How to drill metal correctly - learn how to make holes of various diameters. How to drill metal with a drill? How to drill a large hole in sheet metal

Metal processing is carried out not only in industrial conditions. When performing repair work on a car, manufacturing structures on personal plot or carrying out repairs to the home, it is necessary to drill holes in the metal. At home, a hand drill is most often used.

This versatile tool requires some solid work skills. You can purchase or make your own machine for drilling holes in metal, but this is not a cheap pleasure.

The technology of drilling holes in metal consists in removing a thin layer of material due to simultaneous translational and rotational motion.

The main condition for high-quality and safe (for the tool) processing is holding the chuck axis in a fixed position. With the help of the machine it is easy to maintain straightness, which cannot be said when working with a hand tool.

If you are not sure about the firmness of your hands (this is a normal situation for an ordinary person), mechanical assistants (jigs) are required for drilling at right angles.

Immediately make a reservation that additional conductors are required only when the thickness of the metal exceeds the diameter of the drill.

If you're making a hole in a thin steel plate, straightness doesn't matter.

There are several types of hand drill guides. Power tools are not well suited for metal work, especially when it comes to precision.

  1. Drilling guide. Made in the form of a body, easy to hold, inside of which there are guide bushings for drills of various diameters.

  2. The material of the sleeves is harder than the tool, so the holes do not wear out. By installing the jig exactly above the center of the intended hole, you don’t have to worry that the drill will “take away” from the given direction.

    This device is especially useful when drilling perpendicular holes in pipes of small diameter, when the tip tends to slip off the cylindrical surface.

  3. Drill guide (manual). Support device in which the tool is fixed by the neck

  4. The sole is placed on the workpiece, holding the handle with the second hand. The drill moves strictly vertically, avoiding distortions and drifts of the drill.

    The design can have an angle holder for pipes of small diameter, which makes the fixture more versatile.

    With a swivel mechanism, you also get a device for drilling holes at an angle.


    True, the metal cannot be drilled in this way, lateral loads will quickly break the drill.

  5. Drill stand (semi-stationary). In fact, it is an inexpensive alternative to a drilling machine.

The work of drilling holes in metal, depending on the type of holes and the properties of the metal, can be performed with different tools and using different techniques. We want to tell you about drilling methods, tools, as well as safety precautions when performing these works.

Drilling holes in metal may be needed during repairs engineering systems, household appliances, car, creating structures from sheet and profile steel, designing crafts from aluminum and copper, in the manufacture of circuit boards for radio equipment, and in many other cases. It is important to understand what kind of tool is needed for each type of work so that the holes are the right diameter and in a strictly intended place, and what safety measures will help to avoid injury.

Tools, fixtures, drills

The main tools for drilling are manual and electric drills, and, if possible, drilling machines. The working body of these mechanisms - the drill - can have a different shape.

There are drills:

  • spiral (most common);
  • screw;
  • crowns;
  • conical;
  • feathers, etc.

The production of drills of various designs is standardized by numerous GOSTs. Drills up to Ø 2 mm are not marked, up to Ø 3 mm - the section and steel grade are indicated on the shank, larger diameters may contain additional information. To obtain a hole of a certain diameter, you need to take a drill a few tenths of a millimeter smaller. The better the drill is sharpened, the smaller the difference between these diameters.

Drills differ not only in diameter, but also in length - short, elongated and long are produced. Important information is the ultimate hardness of the metal being processed. The shank of the drills can be cylindrical and conical, which should be borne in mind when selecting a drill chuck or adapter sleeve.

1. Drill with a cylindrical shank. 2. Tapered shank drill. 3. Drill with a sword for carving. 4. Center drill. 5. Drill with two diameters. 6. Center drill. 7. Conical drill. 8. Conical multi-stage drill

For some work and materials, special sharpening is required. The harder the metal being processed, the sharper the edge must be sharpened. For thin sheet metal, a conventional twist drill may not be suitable, you will need a tool with a special sharpening. Detailed recommendations for various types drills and processed metals (thickness, hardness, hole type) are quite extensive, and in this article we will not consider them.

Various types of drill sharpening. 1. For hard steel. 2. For stainless steel. 3. For copper and copper alloys. 4. For aluminum and aluminum alloys. 5. For cast iron. 6. Bakelite

1. Standard sharpening. 2. Free sharpening. 3. Diluted sharpening. 4. Heavy sharpening. 5. Separate sharpening

To fix parts before drilling, a vice, stops, conductors, corners, clamps with bolts and other devices are used. This is not only a safety requirement, it is actually more convenient, and the holes are of better quality.

To chamfer and process the surface of the channel, they use a countersink of a cylindrical or conical shape, and to mark a point for drilling and so that the drill does not “jump off” - a hammer and a center punch.

Advice! The best drills are still considered to be those produced in the USSR - exact adherence to GOST in geometry and metal composition. German Ruko with titanium coating are also good, as well as drills from Bosch - proven quality. Good feedback about Haisser products - powerful, usually with a large diameter. The Zubr drills, especially the Cobalt series, proved to be worthy.

Drilling modes

It is very important to correctly fix and guide the drill, as well as select the cutting mode.

When making holes in metal by drilling, important factors are the number of revolutions of the drill and the feed force applied to the drill, directed along its axis, providing the penetration of the drill at one revolution (mm / rev). When working with different metals and drills, different cutting conditions are recommended, and the harder the metal being processed and the larger the diameter of the drill, the lower the recommended cutting speed. Indicator correct mode— beautiful, long shavings.

Use the tables to choose the right mode and not dull the drill prematurely.

