Drilling HARD metal
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From: Great NW
Drilling HARD metal
I am trying to mount a set of Anti-Sway bars on my 2wd '74 F100...
Part of the installation requires drilling holes in the frame (no problem) and 3/8" holes in the I-beams (ouch).
Those I-Beams are so hard that they are chewing through my new drill bits ($9.00 ea.) despite using copious amounts of cutting oil.
What is the best way of dealing with drilling through this hard material?
Part of the installation requires drilling holes in the frame (no problem) and 3/8" holes in the I-beams (ouch).
Those I-Beams are so hard that they are chewing through my new drill bits ($9.00 ea.) despite using copious amounts of cutting oil.
What is the best way of dealing with drilling through this hard material?
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From: Iowa
Drilling HARD metal
I find that the most important aspect of such a drilling operation is finding the proper drilling speed. Most drills will go too fast, which doesn't let the bit grab, and just creates smoke when you let everything get hot enough. It is almost impossible to go too slow, although it takes a very manly drill to withstand the load of turning constantly slow for a long time. As far as cutting oil, sometimes it does not help you. You have to view your bit as a consumable and just let it dig into the I-beam. Good luck.
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Drilling HARD metal
Ditto for what Ben said. But they want you to drill holes thru your I beams????? I wouldn't do that.
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From: clementsport canada
Drilling HARD metal
a trick we often use on hardened steel, and bolts, is to use carbide tiped concrete drill bits, sharpen a point on them like a normal drill and go to work... they drill like crazy, and you can buy a set of 5 or 6 for about $2 canadian (if you buy the cheap ones)
just drilled some QT plate with it the other day, that's being used as a cutter in a large chopper for a seaweed processing plant.. it's the same plate used for wear plates on heavey equipment
just drilled some QT plate with it the other day, that's being used as a cutter in a large chopper for a seaweed processing plant.. it's the same plate used for wear plates on heavey equipment
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From: Great NW
Drilling HARD metal
I tried using one of those "Drill Doctor" bit sharpening kits and managed to totally booger up a practice bit...
What's the trick to sharpening a drill bit?
What's the trick to sharpening a drill bit?
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From: clementsport canada
Drilling HARD metal
there is a trick to it, but i've never been able to explain it... just grind a little, and try it, then grind a little more and try it.. for steel, you dont' want much taper back on the face, it will break the edge off really quick.
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From: Sun River St. George
Drilling HARD metal
Gene, Please the name of the company that wants you to drill the I-Beams to mount a sway bar? I have never heard of this and I am very skeptical about weakening an I-Beam.
William in Atlanta
William in Atlanta
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Drilling HARD metal
Start with a small bit first and work your way up to the big one. Don't hurry it, making the bit hot will only burn it up. Don't think I'd drill the beams though....find a different sway bar
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From: Victoria, Texas
Drilling HARD metal
I personally don't think a 3/8 hole in an I-beam is going to weaken it too much. That's a relatively small hole. Now if you were generating a lot of heat like torching, that would weaken it. But I think I might find an easier way to mount sway bars, drilling in an I-beam under a truck doensn't sound like too much fun.
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Drilling HARD metal
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 01-13-03 AT 02:29 PM (EST)]I agree with Travis. Gene have you tried to use the factory stampted sway bar bracket? that fits over the I beam and gives a hole to bolt the link to for the sway bar. alot of camper specials had them. just a thought.
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Drilling HARD metal
there really isn't any trick to sharpening a drill bit...
Just take a bench grinder, and grind the cutting edge down a little bit and then taper it back down the bit a little ways. but try not to take too much metal away.
Just take a bench grinder, and grind the cutting edge down a little bit and then taper it back down the bit a little ways. but try not to take too much metal away.
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Drilling HARD metal
It's not as much the 3/8" hole that weakens it. The tooling marks and rough edges act as stress risers that can crack the beam like glass.
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Drilling HARD metal
Gene
As the above posts said, start with a small drill size and work up to the size that you need. However, I would recommend NO oil on the beit and try and use a cobalt steel bit. they are really sharp! expensive for sure but do they ever cut. the only downside to them is that you have to drill straight. **** the bit the slightest and they will break! good luck!
regards
Ben
As the above posts said, start with a small drill size and work up to the size that you need. However, I would recommend NO oil on the beit and try and use a cobalt steel bit. they are really sharp! expensive for sure but do they ever cut. the only downside to them is that you have to drill straight. **** the bit the slightest and they will break! good luck!
regards
Ben