They are lathe parts and the hole tolerance is +-.003 and needs to be a good finish. The depths are around 5xD and the diameters in the .425 range. There are several diameters. What's a good drill for this that will leave a good finish and hold size?
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Good Drill for Drilling Smaller Aluminum Holes w Good Finish
- Thread starter munruh
- Start date
- Replies 11
- Views 2,442
TeachMePlease
Diamond
- Joined
- Feb 11, 2014
- Location
- FL
Hardplates
Stainless
- Joined
- May 8, 2019
- Location
- What once was a free country
I've always had fantastic luck with Allied drills with through coolant. You can get some razor sharp tips for them that should perform nicely in soft material.
Finegrain
Diamond
- Joined
- Sep 6, 2007
- Location
- Seattle, Washington
While we're on the subject ... how about 8xD 1/2" coolant-thru?
Regards.
Mike
Regards.
Mike
G
Guest
Guest
A good drill is just as important as starting with a quality brand of aluminum.
EmGo
Diamond
- Joined
- Apr 14, 2018
With a slightly deep hole like this, I've always liked parabolic flute twist drills, since they have easy chip exit.
In fact, from using them for deepish holes I grew to like them for most everything. Put a racon point on them and they work good in moderately hard steel, too. Nice geometry, for a drill.
toolsteel
Titanium
- Joined
- Nov 9, 2012
- Location
- NW Wisconsin (BFE)
I dont get alot of aluminum.
If price was no factor....I would go with Guhring 3 flute coolant through drills.
They have worked great in milling applications. I have never tried them in a lathe.
If price was no factor....I would go with Guhring 3 flute coolant through drills.
They have worked great in milling applications. I have never tried them in a lathe.
This would be my first choice:
9055250127000 Drill, 1/2 12xD, RT 100 U, Carbide, nano-FIREX, Coolant through - GUHRING
I’ve never used them but how do people feel about yg1 dream drills?
I do a lot of plate work with thousands of 3/8 clearance holes and 3/8 taps.I use the yg1 130dpa parabolic short length drills. They do not leave a great finish but they last forever and drill fast.
So while we are on the subject anyone have a drill suggestion for that application?
I do a lot of plate work with thousands of 3/8 clearance holes and 3/8 taps.I use the yg1 130dpa parabolic short length drills. They do not leave a great finish but they last forever and drill fast.
So while we are on the subject anyone have a drill suggestion for that application?
EmGo
Diamond
- Joined
- Apr 14, 2018
I can't think of any drill that's going to guarantee a great finish. If the finish was important I'd probably drill undersize fast then ream. That would be repeatable and fit your size and finish requirement.
Or bore, but that's a bit slower.
Lastuneste
Aluminum
- Joined
- May 17, 2012
- Location
- Helsinki, Finland
Kennametal TF drills can make reamer-quality holes if everything is aligned properly
13engines
Stainless
- Joined
- Jun 30, 2015
- Location
- Saint Paul, MN
I use a 10mm (3/8 clearance) thru coolant Dream Drill going through 2" of cold rolled steel. Held in an ER32 collet running at 4320 RPM and 40 IPM. No pecks. I think those numbers are on the conservative side as I'm leaning towards longevity. I don't have an exact number but I know I'm getting at least between 1000-1500 holes. Never ran one to destruction. I've changed them out when I see a few extra percent load on the spindle and starting to notice a little wear beneath the cutting edge. I think I pay $85.00 for this drill.