Feed S 0 , mm/rev Drill diameter D, mm
2,5 4 6 8 10 12 146 20 25 32
Cutting speed v, m/min
When drilling steel
0,06 17 22 26 30 33 42
0,10 17 20 23 26 28 32 38 40 44
0,15 18 20 22 24 27 30 33 35
0,20 15 17 18 20 23 25 27 30
0,30 14 16 17 19 21 23 25
0,40 14 16 18 19 21
0,60 14 15 11
When drilling cast iron
0,06 18 22 25 27 29 30 32 33 34 35
0,10 18 20 22 23 24 26 27 28 30
0,15 15 17 18 19 20 22 23 25 26
0,20 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22
0,30 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 19
0,40 14 14 15 16 16 17
0,60 13 14 15 15
0,80 13
When drilling aluminum alloys
0,06 75
0,10 53 70 81 92 100
0,15 39 53 62 69 75 81 90
0,20 43 50 56 62 67 74 82 - -
0,30 42 48 52 56 62 68 75
0,40 40 45 48 53 59 64 69
0,60 37 39 44 48 52 56
0,80 38 42 46 54
1,00 42

Table 2. Correction factors

Table 3. Revolutions and feeds for various drill diameters and drilling in carbon steel

Types of holes in metal and methods for drilling them

Types of holes:

  • deaf;
  • through;
  • half (incomplete);
  • deep;
  • large diameter;
  • for internal thread.

Threaded holes require the determination of diameters with tolerances established in GOST 16093-2004. For common hardware, the calculation is given in table 5.

Table 5. The ratio of metric and inch threads, as well as the selection of the hole size for drilling

Metric thread Inch thread Pipe thread
Thread diameter Thread pitch, mm Thread hole diameter Thread diameter Thread pitch, mm Thread hole diameter Thread diameter Thread hole diameter
min. Max. min. Max.
M1 0,25 0,75 0,8 3/16 1,058 3,6 3,7 1/8 8,8
M1.4 0,3 1,1 1,15 1/4 1,270 5,0 5,1 1/4 11,7
M1.7 0,35 1,3 1,4 5/16 1,411 6,4 6,5 3/8 15,2
M2 0,4 1,5 1,6 3/8 1,588 7,7 7,9 1/2 18,6
M2.6 0,4 2,1 2,2 7/16 1,814 9,1 9,25 3/4 24,3
M3 0,5 2,4 2,5 1/2 2,117 10,25 10,5 1 30,5
M3.5 0,6 2,8 2,9 9/16 2,117 11,75 12,0
M4 0,7 3,2 3,4 5/8 2,309 13,25 13,5 11/4 39,2
M5 0,8 4,1 4,2 3/4 2,540 16,25 16,5 13/8 41,6
M6 1,0 4,8 5,0 7/8 2,822 19,00 19,25 11/2 45,1
M8 1,25 6,5 6,7 1 3,175 21,75 22,0
M10 1,5 8,2 8,4 11/8 3,629 24,5 24,75
M12 1,75 9,9 10,0 11/4 3,629 27,5 27,75
M14 2,0 11,5 11,75 13/8 4,233 30,5 30,5
M16 2,0 13,5 13,75
M18 2,5 15,0 15,25 11/2 4,333 33,0 33,5
M20 2,5 17,0 17,25 15/8 6,080 35,0 35,5
M22 2,6 19,0 19,25 13/4 5,080 33,5 39,0
M24 3,0 20,5 20,75 17/8 5,644 41,0 41,5

through holes

Through holes penetrate the workpiece completely, forming a passage in it. A feature of the process is the protection of the surface of the workbench or tabletop from the exit of the drill beyond the workpiece, which can damage the drill itself, as well as provide the workpiece with a “burr” - a hart. To avoid this, use the following methods:

  • use a workbench with a hole;
  • put a gasket made of wood or a “sandwich” under the part - wood + metal + wood;
  • put a metal bar under the part with a hole for the free passage of the drill;
  • reduce the feed rate at the last stage.

The latter method is mandatory when drilling holes "in place" so as not to damage closely spaced surfaces or parts.

Holes in thin sheet metal are cut with spatula drills, because the twist drill will damage the edges of the workpiece.

blind holes

Such holes are made to a certain depth and do not penetrate the workpiece through and through. There are two ways to measure depth:

  • limiting the length of the drill with a sleeve stop;
  • limiting the length of the drill with an adjustable stop chuck;
  • using a ruler fixed on the machine;
  • a combination of methods.

Some machines are equipped with an automatic feed to a given depth, after which the mechanism stops. During the drilling process, it may be necessary to stop the work several times to remove the chips.

Holes of complex shape

Holes located on the edge of the workpiece (half) can be made by connecting two workpieces or a workpiece and a gasket with faces and clamping with a vise and drilling a full hole. The gasket must be made of the same material as the workpiece being processed, otherwise the drill will “leave” in the direction of least resistance.

A through hole in the corner (shaped rolled metal) is performed by fixing the workpiece in a vice and using a wooden gasket.

It is more difficult to drill a cylindrical workpiece tangentially. The process is divided into two operations: preparation of a platform perpendicular to the hole (milling, countersinking) and drilling itself. Drilling holes in angled surfaces also begins with site preparation, after which a wooden spacer is inserted between the planes, forming a triangle, and a hole is drilled through the corner.

Hollow parts are drilled, filling the cavity with a cork made of wood.

Stepped holes are produced using two techniques:

  1. Reaming. The hole is drilled to the full depth with a drill of the smallest diameter, after which it is drilled to a given depth with drills with diameters from smaller to larger. The advantage of the method is a well-centered hole.
  2. Reducing the diameter. A hole of maximum diameter is drilled to a given depth, then the drills are changed with a successive decrease in diameter and a hole deepening. With this method, it is easier to control the depth of each step.

