Steel tubing?

[RDAY]

Hey guys I want to drill through my tubing on my rail to add a couple mounting brackets what's the best way to do this? I figured I'd ask first before I broke bits off inside or something thanks

[RailGuy]

Keep a steady speed (even if they say hi speed drill bit, they work much better at a lower steady rpm), stay straight, use oil/wd40/etc to cool the bit down.

If you can take a tap/nail something of the sort and hit it with a hammer where u want the hole to go so the bit doesnt walk around the tubing.

Step the whole up, dont start out at the size you want, start smaller and work your way up.

You shouldnt break any bits unless you get twisted, or get caught on a burr and apply too much torque.

Just take your time.

[Dale M.]

Small drills bit run at high speeds, as drill bit diameter increases, speeds should decrease (bigger the bit - slower the speed).... Use center punch to locate hole... Use small diameter bit to start pilot hole... Increase drill size and a couple of steps to prevent unwanted action while drilling hole till you reach desired diameter.... Center punch through outer hole to indent inner part of tube to create hole on other side, alignment is critical.....

Its all basic machine shop practices, process is well documents as it has been around before beginning of industrial revolution.......

Dale
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All suggestions and advice are purely my own opinion. You are free to ignore them if you wish ...

[dirtkeeper]

i have had my best luck with drilling a small pilot hole, 1/8" or so, and then stepping up to the final bit next, assuming you have good drill bit. Seemed to give me a more accurate straighter hole as opposed to stepping up the bit several times.. but dale and rail guy probably have more experience then mine which is limited. But the key for me has been a QUALITY bit especially in the 1/2" and above sizes which i assume your talking about. good ones will send you through quickly and crappy one will have you pushing and fighting the whole way.

[Mal evolent]

the bits have a major diameter - the outside - and a minor diameter - the thickness of the web. for a 1/2" bit the web might be 3/16". the horizontal part in the lower right of this image, between "lip" and "chisel edge or dead center"

use a bit that size for a pilot drill. lubricate with tap magic, keep the speed down and don't lean on the drill.

if you need a hole bigger than 1/2" consider punching a hole with a hole saw and welding a bung in there to keep the tubing strong

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[pafree]

i have had good luck with harbor freight step bits at slow speed with lube. i still make a 1/8 pilot hole before using the step bit.


if you sign up for the coupons, the bits go on sale all the time.

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-piece-titanium-nitride-coated-high-speed-steel-step-drills-91616.html