Help! Problems drilling alu plate

[Buggyjam]

Another begging for help post. I'm trying to drill 3mm holes into alu plate. I've bought some HSS drill bits from eBay. I've only a hand drill. I'm running into problems. It's driving me mad!

 

1/ I think the drill bit has already burnt out 

2/ despite centre punching the hole, the bit skids everywhere

 

can any of you recommend some appropriate drill bits for doing this? Do I need a pillar drill? (They seem expensive). What speed should I use?

 

thank you in advance this is driving me potty. Next hurdle will be figuring out a way to align holes to drill in the side of the chassis too.

[Nobbi1977]

Get a cheap battery drill. Start with 1.5mm and work up.

[MadInventor]

You definitely bought a drill bit and not a milling cutter or a slot drill ? (Should have a pointy end)  A 3mm drill bit should go through aluminium like cheese, even with a powered hand drill. Is drill rotating clockwise as you look down it's axis from back to front ? (If the drill is in reverse it won't work, a drill bit is like a right hand threaded bolt, rotate clockwise to drill into the metal). As far as speeds go, I use 1000- 2000rpm on my mill to drill 3mm holes in aluminium. I can't see why the drill should skitter around if you've centre punched the aluminium, as long you're holding the drill perpendicular to the surface of the aluminium.

 

 

[Buggyjam]

Thanks chaps. I bought HSS drill bits. They did have a pointy end. I also made sure the direction of turn was correct. I think I may have been running the bit too fast. They were off eBay though so goodness knows what the metal they're made of. should I be using a lubricant or something?

[tam-trucks]

ive always used cabolt drill bits,they are more expensive but far better the other cheap types,start with 1.5mm then 2.5mm and then 3mm to finish off,these cabolt give a must better cut

[waterbok]

Using anodized aluminium? the top coat sometimes can be kind of hard to get thru but aluminium as such is like butter.

[tam-trucks]

bench drill you can pick them up for £30 and they do the job,,,i bought my bench drill for a tenner of market and still going strong

 

[Buggyjam]

2 minutes ago, waterbok said:

Using anodized aluminium? the top coat sometimes can be kind of hard to get thru but aluminium as such is like butter.

That's a good point, it didn't mention it was anodised when I bought it too my knowledge but I may over overlooked that. I'll check the paperwork that came with it.

[Buggyjam]

4 minutes ago, tam-trucks said:

ive always used cabolt drill bits,they are more expensive but far better the other cheap types,start with 1.5mm then 2.5mm and then 3mm to finish off,these cabolt give a must better cut

Thanks, I'll look into cobalt drill bits they seem like a decent thing to have but more pricey like you say. 

[MadInventor]

5 minutes ago, Buggyjam said:

That's a good point, it didn't mention it was anodised when I bought it too my knowledge but I may over overlooked that. I'll check the paperwork that came with it.

You should be able to tell from the surface finish if it's been anodised, and if you've centre punched the holes this will have gone through the anodise coating anyway. To answer your question about lubricant, you generally don't need it for aluminium. It's worth also checking that there is no swarf jammed in the end of the drill bit as this will prevent it from working properly.

 

 

[tam-trucks]

yeah cobolt,,,oops typo error

[Buggyjam]

4 minutes ago, tam-trucks said:

bench drill you can pick them up for £30 and they do the job,,,i bought my bench drill for a tenner of market and still going strong

 

Do you know of anywhere that does them that sort of price you know of? I've been looking on fleabay but they seem to come in over £100 which I can't afford :-(

[Buggyjam]

Just now, tam-trucks said:

yeah cobolt,,,oops typo error

Oh who cares, I know what you mean :-). Thanks for the tip

[tam-trucks]

have a look at auction ones,,new one are from 60-70 plus,used one are ok,just check of spindle movement,,sometime secondhand one are better then new,as they built to a cost

heres one but collect    201810740315  notts area

[KEV THE REV]

you should be ok with a battery drill , make sure you keep the pressure on the drill bit even and don't push down on the drill or it can slip , let the drills weight do the job , but keep a firm grip on the drill . I've drilled many a hole in many a piece of alu and steel , you'll be fine 