1. Drilling a hole. 2. Diameter reduction

Large diameter holes, annular drilling

Obtaining holes of large diameter in massive workpieces, up to 5-6 mm thick, is a laborious and costly business. Relatively small diameters - up to 30 mm (maximum 40 mm) can be obtained using cone, and preferably step-cone drills. For holes with a larger diameter (up to 100 mm), hollow bi-metal hole saws or hole saws with carbide teeth with a center drill will be required. Moreover, the craftsmen traditionally recommend Bosch in this case, especially on hard metal, such as steel.

Such annular drilling is less energy-intensive, but may be more financially costly. In addition to drills, the power of the drill and the ability to work at the lowest speeds are important. Moreover, the thicker the metal, the more you want to make a hole on the machine, and with a large number of holes in a sheet with a thickness of more than 12 mm, it is better to immediately look for such an opportunity.

In a thin-sheet blank, a large-diameter hole is obtained using narrow-toothed crowns or a milling cutter mounted on a grinder, but the edges in the latter case leave much to be desired.

Deep holes, coolant

Sometimes a deep hole is required. In theory, this is a hole whose length is five times the diameter. In practice, deep drilling is called, requiring forced periodic removal of chips and the use of coolants (cutting fluids).

In drilling, coolants are needed primarily to reduce the temperature of the drill and workpiece, which are heated by friction. Therefore, when making holes in copper, which has a high thermal conductivity and is itself capable of removing heat, coolant can be omitted. Cast iron is drilled relatively easily and without lubrication (except for high-strength ones).

In production, industrial oils, synthetic emulsions, emulsols and some hydrocarbons are used as coolants. In home workshops you can use:

  • technical vaseline, castor oil - for mild steels;
  • laundry soap - for aluminum alloys of the D16T type;
  • a mixture of kerosene with castor oil - for duralumin;
  • soapy water - for aluminum;
  • turpentine diluted with alcohol - for silumin.

The universal coolant can be prepared independently. To do this, you need to dissolve 200 g of soap in a bucket of water, add 5 tablespoons of machine oil, you can use it, and boil the solution until a soapy homogeneous emulsion is obtained. Some masters use lard to reduce friction.

Processed material Coolant
Steel:
carbonaceous Emulsion. Sulfurized oil
structural Sulfurized oil with kerosene
instrumental Blended oils
alloyed Blended oils
Ductile iron 3-5% emulsion
Cast iron Without cooling. 3-5% emulsion. Kerosene
Bronze Without cooling. Blended oils
Zinc Emulsion
Brass Without cooling. 3-5% emulsion
Copper Emulsion. Blended oils
Nickel Emulsion
Aluminum and its alloys Without cooling. Emulsion. Mixed oils. Kerosene
Stainless, high temperature alloys Mixture of 50% sulfurated oil, 30% kerosene, 20% oleic acid (or 80% sulfofresol and 20% oleic acid)
Fiber, vinyl plastic, plexiglass and so on 3-5% emulsion
Textolite, getinaks Compressed air blowing

Deep holes can be made by solid and annular drilling, and in the latter case, the central rod formed by the rotation of the crown is broken out not entirely, but in parts, weakening it with additional holes of small diameter.

Solid drilling is performed in a well-fixed workpiece with a twist drill, through the channels of which coolant is supplied. Periodically, without stopping the rotation of the drill, it is necessary to remove it and clean the cavity from chips. The work with a twist drill is carried out in stages: first, a short hole is taken and a hole is drilled, which is then deepened with a drill of the appropriate size. With a significant depth of the hole, it is advisable to use guide bushings.

With regular drilling deep holes we can recommend the purchase of a special machine with automatic coolant supply to the drill and precise centering.

Drilling by marking, template and jig

You can drill holes according to the markings made or without it - using a template or a jig.

Marking is done with a punch. A hammer blow marks a place for the tip of the drill. A felt-tip pen can also mark a place, but a hole is also needed so that the tip does not move from the intended point. The work is carried out in two stages: preliminary drilling, hole control, final drilling. If the drill "left" from the intended center, notches (grooves) are made with a narrow chisel that guide the tip to a given place.

To determine the center of a cylindrical workpiece, a square piece of tin is used, bent at 90 ° so that the height of one shoulder is approximately one radius. Applying a corner from different sides of the workpiece, draw a pencil along the edge. As a result, you have an area around the center. You can find the center by the theorem - the intersection of perpendiculars from two chords.

A template is needed when making a series of parts of the same type with several holes. It is convenient to use it for a pack of thin-sheet blanks connected with a clamp. This way you can get several drilled blanks at the same time. Instead of a template, a drawing or diagram is sometimes used, for example, in the manufacture of parts for radio equipment.

The conductor is used when the accuracy of maintaining the distances between the holes and the strict perpendicularity of the channel are very important. When drilling deep holes or when working with thin-walled tubes, in addition to the conductor, guides can be used to fix the position of the drill relative to the metal surface.

When working with a power tool, it is important to remember human safety and prevent premature wear of the tool and possible marriage. In this regard, we have collected some useful tips:

  1. Before work, you need to check the fastening of all elements.
  2. Clothing when working on a machine or with an electric drill should not be with elements that can fall under the action of rotating parts. Protect your eyes from chips with goggles.
  3. The drill, when approaching the surface of the metal, must already rotate, otherwise it will quickly become dull.
  4. It is necessary to remove the drill from the hole without turning off the drill, reducing the speed if possible.
  5. If the drill does not go deep into the metal, then its hardness is lower than that of the workpiece. Increased hardness in steel can be detected by running a file over the sample - the absence of traces indicates increased hardness. In this case, the drill must be selected from a carbide with additives and work at low speeds with a small feed.
  6. If a small diameter drill does not fit well in the chuck, wind a few turns of brass wire around its shank, increasing the gripping diameter.
  7. If the surface of the workpiece is polished, put a felt washer on the drill to ensure that it does not scratch even when it comes into contact with the drill chuck. When fastening workpieces made of polished or chrome-plated steel, use spacers made of fabric or leather.
  8. When making deep holes, a rectangular piece of foam placed on a drill can serve as a measuring instrument and at the same time blow off small chips while rotating.

