Drilling large holes in metal in production. Drilling precise holes with a drill

Drilling metal is one of the most common metalworking operations. Separable and non-separable connections - rivets, screws, bolts, studs - require holes. To drill metal, it is enough to have a drill, a drill of the appropriate diameter and a center punch with a hammer to mark the hole.

Selection of drills

If holes in metal are drilled for threads, then according to GOST 24705-81, for the most commonly used thread sizes (for standard large steps): M4, M5, M6, M8, M10 and M12 - the diameter of the drills will be equal to 3.3, respectively; 4.2; 5; 6.7; 8.4; 10.2 mm. It is quite acceptable if drilling for threads is carried out with a drill whose diameter differs slightly (by 0.1 mm) from the GOST dimensions in one direction or another.

When purchasing drills, you need to keep in mind that conventional drills made of high-speed tool steel (for example, P6M5) are designed for drilling metals that do not have high hardness. To drill through metal of increased hardness, you will need carbide drills. Such drills can be made entirely of carbide or have only a carbide tip.

Sometimes before starting drilling it is not known what hardness of the metal is to be drilled. Therefore, if you see at the first moment of drilling that the drill does not penetrate the metal, you must immediately stop drilling, otherwise the drill will be irretrievably damaged by overheating and losing hardness. Evidence of this will be the appearance of a dark blue color on it. Before drilling into metal whose hardness is unknown, you can run a file through it. If the latter does not leave marks on the metal, then the material has increased hardness.

How to drill metal

Low and medium speeds are optimal for drilling most metals - 500-1000 rpm. High speeds quickly heat up the drill, which can result in annealing and softening. When drilling, do not press too hard on the drill; the feed should be slow and smooth.

When drilling metal, the sharpness of the drill is very important, and the drill becomes dull very quickly. The rate of dulling of the drill depends, in particular, on the speed, feed force, cooling and other factors, but no matter how hard you try, if it doesn’t drill Aluminium alloy, the time it takes a drill to operate unsatisfactorily is measured in minutes.

Before drilling, you need to mark the hole by tapping it. To do this, you need to place the tip of the center punch (or dowel) in the expected center of the hole and hit it with a hammer. Punching is necessary to prevent the drill from slipping at the first moment of drilling. If the core mark is not large enough to hold the drill large diameter, then you should first widen the recess with a small diameter drill.

For creating better conditions When drilling, it is advisable to dip the tip of the drill in machine oil or drop it into the core site. Oil in the drilling area helps to better cool the drill and makes cutting metal easier. A drill used for drilling using oil becomes less dull, requires less sharpening and lasts longer. A special emulsion, soapy water, and kerosene are also used as a coolant. According to some craftsmen, lard is a good lubricant and cooling agent. Before drilling, a rotating drill is immersed in a piece of lard, which melts during drilling and has a lubricating and cooling effect. But still the simplest and most convenient remedy is soapy water. It doesn't get dirty, and every home has soap. It is enough to drop it once at the beginning of drilling and during the process. You can periodically dip the drill in a soapy solution.

When through drilling with a large feed, a burr (burr) is formed at the exit of the hole, to which the drill clings with its side cutters. As a result, a sharp blocking of the drill and its fracture or chipping of the incisor can occur, and even at this moment the drill dulls especially intensely. Such stops also have a negative impact on the condition of the drill. To avoid burr formation, you need to finish drilling holes in the metal with low feed. It is also advisable to place a wooden block, which prevents the formation of a burr. The block and the workpiece must be pressed tightly against each other. For greater effect, you can place not a wooden block, but a plate of the same or less hard metal, which should be pressed tightly to the point where the drill exits.

Most often it is necessary to drill steel, but often it is necessary to drill other metals that have their own drilling characteristics. Aluminum, for example, envelops the drill, making it difficult for it to penetrate deeper and widening the resulting hole. If you need to drill a precise hole in aluminum (for example, for a thread), you must use coolant and remove the drill from the hole more often to clean it. Regular gray cast iron drills relatively easily and does not require coolant or lubricant. But drilling in cast iron can bring surprises. There are high-strength gray cast irons that must be drilled with a drill made of carbide material. White cast iron, whose main structural constituent is cementite, is very hard and requires a high-strength drill.

