I’ve been drilling Stainless Steel lately. I’ve tried several oils to ease the pain of working with Stainless Steel. A couple of years ago I tried Tap Magic. This stuff really helps while drilling all kinds of steel. So, while I was thinking about it, I thought I’d give a shout out.
Wes
Carbide drill bits! But not for hand drilling. Drill press or vertical mill.
Hi Wes! when I have drilled stainless, of course use lube, but I also use a fairly low spindel speed, it kind of helps, and easy on the pressure. but, you know this !
Hi Joe,
Yes, learned that the hard way a long time ago. I was drilling the firewall for a fuel fitting while building the RV6A. The penetration wasn’t going well. I got impatient (mad) and cranked up the drill and pushed. The stainless was actually glowing red, and I ruined a perfectly good unibit. The back side of the hole had about a 1/4-inch ridge.
That’s when I learned about the relatively low “feed speed” of stainless. While using an electric hand drill I always turn the speed to 1 (low). I still mis-judge pressure sometimes. It’s important not to work harden the stainless. You have to keep it cutting.
Wes
I machined a lot of stainless and Inconel in college on manual lathe with coolant but even then every once it a while would accidently work harden it. The trick I found was to use a brand new drill bit with very light pressure to get through the work hardened area. Otherwise you just end up with another roasted drill bit.
Same with drilling the titanium legs slow and low. I used that tap magic stuff and will not use it again. It has chlorine which os corrosive!!