All photos from the article

If you need to make a large diameter hole in a tree, then you will have to use special tools, each of which has its own characteristics. We will consider everything possible options and tell you about their main advantages and disadvantages so that you can choose best option in accordance with the specifics of the work in a given situation.

Criteria for choosing a quality option

Below we will consider the main types of fixtures, but for now we will indicate the criteria that any option must meet, regardless of its modification:

Reliable manufacturing material Of course, it is unlikely that this criterion will be determined by eye, so it is best to ask the seller for a quality certificate for the product. Unreliable counterfeit variants from China most often do not have any documents.
Quality performance Carefully examine the product: the surface must be smooth without flaws and defects, the cutting part must be carefully sharpened. If you purchase a drill for a long wood, check whether it is even, this can be done by eye or by rolling it on a flat surface - any violations are immediately visible on it.
good packaging Low-quality fakes are most often packed somehow, moreover, there are errors in the words. No well-known brand will allow itself a nondescript packaging, remember this.
Price Price is also an indicator of quality, usually the most budget options short-lived, especially when it comes to drills and large-sized fixtures. After all, they are subjected to very high loads in the process.

Advice! In order to be guaranteed to purchase a quality product, whether it be, you need to contact the official representatives of a particular brand or buy products in well-known stores that care about their reputation and do not sell cheap fakes.

Metal drilling tools:

  • twist drill;
  • Kerner;
  • A hammer;
  • Protective glasses.

To reduce breakdown, drilling is performed in two stages: first with a smaller diameter drill, and then with the main one. The same method of sequential reaming is used when it is necessary to make a hole of a large diameter.

After marking the workpiece, the center of the future hole should be punched. This will prevent the drill from moving away from the set point.

For the convenience of work, the workpiece should be clamped in a bench vise or placed on a stand so that it takes a stable position. The drill is set strictly perpendicular to the surface to be drilled. This is important to avoid damage.

Cutting mode selection

Drilling metal with a drill is somewhat more difficult than wood, brick or concrete. There are also some features.

For convenience, we have combined practical advice on this type of work into step-by-step instructions.

  1. You will need the following tools: a drill, a drill, coolant (oil is better, but water is also possible), a center punch, a hammer, goggles.
  2. When drilling metal on a horizontal surface, we put under the product wooden block and fix it as best we can. When working in a vertical position, rigid fixation is extremely important, since drilling must be strictly perpendicular.
  3. We make markings, after that, using a center punch and a hammer, we outline the center of the future hole.
  4. Pour coolant into a small container.
  5. We put on protective goggles.
  6. We start drilling. Do not exert strong pressure on the drill, because it is better to work at low speeds. If the drill is powerful, then the method of short-term inclusions is suitable, until the tool has had time to gain maximum speed.
  7. Do not forget to cool the drill as often as possible .
  8. When drilling is not strictly perpendicular, but at an angle, it is likely that the drill will jam. If this happens, put the switch in the reverse position. So you avoid injury and do not break the drill.
  9. If everything was done correctly, then even at home, using a low-power drill, you can drill a hole in metal up to 5 mm thick inclusive and up to 10-12 mm in diameter. More complex tasks will be discussed below.

Metal drilling work

Can you drill metal with a concrete drill?

It is possible, but this is in case of emergency for shallow holes with a small diameter. Unprofitable.

It is better to use either standard drills for metal with a steel grade R6M5 or improved - R6M5K5.

The letter K in the marking indicates that this is an alloy with the addition of cobalt. On the market you can find a drill, which is called "Cobalt". We will not vouch for all manufacturers, we only note that the reviews on practical application in the vast majority of cases are positive.

How to drill with a step drill for metal?

Step drills are universal - you can make holes with just one different diameter(from 2 to 40 mm). They are most effective when working with thin metal, when you need to get a neat edge. They are better fixed in the cartridge, they are easier to sharpen, and therefore, with proper operation, they last longer, but they are also more expensive than usual ones. They work with the same principles, but it is easier to drill large diameter holes than with conventional twist drills.

Is it possible to drill metal with a Pobedite drill?

The principle of operation of metal drills is to cut, and crush materials with victorious soldering. Brick, concrete, stone are better suited for this. Therefore, as mentioned above, it is, of course, possible to drill metal with a concrete drill, but it will quickly become unusable and the victorious soldering will collapse.

Turnovers

What is the larger hole diameter? the lower the turnover should be. The more depth? the gradually you need to reduce the pressure on the drill. With a drill diameter of up to 5 mm, the torque should not be higher than 1200-1500 rpm.

How to drill correctly: drilling with a drill from "a" to "z"

Accordingly, 10 mm in diameter - no more than 700 rpm, 15 mm - 400 rpm.

How to drill holes in large diameter metal?

As a rule, most drills for domestic use have a power of 500 to 800W, which allows drilling holes up to 10-12 mm in diameter. In metal up to 2 mm thick, using step drills, holes up to 40 mm can be made. With a thickness of 3 mm, bimetallic crowns are better suited.