Large diameter holes should be drilled in stages. First you need to drill the part with a thin drill, then drill the hole to a larger diameter. For example, it is better to drill a hole with a diameter of 12 mm in two or three steps - sequentially with drills of 5, 10 and 12 mm.

Dull drills need to be sharpened promptly. It is better to do this with a sharpening device, but you can do without it. In this case, you need to pay attention to the symmetry of the drill tip. If the sharpened edges do not meet exactly in the center, the hole drilled with such a drill will have a larger diameter, since one cutting edge will be longer than the other. The standard point angle (angle between cutting edges) is 118°. For drilling aluminum, the optimal angle is 130-140°, soft bronze and red copper 125-130°. However, all these metals can be drilled with a standard angle drill. Read more about drill sharpening.

When drilling, you need to maintain the verticality of the drill relative to the metal surface (if you do not need to drill inclined hole). When making holes in thin sheets this requirement is not as relevant as for thick-walled or hollow parts. Drilling pipes, for example, often leads to the fact that the inlet and outlet holes are displaced relative to each other - the larger the diameter of the pipe, the more so. It is quite difficult to maintain the perpendicularity of the drill by eye, so you can use homemade or purchased drilling jigs or guides that ensure the perpendicularity of the drill.

Conductors are also needed for drilling two or more holes in mating parts. The best way ensuring the holes match is by drilling them together. When drilling holes for rivets, drilling the assembly is a must. Once you've drilled the first hole, you can use it to bolt the pieces together so you can drill the remaining holes without worrying about the pieces moving relative to each other. If drilling the mating parts in the assembly is impossible or inconvenient, then a jig or guide must be used. You should know that no matter how accurately the mating holes are marked and cored, they will still not coincide absolutely exactly, since when drilling even a cored hole, the drill will move slightly to the side.

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Good mood to everyone! Today we’ll look at the issue of drilling precise holes in solid metal with a drill. The topic may seem quite simple, but still, there are certain secrets of skill, having mastered which you will drill holes with particular ease.

Drilling holes in metal using a drill and special tools.

At home, it is often necessary to drill holes in metal to install fasteners and other mechanical parts. Although using a conventional hand-held electric drill in some cases it is possible to drill holes quite accurately, however, to obtain High Quality work should be used vertically drilling machine. To change the rotation speed of the machine, you need to move the drive belt from one pulley to another.

Drill selection.

Regardless of the drilling device used, the size and shape drilled hole determined by the drill used. A cylindrical hole (sometimes not entirely correct geometrically) is usually drilled with a twist drill. This drill is a pointed metal cylinder with a spiral channel running along the axis of the drill. In soft metals such as aluminum and copper, these drills often produce holes with jagged edges. To drill into such metals, you can use a drill bit for sheet material, which is made in the form of a cone and has one cutting edge on the side.

Holes in metal should always be drilled using high-speed drills. Made from the hardest steels, these drill bits range in diameter from 0.5mm to 25mm or more.

Marking of drills and design features.

One of the options drill markings(according to the sizes) is to indicate their diameter in millimeters. For drilling recesses big size can be installed instead of a drill hole saw- a cylinder with teeth that can cut holes up to 150 mm in size and up to two-thirds the height of the saw itself. You can also use a special drill, which differs from the usual one by the presence of an elongated L-shaped cutting edge. Special drills are available for drilling conical or cylindrical recesses for the heads of fasteners, such as bolts, rivets or screws.

To give the drilled hole precise geometric dimensions, provided that the diameter of this hole does not exceed 35 mm, it is necessary to process it with a reamer. This processing is done manually or on a machine. Hand reamers are straight drills with four or more cutting edges that gradually machine the inside of the hole as they rotate. Machine reamers are installed in vertical drilling machines.

