Elmo Posted March 23, 2013 Share Posted March 23, 2013 I'm trying to drill a hole in my S/S tail paipe so I can fit a baffle. I'm using Bosch HSS Titanium drill bits, but after about an hour of drilling an 2 batteries (even on hammer setting) I've hardly made a dent! I know it was going to take a while to drill thought S/S, but not this long! Can anyone give me any advice?? Cheers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
listy Posted March 23, 2013 Share Posted March 23, 2013 Are you using a metal specific drill bit? Silly question, but have to ask these things Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elmo Posted March 23, 2013 Author Share Posted March 23, 2013 Yes, the Bosch HSS Titanium Drill bits are supposed to be suitable for S/S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Posted March 23, 2013 Share Posted March 23, 2013 Cobalt drill, slower drilling speed, lubrication. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kwalker705 Posted March 23, 2013 Share Posted March 23, 2013 lube, lube, lube. Always use lube when attempting to penetrate and having trouble. 1st rule in the bedroom and the garage !!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dnk Posted March 23, 2013 Share Posted March 23, 2013 (edited) Hammer setting What size hole are you trying to drill ? i would personally start with a HSS centre drill then drill the size hole you want, you must slow the speed down on ST/ST and try to use a coolant fluid or you'll just take the edge off the drill, you don't need titanium coated either. Normal HSS decent quality drills should be fine Edited March 23, 2013 by Dnk (see edit history) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
listy Posted March 23, 2013 Share Posted March 23, 2013 Have you tried using a smaller bit, then a larger one to make the hole the right size? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drift_bear Posted March 23, 2013 Share Posted March 23, 2013 lube, lube, lube. Always use lube when attempting to penetrate and having trouble. 1st rule in the bedroom and the garage !!!! - - - Updated - - - lube, lube, lube. Always use lube when attempting to penetrate and having trouble. 1st rule in the bedroom and the garage !!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elmo Posted March 23, 2013 Author Share Posted March 23, 2013 Hammer setting What size hole are you trying to drill ? i would personally start with a HSS centre drill then drill the size hole you want, you must slow the speed down on ST/ST and try to use a coolant fluid or you'll just take the edge off the drill, you don't need titanium coated either. Normal HSS decent quality drills should be fine The hole I need to get to is 5mm, but I've started with a 2.5mm bit, but I've only made a small indentation. I've tried various speeds (mainly at the higher end) and resorted to Hammer setting through frustration! I'll try again on a slower setting and see if that helps. Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hackin_n_bashin Posted March 23, 2013 Share Posted March 23, 2013 Slow speed, bags of pressure and loads of lube. If your handy with a grinder I always sharpen the edge up to around 90 degrees rather than the 135, just watch for it snatching though. If you can get hold of one, I personally rate Bosch drill bits as one of, if not the best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dnk Posted March 23, 2013 Share Posted March 23, 2013 (edited) Get yourself some of these, they come in different sizes you use these to centre your drill hole and it also acts as a pilot for your 5 mm drill or required size. 5 mm diameter shouldn't need another pilot drill after you've used a centre drill Edited March 23, 2013 by Dnk (see edit history) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elmo Posted March 23, 2013 Author Share Posted March 23, 2013 Slow speed, bags of pressure and loads of lube. If your handy with a grinder I always sharpen the edge up to around 90 degrees rather than the 135, just watch for it snatching though. If you can get hold of one, I personally rate Bosch drill bits as one of, if not the best. I'm using Bosch HSS Titanium bits! I'm waiting for my battery to charge before I have nother go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dnk Posted March 23, 2013 Share Posted March 23, 2013 Dormer un coated HSS drills are more than up to the job Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dnk Posted March 23, 2013 Share Posted March 23, 2013 You could have work hardened the st/st now and you'll need a carbide bit to drill your hole, if you use these wear some eye protection as they are very brittle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elmo Posted March 23, 2013 Author Share Posted March 23, 2013 Doh! your probably right, any ideas if any of the major DIY stores stock carbide bits? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clay Posted March 23, 2013 Share Posted March 23, 2013 You mite get cobolt from b&Q or screwfix. You probably killed the drills you wear yousing. So don't bother with them any more. Or just get hss ones as Dnk said Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dnk Posted March 23, 2013 Share Posted March 23, 2013 My monies on the st/st has just got very hot and is now very hard, a HSS drill is going to struggle and just lose its edge so a solid carbide drill bit for the win but their not cheap and i doubt general diy sell them but you never know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hackin_n_bashin Posted March 23, 2013 Share Posted March 23, 2013 My monies on the st/st has just got very hot and is now very hard, a HSS drill is going to struggle and just lose its edge so a solid carbide drill bit for the win but their not cheap and i doubt general diy sell them but you never know He will have, I bet it's been glowing like a bar*ed. shape the drill to 90, slow speed, pressure and cutting snot. Job jobbed. Stop fannying around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pulley Posted March 23, 2013 Share Posted March 23, 2013 lol, just get some rocol or other cutting lube and a hss and im sure youll be fine with medium low speed its only stainless if you need a decent carbide 3 flute bit i can always post you one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elmo Posted March 23, 2013 Author Share Posted March 23, 2013 lol, just get some rocol or other cutting lube and a hss and im sure youll be fine with medium low speed its only stainless if you need a decent carbide 3 flute bit i can always post you one Cheers! Do you have a 5mm? Please let me know how much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomgeer Posted March 24, 2013 Share Posted March 24, 2013 Dormer un coated HSS drills are more than up to the job Correct We only use dormer drill bits in our workshop, we've trialled all sorts of different brands that claim to be the best, nothing has compared to dormer to be honest. Elmo, the stainless will have got hot from high speed drilling and hardened, it'll be a right b*stard to do now, slowly does it and for gods sake keep off the hammer setting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elmo Posted March 24, 2013 Author Share Posted March 24, 2013 I'm going to get a 2.5mm solid carbide bit of eBay, hopefully should get me started. I've only got a 14.4V cordelss drill like this, it's isn't that fast even on the highest setting and the batteries don't last that long. But I will lay of the hammer setting! Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elmo Posted March 27, 2013 Author Share Posted March 27, 2013 Finally got the job done! The 2.5mm solid carbide drill bit got me going, I then went through the sizes using the Bosch Titanium bits until I got to 6mm. From 4mm-6mm they went through like a hot knife through butter! Thanks to everyone for their advice, I now know how to drill through Stainless Steel Oh, I found that power steering fluid worked well as a good cutting lube! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashbuster Posted March 27, 2013 Share Posted March 27, 2013 you also now know how not to dril st/st Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elmo Posted March 27, 2013 Author Share Posted March 27, 2013 Very true, you live & learn! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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