[tam-trucks]

or as above

[MadInventor]

Another thought, are the drills straight ? You can check this by either rolling them on a flat surface, or put them in the drill and rev it, the drill should not look like it's wobbling. If it is wobbling, this could account for the skittering around. Also, you don't need much rev to drill a hole, it's more important to apply a reasonable pressure. it is quite possible to start a hole with the drill rev at just a few revolutions per second (240-360) rpm. This will help to keep the drill where you put it. Don't just put the drill in place, apply pressure, and give it the berries.

[Buggyjam]

46 minutes ago, tam-trucks said:

have a look at auction ones,,new one are from 60-70 plus,used one are ok,just check of spindle movement,,sometime secondhand one are better then new,as they built to a cost

heres one but collect    201810740315  notts area

Cheers for the link tam trucks, I'll take a look at that

[Buggyjam]

40 minutes ago, MadInventor said:

Another thought, are the drills straight ? You can check this by either rolling them on a flat surface, or put them in the drill and rev it, the drill should not look like it's wobbling. If it is wobbling, this could account for the skittering around. Also, you don't need much rev to drill a hole, it's more important to apply a reasonable pressure. it is quite possible to start a hole with the drill rev at just a few revolutions per second (240-360) rpm. This will help to keep the drill where you put it. Don't just put the drill in place, apply pressure, and give it the berries.

youre right the drill bit is bent. I've studied the drill and found the chuck wasn't rotating true. I think it's been dropped or bent somewhere along the line and this probably has damaged the bit. Only other thing I have is my dremel but I suppose they lack the torque for drilling metal? I may look into a second hand pillar drill

[Prescient]

When you say hand drill, do you mean a manual one or electric/battery? 

Argos do the Guild bench pillar drill which is brilliant value for money at £62 plus includes a 2 year warranty. There is no need to get one any better for hobby or home diy work. 

http://www.argos.co.uk/product/4769639

Stop buying cheap tools off eBay and use screwfix or toolstation for your drill bits etc. There are loads of stores and Toolstation HSS bits even non cobolt ones are great. Cheap drill bits amongst many tools are a false economy.

I use Toolstation cobolt bits to go through steel plate with a dewalt electric drill no issue. 

 

[Wooders28]

46 minutes ago, Prescient said:

Stop buying cheap tools off eBay and use screwfix or toolstation for your drill bits etc. 

2nd that!

Although you can get cheap tat at screwfix too.

Where abouts are you @Buggyjam ? 

[Tamiyabigstuff]

Lidl had a basic pillar drill for about £30 last week - may have some left.

Oooops ! Just popped into my local Lidl and they are actually £60

[Buggyjam]

1 hour ago, Prescient said:

When you say hand drill, do you mean a manual one or electric/battery? 

Argos do the Guild bench pillar drill which is brilliant value for money at £62 plus includes a 2 year warranty. There is no need to get one any better for hobby or home diy work. 

http://www.argos.co.uk/product/4769639

Stop buying cheap tools off eBay and use screwfix or toolstation for your drill bits etc. There are loads of stores and Toolstation HSS bits even non cobolt ones are great. Cheap drill bits amongst many tools are a false economy.

I use Toolstation cobolt bits to go through steel plate with a dewalt electric drill no issue. 

 

No electric hand drill

 

You're right, I've found this out the hard way. :-/

[Buggyjam]

36 minutes ago, Wooders28 said:

2nd that!

Although you can get cheap tat at screwfix too.

Where abouts are you @Buggyjam ? 

I live in Northern Ireland Wooders but I'm in Lincs for the next 3 weeks visiting parents 

[Nobbi1977]

12 minutes ago, Buggyjam said:

I live in Northern Ireland Wooders but I'm in Lincs for the next 3 weeks visiting parents 

Where abouts in Lincs? It is a big county.

I am just outside Market Rasen