Precise drilling of metal on a machine.

When drilling precise holes, you should always use a special cutting fluid that reduces friction and cools the drill during operation. In addition, it is necessary to use clamps and a vice for precise, stationary installation of the workpiece. When marking the drilling site, you should use a center punch, with which a small depression is made at the drilling site.

When drilling on a machine, to determine the position of the hole, you need to draw two short lines, intersecting at right angles in the center of the hole. To prevent the drill from slipping, it is necessary to make a small depression in the found center using a center punch and a hammer.

Determination of tool rotation parameters.

Determine the required rotation speed and set the machine to rotate at this speed. To set the rotation speed, you need to open the casing cover and loosen the belt tension by unscrewing the handle that secures the motor in the casing. To change the speed, the engine moves forward and the belt is moved from one level of pulleys to another in accordance with the necessary change in speeds, which are determined from the nameplate or operating instructions. The lowest speed is achieved when the belt is placed in its lowest position - between the smallest motor pulley and the largest spindle pulley. On the contrary, the highest speed is achieved when the belt is installed in the uppermost pulleys. Next, you need to make sure that the belt is tensioned horizontally between the pulleys, move the engine to its original position and tighten the knob securing the engine to the casing.

Setting up tools and fixtures.

Before drilling begins, the drill is installed in the chuck and tightened. Don't forget to adjust the vertical movement of the spindle by lowering the drill along the workpiece and moving the stopper to the desired point on the graduated stopper movement scale. The spindle rises to a height sufficient to install the workpiece under the drill and is fixed in this position. The workpiece is moved so that the intended hole is exactly under the drill. The workpiece is clamped securely before drilling begins.

Subsequently, it is necessary to lower the spindle sleeve lock and turn on the drilling machine. Squeeze a drop of coolant and lubricant onto the recess, lower the drill with the lever and start drilling. Even pressure should be applied during operation. A brush is used to remove shavings and sawdust. The appearance of smoke from the drilled hole indicates the need to check the color of the metal shavings. They should be white or straw yellow. Blue color means overheating. In this case, you need to add cutting fluid or reduce the rotation speed. After finishing drilling, you must slowly release the feed handle and turn off the machine.

Drilling precise holes in metal with a hand drill.

If there is no need to maintain the accuracy that a vertical drilling machine provides, you can use a powerful hand-held electric drill. However, if this drill is not multi-speed, then when drilling holes in metal, it should be turned on for short periods of time by briefly pressing the switch in succession.

The key to success in most cases depends on how you hold the drill. Before drilling begins, the workpiece is clamped in a vice or pressed firmly to the table. Then, without turning on the drill, the end of the drill is installed on the point marked with the center punch. To increase the starting point, you can manually rotate the drill chuck several times while pressing on the drill bit. After applying the cutting fluid, the voltage will turn on. The drill body is held motionless by the left hand, right hand the tool itself is pressed when the drill starts to increase speed. If possible, place a vertical square next to the drill to make it easier to install the drill in a vertical position. This will make it easier to drill precise holes.

If the drill cannot go deep into the surface of the metal workpiece, use a center punch to make a second, larger hole in the the right point.

Safety precautions when working with a hand drill.

When working with drills, one should not neglect the rules. To prevent the risk of accidents when drilling metal products, the following instructions must be strictly adhered to:

• It is prohibited to drill a product that is held only by hands;
• It is forbidden to work with dissolute long hair or wearing loose clothing that is not fastened, as well as wearing gloves, since there is a danger of the glove material being caught by the drill;
• Safety glasses should not be neglected;
• Before turning on the machine, make sure that the drill in the chuck is tightened tightly and the key is removed.

Perhaps we'll end here. Drilling precise holes in metal is useful not only in household use but also when performing production tasks.

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Drilling through holes produced in metal blanks various instruments using special techniques. Many specialists, when performing engineering work, have to drill holes in metal structures often. These objects have high elasticity, which forces the use of special cutting devices when drilling.