Bimetal crown

When drilling deep holes with any tool, you may sometimes need a magnet to extract the chips.

metal drilling process

Particular attention should be paid to safety, be sure to take care of your eyes from chips, and if there is a skew and jamming, immediately turn off the drill and rearrange the torque to reverse.

In a power outage or where the noise of an operating tool may disturb others ( read: when can I do repairs so as not to quarrel with neighbors?) - ideal solution when drilling metal, there will be a manual mechanical drill, the so-called brace. Low speed and pressure, no overheating, just what you need. Of course, there are also disadvantages - the cost of time and fatigue. In such a simple "old-fashioned" way, you can drill holes with a diameter of up to 10 mm.

We hope our advice will be useful to you.

More information in this video.

How to drill metal with a drill

How to drill a hole in metal

Metal products, in comparison with parts made of other materials, have increased hardness and strength, therefore, for successful work with them, it is necessary to follow the technological process and use high-quality materials. cutting tool.

Metal drilling tools:

  • Electric or hand drill;
  • twist drill;
  • Kerner;
  • A hammer;
  • Protective glasses.

Drills for metal are selected based on the diameters of the holes and the properties of the material being processed. As a rule, they are made of high-speed steels, such as R6M5K5, R6M5, R4M2. Carbide drills are used to work with cast iron, carbon and alloy hardened steels, stainless steel, and other difficult-to-cut materials.

The power of the electric drill must be designed to drill a hole of the required diameter. Power tool manufacturers indicate the relevant specifications on the product. For example, for drills with a power of 500 ... 700 W, the maximum drilling diameter for metal is 10 ... 13 mm.

There are blind, incomplete, and through holes. They can be used to connect parts to each other by means of bolts, studs, pins and rivets. If the hole is drilled for the purpose of threading, it is worth paying attention to Special attention choice of drill diameter. Due to its beating in the cartridge, a breakdown of the hole occurs, which must be taken into account. Indicative data are presented in the table.

To reduce breakdown, drilling is performed in two stages: first with a smaller diameter drill, and then with the main one.

How to drill metal with a drill?

The same method of sequential reaming is used when it is necessary to make a hole of a large diameter.

How to drill metal with a drill

The peculiarity of drilling metal with a drill is that it is necessary to manually hold the tool, give it the correct position, and also ensure the required cutting speed.

After marking the workpiece, the center of the future hole should be punched. This will prevent the drill from moving away from the set point. For the convenience of work, the workpiece should be clamped in a bench vise or placed on a stand so that it takes a stable position. The drill is set strictly perpendicular to the surface to be drilled. This is important to avoid damage.

When drilling metal, the drill does not need to exert much pressure. On the contrary, it should decrease as you go. This will prevent breakage of the drill and also reduce burr formation on the trailing edge of the through hole. Chip removal should be monitored. If the cutting tool jams, it is released by reverse rotation.

Cutting mode selection

When using a tool made of high speed steel, you can refer to the speed according to the data in the table. When working with carbide drills, the allowable values ​​are 1.5 ... 2 times higher.

Drilling of metal products must be carried out with cooling. If it is not used, there is a high probability that the tool will lose its cutting properties due to overheating. The cleanliness of the surface of the hole in this case will be quite low. An emulsion is usually used as a coolant for hard steels. At home, machine oil is suitable. Cast iron and non-ferrous metals can be drilled without coolant.

Features of deep hole drilling

Holes are considered deep if their size is greater than five drill diameters. The peculiarity of the work here lies in the difficulties associated with cooling and chip removal. The length of the cutting part of the tool must be greater than the depth of the hole. Otherwise, the body of the part will block the helical grooves, through which chips are removed, and liquid is also supplied for cooling and lubrication.

First, the hole is drilled with a rigid short drill to a shallow depth. This operation is necessary to set the direction and centering of the main tool. After that, a hole of the required length is made. As you progress, you need to remove metal shavings from time to time. For this purpose, use coolant, hooks, magnets, or turn the part over.

How to drill metal correctly - learn how to make holes of various diameters

Screwdrivers, drills and hammers

Metal processing is one of the rather complex operations. Drilling may be required when performing repairs to the premises or your own car, as well as manufacturing various designs on the suburban area. As in the case of any other holes, we need a hand drill, which can be supplemented with various additional devices. Although the drill is a very popular and sought-after tool that is available in almost every home, it is required to have considerable experience in terms of metal processing. In our article we will talk about drilling metal, drills and some features of this laborious process.

Drilling holes in metal is a special technology, which consists in removing a certain layer of material due to the simultaneous rotational and translational movement of the 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. In order for the drill axis to be in a fixed position, you can use one of the many devices, which will be discussed below.

When working with metal, drills made of R6M5 steel are used.

We need the following tools for working with metal:

  • Drill hand or electric
  • twist drill
  • A 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 various drills are selected based on the properties of the metal, as well as the diameter of the future hole. Drills are usually made from high speed steel. The most common are products made of 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 provides the necessary level of drilling of the material.

You should be aware that not all drills are able to make exactly the holes that you need. So, the manufacturer usually indicate the relevant information in the instruction manual. For example, drilling a large hole with a drill with a power of 700 W will not work. After all, this equipment is designed to create a hole with a maximum size of 13 mm in diameter.

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 keep a heavy drill at a right angle in a clearly fixed position for a long time. However, you can always use additional devices designed to facilitate the whole process.

Drilling guides allow you to securely fix the drill bit

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 very popular, it is with their help that specialists make holes in products. The mechanism itself is a kind of box, easy to hold, in which the guide bushings are located. Suitable for working with drills of various diameters. The bushings are made of very hard grades of metal, much harder than the drill itself. Therefore, do not worry that when working with a drill, they will be damaged.

