Rubbing alcohol is an excellent lube for drilling/tapping AL, just make sure it doesn't all evaporate before you're done. Bonus is there is no clean up.
Kerosene is the lubricant of choice for aluminum.
Not flammable under drilling conditions (compared to any alcohol, for example) and evaporates without residue.
Not flammable under drilling conditions (compared to any alcohol, for example) and evaporates without residue.
Don't forget to get a file or two to clean up those holes- and to turn a round hole into a square or rectangle.
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.
Just make sure the drill bits are sharp and drill from the visible side.
Must use some kind lubricant...kerosene as suggested earlier is optimal.
Use drill stand and drill hole in stages, starting with 3mm pilot hole.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdvs80rywi4 says it all.
Dan.
Must have done that wrong at work for years then. ;-)
Mind you I'd certainly use lubricant for a large hole in 1"plate though.
Mind you I'd certainly use lubricant for a large hole in 1"plate though.
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
..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.
I'd just use a bit of motor oil for a one off.
You know that leftover bit from the last time you topped up the car you sold years ago that's tucked away at the back of the garage somewhere?
Thick enough to slow down and deflect some drilling debris as well.
You know that leftover bit from the last time you topped up the car you sold years ago that's tucked away at the back of the garage somewhere?
Thick enough to slow down and deflect some drilling debris as well.
Overkill for putting in a power switch.
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.
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
New update, I asked ebay seller along1986090 if he could drill a 19mm hole for me, I got positive response, and even no extra charge. That's the best option I could have, save me a lot of hassle, and some money.
I have just drilled a perfect 19mm hole in a 10mm thick alu panel with a stepped drill bit and a lot of lubricant. It just doesn't work without lubrication.
Then you will need kerosene for clean up 🙄 .
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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