[sdiy] Hunk o metal

[Andre Majorel]

On 2011-02-03 19:10 -0600, Sam Ecoff wrote:

> Any tips on drilling it out on a drill press? (what speed do
> you use for metal?

Low speed and some pressure. Cutting oil is a good idea.

> Do I want to use a stepper bit?)

That depends of the ratio between the diameter of the hole and
the thickness of the material. I've made 11 mm holes into a 3 mm
panel with cylindrical bits and got good results. But on a 1.5 mm
panel, 6 mm is about the maximum without a stepped bit IMO.

If you don't use a stepped bit, always start with a small pilot
hole (say, 2.5 mm) and use progressively larger bits. If you
start with a large bit, it will wander (and take a long time).

Regardless of the type of bit, I always centre punch and let the
bit "pull" the panel into place.

-- 
André Majorel http://www.teaser.fr/~amajorel/