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

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

To date, universal designs are produced, equipped with an angular holder. Thanks to this, you can drill holes with a drill even at an angle. True, in the case of metal, it is very difficult to drill at an angle using guides, since lateral overloads break the drill almost immediately. Therefore, it is necessary to take care of the purchase of solid metal products.

Another device that simplifies the process of making holes is called a stationary stand. At its core, this equipment is a somewhat simplified drilling machine, however, with less functionality, but also significantly lower cost. The drill moves along the rod with a lever. Clamps or vise are used to fix 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 conductors or guides.

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 conventional ones. For such cases, specialists use lathes, and it is the workpiece that should 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 the cooling of the drill.

When drilling deep holes, timely chip evacuation is important

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

In the absence of 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, since this can completely ruin both the drill and the workpiece.

In no case should one 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 against the metal and, as a result, will have the most positive effect on the cooling of the drill.

If we talk about the extraction of chips, then this must be done with a regular frequency, periodically extracting waste from drilling. The easiest way is to turn the workpiece over so that the chips, under the action 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 breakage of the drill.

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

That is why experts say that it is more correct to drill metal with the help of a crown. A drill is located in the central part, 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.

How to drill metal with a drill

Hello! About how to drill metal with a drill, if you wish, you can write a very long article. But I see two main problems here:

  • inability to precisely drill in the place where a hole is required
  • quick blunting of drills

Usually inexperienced users face such problems. Experienced men know what to do in such cases. Well, considering myself experienced, I will take the liberty of telling you how to deal with these problems. Well, I will also give a few tips that will also come in handy.

How to drill in the right place

If you think a little about this question, then the answer should visit your head even without a hint. Well, it seems so to me at least. But if you don't feel like thinking, then read on.

For this case, you need a core. This is a tool made of durable steel, having a cylindrical shape and a point at the end.

We put the tip to the desired drilling site and hit the roll on the other side with a hammer several times.

Now, when you are centered, put a drill on the surface of the roughness and start drilling - the tip will not run away anywhere.

How not to dull drills

Drill bits for metal become blunt if they get too hot during operation, due to which they lose their strength. Heating is due to friction. Moreover, the faster it spins, the more it heats up.

Hence the obvious rule - you need to drill at a low speed drill. They should be no more than 1000 per minute. But who will measure this at work? Therefore, just do not press the start button to the full. The correct speed can be estimated as follows: the eye should see the rotation of the drill. That is, the grooves on it should not merge into one for vision.

When working with thick workpieces, additional cooling is indispensable. It is provided by special lubricants or pastes that are added to the drilling site, or the drill is dipped into them. In addition, they not only cool, but also lubricate the tip, thereby reducing friction.

At home, there is no need to have special lubricants and pastes. You can get by with regular engine oil.

So, use a core, drill at low speeds, and add grease or oil, and then this thing will seem like a cakewalk to you.

Well, a few more tips on this topic.

Drill types

For drilling, take only drills for metal (and not for wood, for example). They have their own sharpening and are made of certain types of steel. The most common are marked P6M5 - this is high-speed steel, which foreign manufacturers label as HSS.

To give additional strength to the above drills, a titanium nitride coating is applied. Because of what they are yellow.

There are also stronger P18s used for hard steels respectively.

Also, cobalt can be added to increase strength, and then the P6M5K5 marking is obtained.

Well, the most durable are drills with a carbide tip. They are used for drilling alloy steels. It will also take ordinary steel, but it will be somewhat prudent to buy it only for this, since the price for them is quite high, while it is solid, but still blunt. But it will be difficult to sharpen it later, since this requires diamond disc, which is also not very cheap, and you can’t buy it everywhere.

Drilling thick workpieces

If the workpiece has a thickness of more than 5 mm, and you need a hole of more than 8 mm, then it is better to first make a hole with a thin drill, and only then work with a thick one.

Working with some types of metal

  • When drilling thick aluminum workpieces, chips often clog the bores of the drill, making it harder to turn. Therefore, when working with such material, take the drill out of the recess more often and remove the chips. Oh, and don't forget to drizzle with plenty of oil.
  • If you need to drill black cast iron, then for this you do not need to add any lubricating and cooling agents, since it is very well drilled dry
  • Unlike black cast iron, white cast iron has increased strength, which means that strong drills and lubrication will be required for its processing.

These are the basic rules for drilling metal with a drill. I hope I managed to fill this gap in your knowledge. Good luck with your homework and see you soon!

How to drill metal with a drill?

Metal products have increased strength, so drilling a hole in metal requires the use of a cutting tool of excellent quality and compliance with the technological process.

When compared with parts made from other materials, metal products have increased strength and hardness, therefore effective work with them requires the use of cutting tools of excellent quality and compliance with the technological process.

Drilling in metal with a drill: highlights

To drill metal, you must have a manual or electric drill, a twist drill, a hammer, a center punch and goggles. Drills for metal are selected, focusing on the diameter of the holes, as well as the properties of the material being processed. They are usually made of high-speed steels, and carbide drills are used to work with alloyed and carbon steels, stainless steel, cast iron and other hard-to-cut materials.

Those who are not experienced in drilling holes in metal often wonder; how to drill a hole in metal with a drill? To drill holes of the required diameter, the electric drill must be powerful enough. Manufacturers of the tool on the product indicate the relevant characteristics. For example, in order for the hole diameter to be 10-13 millimeters, the power of the tool should be 500-700 watts.

There are through, deaf and incomplete holes.

They can be used to connect parts to each other by means of studs, bolts, rivets and pins. When drilling holes for threading, pay attention to the diameter of the drill. Since it beats in the cartridge, the hole is broken down, and this must be taken into account. The table contains approximate data.

