Looking to drill lots of

Discussion in 'Tool Talk' started by Deleted member 33931, Jun 26, 2014.

  1. holes in 3mm steel. Biggish ones, around 12mm dia.

    What bits do you recommend? Anything from our hosts?

    Thanks.
     
  2. malkie129

    malkie129 Screwfix Select

    Using a hand held drill or adrill-press DA ?
     
  3. ashtreefarm

    ashtreefarm New Member

    You do not say exactly how many holes, just lots?
    Normally in thick steel (plates, RSJ's etc) you would use a Rotabroach machine, they are mag mounted drills with special bits and very easy to use.
    Because of the electric mag mount they can be used upside down or easily slid around plate steel and at least you won't spin around the drill when it snaggs.
    Just google rotabroach hire here is an example http://thetoolhireshop.com/product/magnetic-stand-and-rotabroach-drill/
     
  4. Sean_ork

    Sean_ork Screwfix Select

    hole saw and a de-burring tool, SF do the Bosch ones which are fairly reasonable

    if the work-piece isnt overly large, and has 100s of holes, find someone with a laser or water jet, find the right place and they'll have it done in no time, no burrs to clean up and very cheap
     
  5. Sean_ork

    Sean_ork Screwfix Select

    isn't a RB just a little bit of overkill for 3mm thickness ? - if it's just normal Chinese mild steel you don't need anything so powerful
     
  6. malkie129

    malkie129 Screwfix Select

    That was my thought Sean.
     
  7. ashtreefarm

    ashtreefarm New Member

    Yes I agree too Sean, should have clarified for lots of holes only. Hole cutter as you suggest, stepped cutter, 12mm HSS bit can just do a few.
     
  8. malkie129

    malkie129 Screwfix Select

    I would tend to use a decent HSS twist drill...The DeWalt or Bosch should be fine with a decent cutting lube such as Dormer Supercut or Rocol RTD. I would normally drill a pilot hole first when drilling 12mm , using a centre drill or a 4mm or similar twist drill.
     
  9. Er...cough...sorry, folks. By 'lots', I mean about ten... :oops:
     
  10. malkie129

    malkie129 Screwfix Select

    LOL....Twist drill(s) should be fine DA. :D
     
  11. Sean_ork

    Sean_ork Screwfix Select

    I suppose 12mm being biggish was the first clue :rolleyes:
     
  12. chippie244

    chippie244 Super Member

    Using a hole saw for 12mm WTF, If you have a big stand drill you could probably do it in one go with a jobber or else 4, 8 then 12 or 6 then 12.
     
  13. Chust wondering if there was a recommended brand or type. I've used standard jobbers from our hosts, and tbh they were a bit pants - lost their edge very quickly.
     
  14. Sean_ork

    Sean_ork Screwfix Select

    Dormer jobbers
     
  15. chippie244

    chippie244 Super Member

    Using the correct pressure, speed and lubricant are very important.
     
  16. Mr. Handyandy

    Mr. Handyandy Screwfix Select

    ......she said!
     
  17. chippie244

    chippie244 Super Member

    So is finishing the job off, apparently :(
     
  18. Mr. Handyandy

    Mr. Handyandy Screwfix Select

    Oooer. Too much information, I think!
     
  19. Biochef

    Biochef Member

    And on that bombshell good night ;)
     
  20. malkie129

    malkie129 Screwfix Select

    Dead right Sean....but I would still put a pilot through first. ;)
     

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