Types of drills and devices for drilling in metal

The necessary equipment for drilling metal products are electric and hand drills, as well as drilling machines. The working part of such devices is a drill of different shapes:

• spiral;
• screw;
• crown-shaped;
• conical;
• flat;
• cannon;
• rifle;
• centering;
• stepped.

Each drill is individually marked, where the tip indicates the cross-sectional diameter and the type of alloy from which it is made. To drill a hole of the required diameter, you need a drill a few tenths of a millimeter narrower.

Drills are also classified by length:

• short;
• elongated;
• long.

Drilling in some materials may require a specially sharpened diamond-tipped drill bit. Twist drills may not be able to handle products made from thin sheet alloys. In some cases, to drill deep holes, the product must be fixed in a vice, stops, jigs, or corners with fasteners. This is done for safety reasons and to obtain high quality holes.

Modes for drilling holes in metal products

For drilling through holes in metal products Preliminary preparation for the process is extremely important. The drill must be correctly secured and guided in the tool. You need to adjust the rotation speed and other parameters. For products that are too strong, a low drill speed is recommended. An indicator of correct drilling should be uniform, long chips.

Types of holes and methods for drilling them

Some industrial work often requires following types holes in metal workpieces:

1. Through. They completely pierce metal workpieces. It is important to protect the surface of the machine from accidental exit of the drill beyond the product to avoid damage to the drill and the occurrence of burrs on the blank. Workbenches with holes are ideal for these types of work, where it is possible to place them under the workpiece. wooden spacer. Holes in thin blanks are drilled with flat drills, because a twist drill can noticeably destroy the edges of the product.
2. Deaf. They are carried out to the required depth without penetrating the product right through. IN in this case An important point is measuring the depth, which can be conveniently done by limiting the length of the drill with the stop of the sleeve or the drill chuck with a locking stop. Professional machines are equipped automatic systems feed to the specified penetration size, which allows you to fix the depth of the drill.
3. Deep. This type of hole includes those drills whose length is five times the diameter. When drilling deep holes, it is necessary to periodically remove the resulting chips using additional lubricants. Often it is necessary to enforce measures to cool the drill and the workpiece itself, the temperature of which rapidly rises to too high levels as a result of friction. This applies to workpieces made of high-strength alloys. For deep holes, twist drills are used.
4. Wide diameter. Drilling large diameter holes in products of large proportions is a very responsible and labor-intensive process. For such holes, conical, crown-shaped or stepped drills are used. Specialists carry out drilling at low tool speeds, trying to ensure the safety of the edges of the workpiece.
5. Complex shape. Sometimes it is necessary to drill through or blind holes in workpieces of different densities under internal thread. The technology has to be divided into two actions: preliminary preparation platforms and the drilling itself.
6. Half-hearted. Half blanks are drilled, filling the cavities with wood. Stepped holes can be obtained using one of two techniques: reaming (passing a drill of a smaller diameter to the entire depth of the workpiece, followed by drilling with drills of a larger diameter) and reducing the diameter (drilling a hole of a larger diameter to the required depth, followed by replacing a drill with a smaller diameter). As a result, the hole is clearly centered.

Safety when drilling holes in metal workpieces

When drilling holes in metal workpieces, you should be very careful to avoid rapid destruction of the drill. Following simple rules when drilling will ensure safety and guarantee a high-quality product upon completion of the work:

