Must use some kind lubricant...kerosene as suggested earlier is optimal.For aluminium as thin as 8mm I wouldn't bother with lubricant, makes too much mess.
Just make sure the drill bits are sharp and drill from the visible side.
Use drill stand and drill hole in stages, starting with 3mm pilot hole.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdvs80rywi4 says it all.
Dan.
Don't forget about reamers, they can come in handy.
Needed a 16.5mm hole; never found that drill/cutter, but ordered a reamer which worked nicely.
http://www.mcmaster.com/#reamers/=u0nar0
Needed a 16.5mm hole; never found that drill/cutter, but ordered a reamer which worked nicely.
http://www.mcmaster.com/#reamers/=u0nar0
Kerosene is the lubricant of choice for aluminum.
Not flammable under drilling conditions (compared to any alcohol, for example) and evaporates without residue.
..but not without quite strong fumes. And as opposed to alcohol, I would not store kerosene in my workroom. I've not had alcohol ignite on me thus far and also evaporates without residue.
Overkill for putting in a power switch.Don't forget about reamers, they can come in handy.
Needed a 16.5mm hole; never found that drill/cutter, but ordered a reamer which worked nicely.
McMaster-Carr
Guys, for an 8 mm hole, he doesn't need lubricant. It's not like he's doing a production job where he's drilling 4000 holes and it's economically beneficial to lube the bit to increase tool life.
Guys, for an 8 mm hole, he doesn't need lubricant. It's not like he's doing a production job where he's drilling 4000 holes and it's economically beneficial to lube the bit to increase tool life.
A voice of reason!
I couldn't agree more.
Most important
Safety first
Use classes (because of swarfs flying around-> not nice to have them stickin your eyes)
No lose clothes, rings, necklace or long hair which can wrap around the drill
(ist no fun powerful machines will not stop)
Safe your workpiece once against pulling up and twice against
throwing around if the drill hooked.
to lubricate i mostly use methylated spirits works well with alu
-you dont get a Alu-Aufbauschneide so fast (Alu with time gets more on the cutting edge -sorry dont know this word in english)
-it cools the workpiece and the drill a little bit.
-thats my two cents
Safety first
Use classes (because of swarfs flying around-> not nice to have them stickin your eyes)
No lose clothes, rings, necklace or long hair which can wrap around the drill
(ist no fun powerful machines will not stop)
Safe your workpiece once against pulling up and twice against
throwing around if the drill hooked.
to lubricate i mostly use methylated spirits works well with alu
-you dont get a Alu-Aufbauschneide so fast (Alu with time gets more on the cutting edge -sorry dont know this word in english)
-it cools the workpiece and the drill a little bit.
-thats my two cents
Attachments
Then you will need kerosene for clean up .Vegetable oil.
Most kitchens have.
Kero works really well as drilling/tapping/cutting lube .
Dan.
I love it when the Americans come on board.
In the UK most of us would just drill the hole with a B&D and no lubricant.
The Americans have to go the whole hog and buy a drill press which costs more than getting the hole drilled at a local fabricators.
I use WD40, cheap as chips and in most DIY tool boxes.
In the UK most of us would just drill the hole with a B&D and no lubricant.
The Americans have to go the whole hog and buy a drill press which costs more than getting the hole drilled at a local fabricators.
I use WD40, cheap as chips and in most DIY tool boxes.
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