll) burn the bit up because now that you have WD-40 on it - it's good to go! :D
NOT:mad:

:smile:

[electricalperson]

i heard lenox cutting oil is good. i use rigid brand cutting oil when i thread conduit

[nolabama]

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h313/crutchfieldenterprisesinc/Danza.jpg
cobalt and very slow - use a plasma torch if you can

[electricalperson]

go easy when using taps too. without enough cutting oil they will break. dont try to twist it all in you need to go back and fourth and go deeper a little at a time

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B000000I2R.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

[electricalperson]

ive also made the stupid mistake of using those greenlee drill bit and tap in one i believe its DTAPKIT or something like that in thick metal. they dont really work too well in bigger pieces of metal and they snap like twigs when the threads grab when the bit its not poking out on the other side. better to use a hand tap than one on a drill

[jrannis]

ive also made the stupid mistake of using those greenlee drill bit and tap in one i believe its DTAPKIT or something like that in thick metal. they dont really work too well in bigger pieces of metal and they snap like twigs when the threads grab when the bit its not poking out on the other side. better to use a hand tap than one on a drill

Those drill taps are nice for Sheet metal. I dont think I would try them in something over 3/16"

[kevinkk]

I have had the pleasure of working with stainless on a regular basis

My method of choice is to use a small plasma cutter to quickly punch a hole just large enough to fit the stud of my punch.
The KO will remove the burn marks around the plasma cut hole.

This may seam like over kill but if you need a number of holes the math is simple
Plasma hole in about a second
Drilled hole a few minutes

I use a small 120 volt non pilot tip plasma cutter I got off eBay for $500
and a small tank of CO2 but a small air compressor works also

After the speed achieved using this method on Stainless I now use it to start holes in any metal when a number of holes are required

Death metal goes great with this especially if you factor in the welding goggles

[musthafa]

Does anyone have any advice or tips to make it easier to drill stainless? Sharp bits & lots of oil, I know - but it still kicks my butt sometimes.

Use a center punch to guide the bit.
Make a pilot hole of smaller diameter.
Use proper bit (like cobalt with split point).
Select proper drill speed.
Use hard backing surface beneath the area to be drilled.
Use good quality of cutting oil.
Raise the bit out of the hole frequently to avoid over heating.

[Fulthrotl]

I thought maybe there was a secret about drilling stainless that they never told me during my apprenticeship. I guess not.
I'll try the cobalt bits. Thats' something I haven't tried yet.
Thanks

if you are doing it freehand, i use a 1/2' hole shooter, and the
cobalt bits, 135 degree point is best, but a good quality bit has
a better lifespan.

the best lube ever made was the clear stuff by tapmatic, but i don't
believe it's available anymore, at least in calif. (CARB pollution regs)
it has the consistency and odor of lighter fluid, but not flammable.

as much pressure as you can bring to bear on the work, and the
slowest speed possible. ideally, you should be able to watch the
individual flukes on the bit go around and around. maybe 100 rpm.

if you've got a sharp bit, and the right speed and feed, you'll be
able to turn a perfect non burned shaving off each side of the bit,
and they will reach 6 or so inches before breaking. it's kind of cool
to watch. it'll also punch a 3/8" hole thru 1/2" 304 plate in a minute
and a half to two minutes.

if you spin it too fast, you'll gall the stainless, and they you are gonna
be there all day. once it work hardens, you may have to use a carbide
bit to get thru it.

good luck. leave the barry manilow at home. everyone knows the
best music to drill stainless by is dire straights, which is what you'll
be in if you gall that stainless.


randy

[LHarrington]

Good Morning,
Drill slow and use coca cola and a lubricant.

LHarrington

[quogueelectric]

When I have to use reg bits I flutter the drill trigger so the bit / holesaw only goes 1 revolution at the most and comes to a complete stop each time. The key is not to heat up the steel enough to harden it(That blue color) This will only slow the cutting process down and damage the bit. This process will drill ss fairly quickly.

[LarryFine]

Good Morning,
Drill slow and use coca cola and a lubricant.
"No Coke; Pepsi!"

[LarryFine]

This process will drill ss fairly quickly.And wear out your trigger even faster. 8-)

[JES2727]

.... use coca cola

Use coca cola for what exactly?

[celtic]

Use coca cola for what exactly?

To mix with the rum, of course :)

[Fulthrotl]

To mix with the rum, of course :)

you're supposed to mix rum *with* something? why?

[celtic]

you're supposed to mix rum *with* something? why?
...because soda tastes funny :D

[ohm]

I like to use bacon grease drippings for drilling & cutting. I run the variable speed up and down until the chips are just right.

I also have several sets of saws, drills & taps with me and a drill doctor if the bits get dull.

The bacon smell will drive everybody crazy including the tax guys when you expense a slab of bacon.