1. On the eve of drilling, you must carefully check the fixation of all fastening devices on the machine.
2. You can start work in special clothing to prevent any elements from getting under the moving parts of the machine. Protect your eyes from metal shavings with special glasses.
3. When the drill tip enters a metal workpiece, it should already be rotating at low speeds to avoid dulling.
4. The drill should be pulled out of the drilled hole gradually, reducing the speed, but not stopping completely.
5. When the drill tip does not penetrate into the workpiece, you will have to check the strength of the metal. When running a file over the surface, it is possible to determine the degree of strength. If there is no roughness left on the alloy, you need to choose a drill with a diamond tip or from a harder material, and drill at low speeds.
6. Drills of small diameter, which are difficult to fix in the chuck, are recommended to be wrapped around the tail with brass wire to increase the diameter of the girth.
7. If you are working with a polished workpiece, you can put a felt washer on the base of the drill to avoid damage when it comes into contact with the drill chuck.
8. To fix metal workpieces made of polished or chrome-plated steel, fabric or leather spacers are used.
9. When drilling deep holes, a small piece of compressed foam placed on the drill will ensure that small metal shavings are blown away. Also, foam plastic will make it possible to deepen the drill to the required level when producing blind holes.

Power electric drills must be taken into account when drilling holes in metal workpieces of varying hardness. Manufacturers of power tools label devices indicating specifications on their body. For drills of different power, drills of the appropriate diameter are required.

You can entrust any tasks, including drilling, to the specialists of the Proflazermet company. We will determine it ourselves required diameter holes and select the appropriate tool, which we have big choice. In the end you will get perfect solution in short time.

To improve the basic characteristics of the metal, it is often hardened. This technology involves increasing the hardness of the product due to strong heating of the metal and its rapid cooling. In some cases, after heat treatment you have to do some drilling. By increasing this characteristic, drilling hardened metal becomes more difficult. Let's take a closer look at all the features of drilling hardened steel.

Drilling a hole in hardened steel

Spreading the question of how to drill hardened steel can be associated with the fact that when using conventional technology the tool quickly becomes dull and becomes unusable. That is why you need to pay attention to the features of drilling hardened alloy. Among the features of the technology, we note the following points:

1. It is necessary to properly prepare the hardened workpiece.
2. In some cases, a special tool is required.
3. Coolant is being used.

If necessary, you can make a drill for hardened steel with your own hands, which requires certain equipment and skills. However, in most cases, a purchased version is used, since it will cope better with the task when cutting hardened steel.

Nuances when drilling

The technology in question has a fairly large number of features that need to be taken into account. Drilling of hardened metal is carried out taking into account the following points:

1. Before carrying out work, pay attention to the hardness of the surface. This parameter is used to select the most suitable drill. Hardness can be determined using a variety of technologies.
2. During drilling, a large amount of heat is generated. This is why rapid wear of the cutting edge occurs. In this regard, in many cases, cooling liquid is supplied to the cutting zone.
3. When cutting difficult-to-cut material, it is necessary to sharpen the cutting edge from time to time. For this purpose the usual sharpening machine or a special tool. Only diamond-coated wheels are suitable as an abrasive.

There are the most various methods cutting hardened steel. Some of them significantly simplify the processing. Only by taking into account all the nuances can the quality of the resulting hole be improved.

Useful drilling techniques

For working with hardened steel, the most various technologies. The most common technologies are characterized by the following features:

1. Surface treatment with acid. This technology is characterized by long-term use, since it takes quite a lot of time to reduce the surface hardness. Sulfuric, perchloric or other acid can be used for etching. The procedure involves creating a lip that will contain the substance used in the cutting zone. After prolonged exposure, the metal becomes softer, it will be possible to drill when using the usual version execution.
2. Can be used welding machine to achieve the set goal. When exposed high temperature the metal becomes softer, which greatly simplifies the procedure.
3. Most often, a special drill is used. There are versions on sale that can be used for processing hardened steel. In their manufacture, metal with increased resistance to wear and high temperatures is used. However, the complexity of manufacturing and some other points determine that the cost of a special tool is quite high.

In addition, to achieve this goal, a punch is often purchased. It can be used to make a small hole, which will simplify further drilling.

Use of lubricants

When drilling through hardened steel, serious friction occurs. That is why it is recommended to purchase and use various lubricants. Among the features similar method processing, we note the following points:

1. First, the drilling area is processed. A small amount of lubricant is applied to the surface where the hole will be located.
2. Oil is added to the cutting edge. To process hardened steel, a small amount of the substance is required, but it must be added from time to time, since it scatters when the tool rotates.
3. During work, it is recommended to take breaks to cool the cutting surface and the surface being processed.

