Drilling Stainless Steel

[two stroke mick]

Is there any special precations that I need to take before I drill S/S?

TSM

[Cypman]

Use a really good quality drill and some oil to act as a lubricant/coolant. Be careful when cutting through the final bit as the drill is likely to "kick". If drilling a hole greater than circa 5mm it is often better to drill a first hole at half size followed by a second at the required size. A pillar drill is the best solution if you can get hold of one and the SS to be drilled is mobile!!

[Andy B]

use a slow speed drill

[Simon B]

Get brand new rock hard good quality drills, a greater quantity of the smaller diameters. As said drill a small pilot hole (another reason for buying more) Use a good centre punch to mark hole. Start the forst hole dry, no cutting compound, when you are through use the cutting compound on the larger diameters. Go slowly and watch out for the drill (if hand held) snatching, so dont hold your thumb over the handle keep your thumb on same side as fingers. Dont forget to pick up the swarf or it stick into things and stay there and rust - stainless does rust believe me!

As you might imagine I used to drill lots of holes in stainless in my former life.

[Screaming04]

cobalt drill bits are made for this very purpose. No oiling or compound required and you can drill multiple holes with one bit.

[martini]

This should move to FAQs next to "drilling holes in fibreglass" before it gets to 10 pages

[Stephen-RIB]

Start off with a smaller hole and use cutting compound with slowest speed you can. If you go fast then you could harden the steel up with heat!

[bedajim]

Originally Posted by two stroke mick

Is there any special precations that I need to take before I drill S/S?

TSM

If standing in water using an electric drill, wellies are a good idea ?

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by martini

drilling holes in fibreglass..

How do you do that then?

[free]

The definitive answer...if you can be bothered reading it, otherwise, what they said.

http://www.bssa.org.uk/topics.php?article=194

free

[alystra]

Make sure the drill cuts all the time. If you let it rub without cuttiing the steel will work harden and make the job very difficult indeed.

Ah! 'Free's ' link says that too.

[Bigmuz7]

Originally Posted by martini

This should move to FAQs next to "drilling holes in fibreglass" before it gets to 10 pages

Bring it on I love these threads *edit* I know .. I know

[boristhebold]

I had to drill some holes to fit some new nave lights, top tip don't think of using an old drill bit, go to b and q and buy a new one or two specifically for stainless steel, it will make a big difference to how easy it will be to drill.