If you mean 1/2" holes through sheet metal I would just use one of these: Neiko Titanium Step Drill Bit - 1/4" to 1-3/8" in 1/8" Increments, 10 Steps - Amazon.com
Awesome; my next question was going to be "what type of bit should I use?" haha, so thanks! So the step bits are better for this than a regular split point?
It's going to be 1/2" holes through aluminum, like this aluminum box: Pedal Parts Plus: 1590NS {similar to Hammond 1590BB} UNFINISHED
Does your suggestion still hold?
It's going to be 1/2" holes through aluminum, like this aluminum box: Pedal Parts Plus: 1590NS {similar to Hammond 1590BB} UNFINISHED
Does your suggestion still hold?
I think it would work fine. With larger holes like this slow down the drill speed, don't get in a hurry. And I always use a cutting fluid called "Tap Magic", really saves your bits/taps. It's very wise to clamp down your workpiece to prevent the metal from catching/spinning/and then...injuring.
I use the neiko step bit mentioned above and also have a set of cheap harborfreight bits Steel Step Drill Set - 3 Piece, Titanium Nitride Step Drill Bits
Come to think of it, I also have a set of hole punches for when i need to make perfectly clean holes through soft material (such as tube sockets). Requires a bit of elbow grease though.
For larger holes. I've used hole saws in the drill lubricated by WD-40, making sure to clamp down the work piece securely
Come to think of it, I also have a set of hole punches for when i need to make perfectly clean holes through soft material (such as tube sockets). Requires a bit of elbow grease though.
For larger holes. I've used hole saws in the drill lubricated by WD-40, making sure to clamp down the work piece securely
I always have to manually step up the sizes, Quite time consuming.
I also use a Tapered Reamer as well, and that works quite nicely !!
jer 🙂
I also use a Tapered Reamer as well, and that works quite nicely !!
jer 🙂
The local Lowe's has the Bosch 18v cordless on sale now for $99 (with 2 batteries). I'm real tempted though I already have dewalt and milwaukee cordless drills. I use these daily, no problems with batteries, my lithiums are a couple of years old, still work fine. Nicads are fine too, lithium charges faster and doesn't lose the charge if it sits for weeks unused. Keyless chucks are great, never could hang on to the damn key. Do yourself a favor and try the Bosch, if there's something you don't like about it, return it. If you do get a corded drill, be sure it has a long cord.... you don't want to be looking for extention cords and chuck keys when you could be finished.
Good luck with it.
Good luck with it.
So I took the plunge. Based on all your recommendations, I ended up going with this drill: Milwaukee 0240-20 3/8-Inch Drill - Amazon.com (has a keyless chuck, and I own a lot of extension cords =))
I also got this step bit: Neiko Titanium Step Drill Bit - 1/4" to 1-3/8" in 1/8" Increments, 10 Steps - Amazon.com
I got the Tap Magic cutting fluid: Tap Magic 10016E Cutting Fluid - Amazon.com
And finally, to start the holes, I figured I'd try this automatic center punch: Lisle 30280 Automatic Center Punch : Amazon.com : Automotive (I probably could have just used a nail and hammer instead, but whatever, the center punch looked neat).
Thanks so much for all your help over the last few days; I think I've got everything I need to do the project successfully. If the drill ends up not being quite right, then maybe I'll return it and try the Bosch 18v cordless on sale at Lowe's or some of the other recommendations.
I also got this step bit: Neiko Titanium Step Drill Bit - 1/4" to 1-3/8" in 1/8" Increments, 10 Steps - Amazon.com
I got the Tap Magic cutting fluid: Tap Magic 10016E Cutting Fluid - Amazon.com
And finally, to start the holes, I figured I'd try this automatic center punch: Lisle 30280 Automatic Center Punch : Amazon.com : Automotive (I probably could have just used a nail and hammer instead, but whatever, the center punch looked neat).
Thanks so much for all your help over the last few days; I think I've got everything I need to do the project successfully. If the drill ends up not being quite right, then maybe I'll return it and try the Bosch 18v cordless on sale at Lowe's or some of the other recommendations.
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And if I end up needing to drill a lot of holes I think I'll get a cheap tabletop drill press in the future.
Will do!
Thanks again for all of your help, guys, over the last few days. You've been great!
Sort of a random question but if anyone would know the answer, it would be you guys:
Is there any such thing as like a cap I can put in a drilled hole to make it look for finished? Like, say I drill a 1/4 inch hole, instead of the metal edges showing, is there like a small plastic cap I can put into the hole (or something) that makes the hole look more professional/finished (of course the cap should have a hole in the middle to of it to fit the piece through the hole I intend to put through it).
Is there any such thing as like a cap I can put in a drilled hole to make it look for finished? Like, say I drill a 1/4 inch hole, instead of the metal edges showing, is there like a small plastic cap I can put into the hole (or something) that makes the hole look more professional/finished (of course the cap should have a hole in the middle to of it to fit the piece through the hole I intend to put through it).
FWIW, the compact impact driver I use is on sale at sears. Invaluable for driving screws, lag bolts etc compared to a drill. Craftsman Nextec 12.0 Volt Right Angle Impact Driver - Tools - Cordless Handheld Power Tools - All Cordless Power Tools . When dealing with Sears, I normally order online and pick up in store. Saves time and money.
If you do use your drill for driving screws, consider investing in an inexpensive drill screw guide such as DEWALT DW2054B Compact Magnetic Drive Guide | ToolBarn.com . These can be found at any hardware store and will save you from much aggrevation and cussing.
If you do use your drill for driving screws, consider investing in an inexpensive drill screw guide such as DEWALT DW2054B Compact Magnetic Drive Guide | ToolBarn.com . These can be found at any hardware store and will save you from much aggrevation and cussing.
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Great -- I'm looking for something just like Wide-Flange WF Series - Caps n Plugs except in black and with the hole going all the way through. Do people just buy those and cut out the middle, or do they actually have caps where the middle is empty?
Thanks for the info; good to know!zobsky said:
Great -- I'm looking for something just like Wide-Flange WF Series - Caps n Plugs except in black and with the hole going all the way through (that can fit in a 1/4 inch hole). Do people just buy those and cut out the middle, or do they actually have caps where the middle is empty?zobsky said:
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If you have a Fastenal nearby they have Norseman Bits made with Hi-Moly tool steel, BTW made in St. Paul Minnesota.
I use them on everything at work and I really like working with them.
They are by far the best bits I have ever used.
At home I use Ridgid ColdFire Cobalt bits, they are solid cobalt instead of those Titanium Nitride coated bits.
The Ridgid bits are good up to about 3/32 Stainless before I reach for the High Moly bits.
I use them on everything at work and I really like working with them.
They are by far the best bits I have ever used.
At home I use Ridgid ColdFire Cobalt bits, they are solid cobalt instead of those Titanium Nitride coated bits.
The Ridgid bits are good up to about 3/32 Stainless before I reach for the High Moly bits.
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