Special oil not only simplifies drilling, but also increases the service life of the tool used.

This is because oil can reduce the temperature of the cutting edge.

Drill selection

Twist drills, which are represented by a vertical rod with two grooves, have become quite widespread. Due to the specific arrangement of the grooves, a cutting edge is formed. Among the features of the choice, we note the following points:

1. The pobedite drill bit has become quite widespread. It can be used to work with various hardened alloys. However, a surface with too high hardness cannot be processed with such a tool.
2. The choice is also made based on diameter. It is worth considering that it is quite difficult to obtain a large diameter hole. The larger diameter option is much more expensive due to the application large quantity material during its manufacture.
3. Attention is also paid to the sharpening angle, the purpose of the product and the type of material used in manufacturing. For example, cobalt versions are characterized by more high stability to exposure to high temperatures.
4. It is recommended to pay attention exclusively to products famous manufacturers. This is due to the fact that Chinese options designs are manufactured using low-quality materials. However, such an offer is much cheaper and can be used for short-term or one-time work.
5. When choosing a drill, you can be guided by the markings. It can be used to determine which materials were used in production. The diameter of the hole that can be obtained when using the tool is also indicated.

In a specialized store you can find almost everything you need to carry out the work. However, enough high price products and some other points determine that some decide to make a drill themselves from scrap materials. Similar work can be done if you have the required tools.

Making a homemade drill

If necessary, a drill can be made from hardened steel. Among the main recommendations for conducting similar work note:

1. Rods are selected that are made from tungsten and cobalt alloys. People call this metal victorious. Compared to a conventional drill, this version is characterized by increased wear resistance.
2. To process the workpiece, you need to secure it in a small vice. Otherwise, the work will be quite difficult.
3. To sharpen such a surface, a diamond stone is required. The usual one will not withstand long-term work.
4. The end surface is sharpened in such a way as to obtain a surface resembling flat screwdriver. After that cutting edges sharpened to obtain a sharp tip.

In order to reduce the degree of surface machinability, oil is added. This ensures long-term processing due to reduced friction and lower temperature.

In conclusion, we note that processing of hardened steel should be carried out exclusively when using special tools. The work requires a drilling machine, since a manual one will not allow you to get the required hole.

Metal processing is one of the rather complex operations. Drilling may be required when performing renovations or own car, as well as manufacturing various designs on summer cottage. As with any other holes, we will need a hand drill, which can be supplemented with various additional devices. Although a drill is a very popular and in-demand tool, available in almost every home, it requires considerable experience in metal processing. In our article we will talk about metal drilling, drills and some of the features of this labor-intensive process.

Tools and drills - what we need for drilling

Drilling holes in metal is a special technology, which consists of removing a certain layer of material due to simultaneous rotational and forward motion drill. It is necessary to fix the drill in one position so that the drill does not move during operation. This is the main condition for the correct and safe performance of work. To ensure that the drill axis is in a fixed position, you can use one of the many devices, which will be discussed below.

We will need the following tools for working with metal:

• Hand or electric drill
• Twist drill
• Hammer
• Kerner
• Safety glasses and gloves

It will be impossible to achieve success in the planned event without the appropriate drill. The choice of this element is a very important point, because different drills are selected based on the properties of the metal, as well as the diameter of the future hole. Drill bits are usually made from high speed steel. The most common are products made from steel grade R6M5. In some cases, cobalt additives are used to increase the durability and wear resistance of the drill. In this case, the letter K appears in the product labeling. For very hard metals Drills equipped with a small solder on the tip are used, which ensures the required level of drilling of the material.

You should know that not all drills are capable of making exactly the holes that you need. Thus, the manufacturer usually indicates the relevant information in the instruction manual. For example, drilling a large diameter hole with a drill whose power is 700 W will not work. After all, this equipment is designed to create a hole maximum size 13 mm in diameter.