To reduce the breakdown, drilling of metal is carried out in two stages: first of all, with a drill with a smaller diameter, and then with the main one. The same method is used when it is necessary to drill a large diameter hole.

Drilling metal with a drill: how to do it?

A feature of drilling holes in metal with a drill is that you need to manually hold the tool, giving it the correct position and providing the necessary speed.

When the workpiece is marked out, it is necessary to tilt the center of the drilled hole. As a result, the drill will not move relative to the set point. To make it more convenient to work, the workpiece must be clamped in a vice or placed on a stand so that its position is stable. The drill is set perpendicular to the surface, otherwise it may break. If you drill metal with a drill, then you do not need to exert a lot of pressure on the tool. On the contrary, as you move forward, the pressure should decrease. This will reduce the chance of breakage of the drill and reduce the amount of burr on the edge of the through hole. If the cutting tool is stuck, then it is released, giving it a reverse rotation.

When using a drill made of high speed steel, refer to the RPM using the data in the table. When using carbide drills, the values ​​should be about 1.6-2 times higher.

It is necessary to drill holes in metal products with cooling, otherwise the tool may lose its cutting properties due to overheating. The coolant when working with hard steels is usually an emulsion, but at home it is quite possible to use machine oil. As for non-ferrous metals and cast iron, when drilling them, you can do without coolant.

How to drill metal with a drill if you need deep holes? Holes can be considered deep if they are larger than five drill diameters. The main difficulties with such drilling are associated with cooling, as well as chip removal. As for the length of the cutting part of the drill, it must exceed the depth of the hole, otherwise the part will block the helical grooves designed to remove chips and supply fluid for lubrication and cooling. First, the hole is drilled to a shallow depth using a rigid short drill. This is necessary to set the direction and centering of the main tool. Then a hole of the desired length is made. When advancing, it is necessary to periodically remove metal chips using cooling liquid, magnets, hooks, or turn the part over.

Today, a person can make a blank of any shape and size from metal.

Metal drilling

This is a material that is widely used in various industries, it is indispensable in the production of mechanisms and various parts.

Today, craftsmen have dozens of tools at their disposal that allow them to cut, drill, change workpieces. Therefore, if you want to drill a hole in metal, you can do it with ease.

How to drill a large hole in metal

Making large holes is a painstaking task. For such work, it is necessary to use special crowns of the desired diameter or cone drills. Crowns designed for working with metal are similar to those for concrete or drywall.

They can have a special diamond coating for a clearer, more accurate and faster cut. For work, special cone drills are often used (they may have hexagonal or cylindrical shanks). The cutting edge can remove burrs and chips, which allows you to immediately get a smooth hole.

How to quickly drill through thick metal

If you need to drill a deep hole, it is best to give preference not to electric drills, but to lathes. Such a device provides accurate and accurate processing of materials of any thickness and strength. During operation, it is important to ensure high-quality cooling of the cutting element and forced removal of chips.

How to drill hardened metal

Hardened steel is a durable material that can withstand fairly heavy loads. That is why it is difficult to work with him. But if you need to drill hardened steel at home, you can use one of these methods:

    work with a welding machine - using such a tool, you can make a hole in the product, but after that it will have to be processed with cutting tools or files. Also, using welding machine, you can lower the steel in the impact zone, and then use a drill and make a hole of the required size;

    drilling with special drills for hardened steel - the method has one significant drawback. Such drills are very expensive, they are made of high carbon steel and have a diamond coating. When working, it is very important to prevent overheating of the drill and strong pressure - otherwise there is a high risk of spoiling the workpiece.

If you need to make a hole in hardened steel, but you don’t have a special device, you can use other methods:

    etching of steel with acid (boric, nitric, chlorine) - for work it is necessary to make a limiting rim and pour acid inside;

    if the material is not very hard and thin, you can make a hole using a special punch.

How to drill stainless steel

The main difference between "stainless steel" is its increased viscosity. This is both an advantage and a disadvantage. Indeed, when processing stainless metal, the drill heats up almost immediately, which means that it is necessary to think over its cooling during operation. Usually, a special mixture is immediately used, which includes engine oil, sulfur.

Both an electric drill and a drilling machine can be used to process stainless steel. In both the first and second cases, it is necessary to set the device to the minimum speed. A few tips for those who want to work with stainless steel:

    when working with a thick sheet of material, you must first drill a small hole thin instrument and then use a drill with the required section;

    if you are working with sheets of 1-2 mm, use standard drills, provided that their cutting edge is sharpened 120 degrees;

    if the thickness is less than 1 mm, processing should be carried out with step drills.

If you decide to drill metal with your own hands at home, use these simple tips.

Metalworking is carried out with a special cutting tool, with the help of machines and mechanisms. Drilling holes in metal is no easy task. This technological operation requires elementary knowledge about the material, machine tools and cutting technology. Sometimes it is difficult to choose a drill taking into account different degrees of metal hardness and choose cutting conditions.

Required Tools

Professional drills for metal(e.g. Bosch, Makita, Metabo or Hawera) are made exclusively from HSS. Some are covered with a protective layer, which increases their wear resistance when drilling.

Hand tools - a drill and drills should be chosen carefully. If there is no experience in this area, it is necessary to consult a store employee. Buying an expensive high-class drill does not always guarantee its long service life.

Compliance with the technology of obtaining holes in metal and a properly selected drill significantly increases its service life and protects against premature wear. Basic rules for operating a cutting tool:

  • Selection of a suitable type of gimlet for drilling metal of a certain hardness. Many manufacturers have developed entire programs by which you can choose the right tool.
  • Selection of cutting conditions, setting the correct rotation speed.
  • Properly selected feed, application of the appropriate pressure force on the cutting tool.
  • Cooling application. An oil-based emulsion is recommended.
  • Proper clamping of the material (e.g. in a vise).
  • Fixing the drill to the stand, precisely and perpendicularly.
  • The use of an extended set of gaskets when drilling through holes.