[quogueelectric]

And wear out your trigger even faster. 8-)
Like you have ever worn out a trigger in your lifetime. Pah lease!!

[Fulthrotl]

...because soda tastes funny :D

then why are you mixing it with perfectly good rum?

pour the soda out, be grateful that you dodged that bullet,
and pour the rum....... nevermind... i'm only kidding....
i've been known to drink rum and cokes on occasion....

i've also been known to knock back shooters of 151,
but only to celebrate special events.... like wednesday,
for example. or groundhog day.

but i never, ever have it over chocolate chip ice cream
for breakfast anymore...


randy

[LarryFine]

Like you have ever worn out a trigger in your lifetime. Pah lease!!I haven't, but I've seen more than one cordless require a new one.

[Ken In NJ]

We do a lot of restaurant work, and drill stainless all the time .. I use the greenlee carbide kit for bigger holes and cobalt bits .. all cooled with water .. not oil .. that is what I was told by a stainless steel equipment installer, years ago

[Greg Swartz]

I have a good trick for holesawing SS buy a set of greenlee 660 carbide cutters and blast through stainless like it was made of butter. I have my second set being shipped to me right now. I had my first set for 2 years until it was stolen last week. I cried for days.
Outstanding set.
I have not seen it's match.

Drill bits: Cobalt all the way
Lube: Anchor lube

[TOOL_5150]

the Mamas and the Papas, the Diamonds, the Tempos, the Beach Boys, the Cowsills, the Crests, the 4 Seasons, the Byrds, the Platters, the Supremes, the Grass Roots, the OJs, the Rascals, the Righteous Brothers, the Beach Boys, the Safaris, the Hollies, Hamilton Joe Frank and Reynolds, Rupert Holmes, Paul Anka, Pablo Cruise, Sammy Johns, Robert John, Englebert Humperdinck, Jackie DeShannon, Olivia Newton-John, Dan Hill, James Taylor, Shaun Cassidy, Peggy Lee, Don McLean, Fats Domino, Crispian St. Peters, Bobby Freeman, Peter Frampton, Gene Vincent, Little Richard, Bobby Darin, Sandy Nelson, Eddie Money, Stevie Nicks, Jimmy Buffet, Jackson Browne, Oliver, Daryl Hall and John Oates, Rufus, Cannibal and the Headhunters , Joe South and The Believers, Blood Sweat and Tears, KC and the Sunshine Band, Booker T and the MGs, Tommy James and the Shondells, Exile, Chic, Sweet, Boston, Bread, America, Donovon, Commodores, Hot Chocolate, Paper Lace, Atlanta Rhythm Section, the Isley Brothers, the Edgar Winter Group, the DeFranco Family, the Brotherhood of Man, Blue Oyster Cult, Meat Loaf, Mott the Hoopie, WAR, Rhythm Heritage, Starland Vocal Band, Fleetwood Mac, Pacific Gas & Electric, Poco…..


Are you just "staying on topic"? :D

~Matt

[rwpope3]

Does anyone have any advice or tips to make it easier to drill stainless? Sharp bits & lots of oil, I know - but it still kicks my butt sometimes.

Believe it or not, use liquid dish soap (Palmolive, Dawn, etc.) as a lubricant instead of oil. We just finished drilling 80 holes, 1/8" pilot plus 1/2" final for a knock-out punch, with only 2 bits. The general belief is that the oil works to case-harden the stainless under the localized heat of drilling, but the soap doesn't seem to have the same affect. And as a bonus, the soap is easier to clean up than the oil. Give it a try.

[fnluk]

Use a cobalt drill bit and buy a can of a drilling and tapping oil called Rapid Tap it's availible at Home Depot

[ItsHot]

Also make sure you check the rotation on the drill motor!:D:D

[mdshunk]

Also make sure you check the rotation on the drill motor!:D:D
I have a set of left handed drill bits I got from Grainger. They work good for drilling out broken bolts and studs. The left handed action of drilling the hole will often wind the broken piece back out of the hole in the process.

[ItsHot]

I have a set of left handed drill bits I got from Grainger. They work good for drilling out broken bolts and studs. The left handed action of drilling the hole will often wind the broken piece back out of the hole in the process. You have all the cool tools!8-)

[mdshunk]

You have all the cool tools!8-)
I just checked on Grainger, and that set says it's over 200 bucks. I know I didn't pay near that. If I paid even 50 bucks, I'd be surprised. I darned sure didn't pay 200.

[billdozier]

Never forget first time I drilled out stainless steel. Boss sent me to control box to drill two 1/2 inch holes. I think no problem 5 minute job. Two hours later at lunch ask guys for advice feeling like true da. they give me two kobalt bits walk in and knock holes out in five minutes. what a difference the right tools make. lesson learned

[nolabama]

use a plasma torch:D

[cparrott1984]

Cutting Oil, Very Slow Drilling, and its always good to start out with a fresh bit.