Accessories for drills - how to make your life easier

Drilling metal causes difficulties for many people, even experienced craftsmen. One reason is the physical complexity of the process itself. After all, it is necessary to hold a heavy drill at a right angle in a clearly fixed position for a long time. However, you can always use additional accessories designed to make the whole process easier.

In hardware stores you can purchase the following mechanisms for perpendicular drilling of holes in metal products:

1. 1. Drilling jigs
2. 2. Drill guides
3. 3. Drill stands

Conductors are extremely popular; it is with their help that specialists make holes in products. The mechanism itself is a kind of box, convenient to hold, in which guide bushings are located. Suitable for working with drills of various diameters. The bushings are made of very hard types of metal, much harder than the drill itself. Therefore, there is no need to worry that they will be damaged when working with a drill.

You just need to place the jig over the location of the future hole, previously marked with a center punch, and then turn on the drill. The drill will be firmly fixed by the bushings, so it will not move away from the given direction. The jig is considered especially useful when drilling cylindrical, for example, pipes, since the tip of the drill constantly slips off the round shape of the pipe.

You can also purchase guides for hand drill- This is a useful support mechanism where the drill is fixed by the neck to achieve immobility during operation. Sole held free hand, is installed on the workpiece itself. In this state of affairs, the tool moves exclusively vertically, without the slightest deviation or distortion.

Today, universal designs are produced, equipped with a corner holder. Thanks to this, you can drill holes with a drill even at an angle. True, in the case of metal, drilling at an angle using guides is very difficult, since lateral overloads almost immediately break the drill. Therefore, you need to take care when purchasing a product made of solid metal.

Another device that simplifies the hole making process is called a stationary stand. At its core, this equipment is a somewhat simplified drilling machine, albeit with less functionality, but also significantly lower cost. The drill moves along the rod using a lever. Clamps or a vice are used to secure the workpiece. In terms of drilling quality, this unit is an order of magnitude higher than its other competitors. However, its price is also higher compared to jigs or guides.

Deep holes - what makes them special

The process of drilling holes in metal products differs significantly depending on the thickness of the workpiece. Deep holes are much more difficult to make compared to regular ones. For such cases, specialists use lathes, and it is the workpiece that must rotate, and not the drill itself on the machine. An important point is the removal of waste and chips from the part, as well as cooling the drill.

Naturally, it is unlikely that you will be able to use a lathe at home. The only way out is to purchase drill guides, which were described above. Drill length is great importance, since the drill can only make holes two-thirds of its length. So you need to purchase long drill, but strong enough that it will not break under the influence of enormous overloads.

If there are no guides, you can try to drill without this equipment if you are confident in your abilities. However, it is strictly forbidden to change the drilling angle, as this can completely damage both the drill and the workpiece.

In no case should we forget about cooling and chip removal. The easiest way is to use soapy water, in which you should first dip the tip of the drill. Some experts recommend coating the drill vegetable oil or lard. This will significantly reduce the friction of the product on the metal and, as a result, will have a very positive effect on the cooling of the drill.

If we talk about extracting chips, then this must be done with regular frequency, periodically removing drilling waste. The easiest way is to turn the workpiece over so that the chips, under the influence of gravity, free the hole. If the product is very heavy, then improvised devices are used, including hooks or magnets. Otherwise, the chips can clog the grooves on the drill, which will subsequently lead to blocking of rotation, as well as to breakage of the drill.

Large diameter holes are the most difficult operation

Drill big hole metal is even more difficult than making a hole great depth. There are several approaches: either use a conical drill to make a large-diameter hole in the metal in several approaches, or use a special crown. The cost of cone drills is very high, while the efficiency is lower than that of a crown.

That is why experts say that it is more correct to drill metal using a crown. In the central part there is a drill, while at the edges there is a cutting surface with sharply sharpened teeth. Thanks to the drill, the crown is fixed in one position and does not move during operation. Drilling is carried out at low speeds of the drill, and everything must be done very carefully and carefully so as not to damage the crown.

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