Technological process

Drilling is the process of removing small parts of the material being processed, chips, with the help of a drill. During drilling, the temperature of the workpiece rises. The cutting force leads to damage, the friction force causes a change in the geometry of the cutting edge, plus high temperature, as a result, the tool gradually dulls.

Most drills are made from high speed steel. with different content of cobalt. It is very important that it be sharpened correctly: the cutting edges are of equal length, the jumper between them is along the axis of the cutting tool.

This ensures that both edges will perform identical work during the drilling process. The drill will not have runout, the diameter of the hole will correspond to the size, the heating of the part and tool will be minimized.

Drill bits with chamfer correction have a smaller bridge, due to which the cutting edges are lengthened. Such drills can drill a hole without preliminary marking with a core.

The choice of drills depends on the type of work being done.. NWKa HSS Baildon drills are optimal for drilling:

  • structural steel;
  • cast iron;
  • brass;
  • bronze;
  • aluminum;
  • plastics;
  • tree.

Metal drilling

A feature of the drills is the presence of a sharp edge that allows you to perform mechanical processing of the material. They have an equal diameter along the entire length, and the blade is sharpened at an angle of 118 °. The sharpening angle varies depending on the hardness of the material, for example, for alloy steel, it is 135 °. Drills of this type are made of HSS steel with a 5% cobalt impurity. They require cooling during operation. special drilling oil.

In order to drill a nozzle in metal evenly and accurately, it is necessary to use a guide device - a jig.

When drilling, it is best to apply as little force as possible. When drilling a through hole, when the moment of exit of the cutting tool is approaching, it is necessary to reduce the feed so that the part is not pulled out, the drill is not broken, and burrs are not formed.

To obtain a conical hole in the metal, a conical drill is used. It is used as independent tool. They can drill a cylindrical hole, turning it into a conical one. A conical hole in the metal is made on lathe to drill, bore the resulting nozzle with a cutter.

Cutting conditions

The most common mistake is too high drilling speed. The harder the material is processed, the lower the drilling speed should be applied. For example, in the case of drilling an 8 mm hole in brass, the drilling speed should be 2500 rpm, for harder alloy steel - 800 rpm. The best sign of choosing the right drilling speed is a nice and long chip.

Depending on which tool to choose, cutting parameters are important. It is necessary to choose the right rotation speed and feed. The best parameters are provided by desktop drilling machines, but they can not be used everywhere. It is necessary to follow the principle that the lower the speed and the lower the feed, the longer the tool will last.

For example, take stainless steel, hole 8 mm, thickness 4 mm, lotion or oil for cooling, HSS drill, drill or drilling machine: The revolutions must not exceed 400 rpm, and the feed cannot be more than 0.10 mm / turnover. In other words, you can drill at up to 400 rpm. But this speed is not optimal. Therefore, it will be optimal, for example: 170 rpm, and the feed for every 30 revolutions is 1 mm (three times less than recommended).

Cooling of the drill during the drilling process is very important. Use emulsions, oils, drilling sprays. Water should be avoided, as it does not have the properties of lubricating fluids, but only cools.

Large diameter holes

To the question of how to drill a large diameter hole in metal, there is only one answer: in technological process reaming necks. For example, you need to increase the neck and get a size of thirty millimeters in diameter. First, it is drilled with a tool of a smaller diameter, for example, four millimeters, then under the size of 8 millimeters, then - 12 millimeters, and so each size expands to the result.

The neck of a large diameter in the product can be made on a lathe. The operation is as follows: drilling a hole, boring a neck right size. As pre-drilling is necessary, the process can be divided into stages: drilling of small diameter, reaming with a gradual increase in the diameter of the drill.

Drilling thin sheet

A feature of obtaining an armhole in a thin sheet of metal is its reliable fastening. After the drill exits to the other side, there is a danger that the sheet may suddenly jam and break out if it was held in hands. the best way reliable fastening of the sheet is a clamp. In this case, the risk that the tin will be torn out is much less. The amount of burrs formed is reduced, which will greatly facilitate the finishing processing of the element.

If the metal is 0.1 mm thick, you can make a hole without a drill using a metal punch tool. Its design is very simple, like pliers. A punch is attached to one lever, a matrix to the other. The principle is the same as for cold firmware using a stamp.

In order to cut a through groove in sheet steel, it is necessary, according to the size, to drill a successive row of holes, connecting them into a single slot with a chisel and a hammer. To do this, it is necessary to cut off the jumpers between the holes and clean the irregularities with a file.

metal pipes

In case of drilling metal pipe make sure that the workpiece is securely fixed in the vise. It is advisable to fix the drill on a vertical stand. Insert a piece of wood, identical in shape and size, into the pipe, which will save the pipe from deformation. In this case, apply a small feed.

Getting narrow nozzles

Drilling deep holes of small diameter can only be done on a special machine or a lathe using a fixture. The part is clamped in a 3-jaw chuck and checked for runout with a runout indicator. The device is attached to the tool holder. A drill chuck with a drill is installed in the fixture. First, the hole is centered, then the nozzle is drilled to a predetermined depth. Apply tailstock problematic, since the overthrown must be constantly withdrawn for the release of chips and lubrication.

To obtain vertical holes, a right-angle drilling fixture is used. For an electric drill, this is a vertical stand at an angle of 90 degrees to the base. The easiest way is to use a vertical drilling machine.