Drill aluminium

[Edwin Dorre]

Hi,

I just bought a el-cheapo drill press. A 'kinzo'. Is costed about 79 euro. I have a little question which I could not find (strangely) an answer to in google and diyaudio;

What is the best speed to drill 4.2mm and 5.2mm holes in 16mm thick aluminium??? I want to use the black&decker bullet drills.

I have a choice between 600rpm and 2600rpm...

Thanks,

Edwin

[grataku]

Any respectable drillpress will have pulleys on top to adjust the speed besides the two main speed settings.
The general rule is that speed is inversely proportional to the drill diameter.
In your particular case I would stick to the 600 setting and a nice and sharp drill bit.
You can always tell when you are doing good you need a minimum push and long Al curls (7-8cm) are generated during drilling. If the stuff looks chunky the drillbit is dull or you're going too slow.

[Edwin Dorre]

Originally posted by grataku
Any respectable drillpress will have pulleys on top to adjust the speed besides the two main speed settings.
The general rule is that speed is inversely proportional to the drill diameter.

I meant I can choose between; 600 900 1250 1750 2600 -rpm indeed with pulleys!

So what is the best speed from these 5?

Tnanks in advance!

Edwin

[Peter Daniel]

Generally for aluminum, the higher the speed you can get away with, the better. Up to 3/8" diameter you should be OK with 2600 rpm and up to 1/2" diameter 1750 rpm is still safe. But if for some reason you don't feel comfortable with higher speed, just reduce it. 600 rpm is way to slow for 5mm drill bit, but I like to use that speed when boring large holes for recessed screws (Allen type) with B&D bullet drill bits (and for mixing concrete)

1" is about 24.5mm.

[ElectroNick]

Use a drop of oil when drilling

I too have such a cheap drill but i worked perfect with a few drops...

[Duck-Twacy]

Ik zeg het, Gamma!

I have a "Quantum", costing about 90 euros, but I think they are all from the same (used 2 be east) German factory.

It weighs about 23 kilos. Still wished I spend a few extra euros to buy me a Proxxon drill press.

Something like this:

[grataku]

From the man that taps with a drill...
...and you know what happened when you tried that at home...

Originally posted by Peter Daniel
Generally for aluminum, the higher the speed you can get away with, the better. Up to 3/8" diameter you should be OK with 2600 rpm and up to 1/2" diameter 1750 rpm is still safe. But if for some reason you don't feel comfortable with higher speed, just reduce it. 600 rpm is way to slow for 5mm drill bit, but I like to use that speed when boring large holes for recessed screws (Allen type) with B&D bullet drill bits (and for mixing concrete)

1" is about 24.5mm.

If you like to try that 1/2 an inch at 1750rpm make sure the piece is well fastened to the drill table!
Well make sure that's the case anyways!

[joke]

Hi...sorry of topic...can someone tell me what tool to use for cuting 1cm tin aluminium...maybe some picture or link

Thanks
Josip

[Peter Daniel]

Originally posted by grataku
From the man that taps with a drill...
...and you know what happened when you tried that at home...



If you like to try that 1/2 an inch at 1750rpm make sure the piece is well fastened to the drill table!
Well make sure that's the case anyways!

Those numbers are taken directly from the cover of my drill press but I have to agree that holes like 1/2", I prefer to drill at 600 rpm.

However anything like 5mm you can drill at any speed you feel comfortable, even 3200 rpm

[Xray]

I've been reading messages on this forum for many months and have learned a great deal about all aspects of DIY audio (I haven't touched on the tube forum yet, though). I've never registered because I haven't felt I had anything to contribute, until I saw this thread. One thing I know a lot about is cutting metal. For what it's worth, my suggestions:

Cutting speed is typically measured in surface feet per minute (probably meters per minute for the rest of the world). To determine the SFM from RPM for a given size drill or other rotating cutting tool (or the workpiece, if it's being turned in a lathe), determine the circumference of the tool (pi*diameter (in feet)). Multiplying the result by the RPM gives surface feet per minute. To find the required RPM when the SFM is known, use a little algebra.

Typical cutting speeds for common materials include 500 SFM for aluminum, 100 SFM for mild steel, and 50 SFM for Stainless Steel. If you do the math, you end up with around 7500 RPM for a 6mm drill in aluminum. The point is, you'll probably not run your drill press too fast for drilling small holes in aluminum.

More important for drilling clean holes in aluminum is using a decent cutting fluid and clearing the chips out of the hole often. Aluminum tends to dissolve into the steel of the drill bit, gradually building up until the drill quits cutting and you a have an oversize, ragged hole (or broken drill bit). Lubrication prevents this. If you're drilling a lot of holes, find an industrial supplier and buy a cutting fluid made for aluminum. They're usually sold in small quantities. Common materials that work well include kerosene (almost as good as commercial products), beeswax, WD-40, and lard. Lubricating oils typically don't work as well. Back the bit out of the hole often to clear the chips and get the lubricant to the cutting edge.

Another important point, especially with materials like Stainless Steel, is to use enough pressure to make the bit cut. If it's not cutting, it's rubbing and getting dull. Push hard enough to produce chips (but not too hard with small bits).

Clamping the workpiece is important. A piece of aluminum spinning around at 3000 RPM is scary if you're sober.

Hopes this helps.

Joe