Drilling a hole in mild steel - how hard should it be?

[MrFluffy]

Bend like toffee? sounds familiar, to be fair it did manage to do this instead of shattering. Thats the domain of special alloy ones.

And get used to sharpening drills freehand on a offhand (bench) grinder, I often pick up a bit and it is blunt as you describe, touch it the grinder until I can feel how sharp it is in the palm of my hand by twisting it and then use it sucessfully. Its easier on larger bits to start with. Even a crappy one can be retouched into working for a few holes.

 

[Gareth J]

Even the cheapest pillar drill you can find will make life so much easier. Also, it sounds counter intuitive but pilot at say 5 or 6mm unless your drill runs at warp speed only. Bigger bits are less likly to bend/snap and much easier to resharpen.... Unless you need a tiny hole.

 

[mike os]

Before you spend on dormer, presto etc (excellent but pricey ) try dewalt (extreme 2) bits, I have found them very good, and you can collect from your local screwfix

 

[cumbriasteve]

Apologies if I am stating the already known obvious:

If you are going by the ebay route try to buy from a seller that one of the members here has used before, fakes have always existed on that site but this year has seen a massive increase and brand name tooling is the latest category to suffer.

It used to be you were a bit safer if it was a UK based seller but the Chinese now have lot's of UK storage facilities that allow them to list and post from the UK.

 

[ajlelectronics]

I'm a fan of Cobalt bits.

The chocolate bits seem to be a French speciality. I bought a set from Carrefour a few years ago and as soon as they were used, the tip turned into a molten blob. The slightest pressure and they would go banana shape. I couldn't believe my eyes!

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Thanks all. So to summarise;

1. Decent drill bits (I'm going to start with the Prestos)
2. Rocol fluid
3. Decent drill, at high speed

And 4.........stop buying stuff at Ingliston.

 

[zx9]

Even the cheapest pillar drill you can find will make life so much easier.

I have said before, buying the £50 Lidl / Aldi pillar drill was a big step up from the handheld electric or battery drills. No where near as good as a 1950's to 80's light industry or ex- education floor standing pillar drill but cost peanuts, takes up little bench space and can be moved outside when it is in the way.

Also, it sounds counter intuitive but pilot at say 5 or 6mm unless your drill runs at warp speed only. Bigger bits are less likly to bend/snap and much easier to resharpen.... Unless you need a tiny hole.

^^^^^^^^^ WHS ^^^^^^^^^^^ And if you need true round holes get a cone or better still a step drill, use a twist bit first and finish off with the step drill you can make 20 / 25mm round holes in 2 to 3mm steel very easily. Again good ones are expensive but become a must have once you have used one.

 

[Dee J]

Lots of focus here on the drill quality.... but there is the question of the material you're drilling. You've said mild steel - that can cover a multitude of sins... and especially the re-rolled from scrap variety. This can often have a hard skin or hard spots which will take the edge off your drill in seconds.

 

[MattH]

Lots of focus here on the drill quality.... but there is the question of the material you're drilling. You've said mild steel - that can cover a multitude of sins... and especially the re-rolled from scrap variety. This can often have a hard skin or hard spots which will take the edge off your drill in seconds.

Indeed.

I've got some ABRO 500 at technically is mild steel but I can't put a dent in it with a hand drill.

 

[julianthegypsy]

I avoid using a hand drill unless I absolutely can't fit things under the pillar drill, even if it means winding the huge table up and down and general mucking about. It makes such a huge difference.

 

[Wallace]

Couldn't find a decent deal on singles on the prestos so have gone with dormers;

2 x each of 2mm, 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, 6mm, 7mm and 8mm delivered for £38. All from http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261820372442

You reminded me to order a couple! Just looked up what you bought from Ebay on RS Components: 10 x 2mm, 5 x 3mm, 5 x 4mm, 5 x 5mm, 5 x 6mm, 2 x 7mm & 2 x 8mm A002's would come to £48.47 delivered. Only drawback ordering from RS for home use being minimum order quantities for the smaller drills under 7mm is boxes of 5's & 10's.

Oh, and you go straight on the naughty step if you drill plasma dross with Dormer drills!

 

[slim_boy_fat]

^^ Liquorice drills!!

 

[Charlie390]

Lots of focus here on the drill quality.... but there is the question of the material you're drilling. You've said mild steel - that can cover a multitude of sins... and especially the re-rolled from scrap variety. This can often have a hard skin or hard spots which will take the edge off your drill in seconds.

Agreed, I tried to drill an old metal bedframe once with the intention of turning it into a welding trolley, the stuff was unbelievably hard. I gave up after ruining numerous drill bits.

 

[skotl]

Thanks again, folks.

I do have a pillar drill and agree that it's much easier to get a hole started and finished with that. This week's pain was drilling additional mounting holes into my welding trolley so I had to use a handheld drill. As for exactly what steel it is, good question... It's what I buy in sheet and box section from the local steel merchant, and is typically their cheapest stock

 

[TechnicAl]

Some of the best drills ever made were made here

http://www.thestar.co.uk/what-s-on/...rk-factory-blown-up-video-and-photos-1-857200

My youngest did his apprenticeship there so I have a set of their drills. They are brilliant.

 

[God mode restorations]

Two bob drill bits fella.they ain't worth a rub .dormer bits are awesome but expensive. .I have a set and the best ones I have had..or clarke titanium. They ain't the best but have had a set for a year and still good.plenty of cutting fluid and take ya time..

 

[ukracer]

You reminded me to order a couple! Just looked up what you bought from Ebay on RS Components: 10 x 2mm, 5 x 3mm, 5 x 4mm, 5 x 5mm, 5 x 6mm, 2 x 7mm & 2 x 8mm A002's would come to £48.47 delivered. Only drawback ordering from RS for home use being minimum order quantities for the smaller drills under 7mm is boxes of 5's & 10's.

Yes but an extra 10er for all those drills...the ones likely to break and hard to sharpen would be a no brainer had he of known...I must remember to check out RS

 

[skotl]

On the assumption that I get on ok with these new bits (and that they are genuine and the seller was decent enough) then I'm happy to purchase replacements in batches of 2 as and when needed. £3 to £6 per pair including P&P is an easy re-stock transaction.

 

[DanielW]

Buy one presto and compare it with the same size dormer.

I did this and found the presto far better at cutting,I just don't like the bits that are supposed to be tinned?

 

[Wallace]

Yes but an extra 10er for all those drills...the ones likely to break and hard to sharpen would be a no brainer had he of known...I must remember to check out RS

RS used to be my last resort unless I needed something immediately, some prices I've not been able to beat over the last couple of years. Buck and Hickman are good too and Farnell.

I keep looking at the Drill Doctors for sharpening smaller bits.