|
|
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
03-08-2019, 01:32 AM | #1 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 10228
Join Date: Sep 2001
Vehicle:2002 Subaru WRX |
Drilling hardened steel
I need to drill a number of holes in hardened steel aka bumper beams.
Can anyone recommend some good affordable solutions? Ive read about using carbide masonry bits or carbide glass/tile bits. Buying a dedicated set of carbide bits is about 10x the cost...
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.
|
03-08-2019, 05:30 PM | #2 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 13530
Join Date: Dec 2001
Chapter/Region:
NWIC
Location: Cascadia
Vehicle:EA63 , EA81T, EJ20G, EJ205 |
Turn the speed WAAAAY down, lots of lube, drill bit sharpener... Or spend the money for the right bits. Keep the heat down as much as possible so it doesn't work harden the already tough material.
That's what I'd do, outside having the right bits on hand. |
03-08-2019, 07:36 PM | #3 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 461897
Join Date: Jan 2017
|
If you use titanium bits it only takes a drop of oil till you notice the bit is dry and keep the drill speed down you shouldn't have much issue just also use a good amount of force
If the bit is smoking your are using to much speed if the drill slows down when applying force you are using to much force Unless the bit is almost thru then you use more speed less force to try and make the back more smooth Carbid will be easier and last longer but titanium will also last a long time and are way cheaper. |
03-08-2019, 11:04 PM | #4 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 48377
Join Date: Nov 2003
Chapter/Region:
MWSOC
Location: "They eat fish soaked in lye"
Vehicle:1996 Gutted, built XP class Impreza L |
Bumper beams are not that hard to drill. Just keep the speed down as stated and use plenty of machine oil. Sharpen the bit beforehand or buy a new one.
|
03-28-2019, 02:54 PM | #5 | |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 265783
Join Date: Dec 2010
Chapter/Region:
RMIC
Location: the fern behind the porn couch
Vehicle:2017 Forester XT Niner ROS 9 |
Quote:
i'm quite late to the thread, but i would recommend a cobalt coated drill (HSCO), be sure to center punch the locations so the drill doesn't walk, and use lots of cutting oil. yeah, you can definitely use a tungsten carbide tipped masonry drill, but a true carbide drill should NEVER be used in a hand drill or even a drill press. they are too fragile for that. those are really for CNC use only. |
|
03-28-2019, 10:51 PM | #6 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 453872
Join Date: Sep 2016
Vehicle:2005 wrx wagon 48w |
a bumper beam is mild steel as far as i know...
|
03-30-2019, 02:15 PM | #7 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 10228
Join Date: Sep 2001
Vehicle:2002 Subaru WRX |
This isnt a subaru application. It is not mild steel rather some alloy short of maybe true hardened stuff
|
03-31-2019, 11:17 AM | #8 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 425346
Join Date: Jul 2015
Chapter/Region:
South East
Location: 127.0.0.1
Vehicle:2003 WRX Caucasian |
You can anneal the area first with a torch. Then use tungsten carbide bit. You may get by with cobalt (not Kobalt-Lowe's brand). HSS or titanium coated will not drill hardened steel.
|
04-09-2019, 09:41 AM | #9 | |||
Scooby Guru
Member#: 428511
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: philadelphia
Vehicle:2016 STI |
Quote:
Quote:
Holy crow was that ultra tough steel, I had no idea what I was in for. HSS didn't even touch it. I had to use a solid carbide end mill. Quote:
Then he's just annealed his brackets!!!!!!! Don't tell me he can re-heat treat them with a torch having no experience doing that? |
|||
04-11-2019, 08:17 AM | #10 | |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 265783
Join Date: Dec 2010
Chapter/Region:
RMIC
Location: the fern behind the porn couch
Vehicle:2017 Forester XT Niner ROS 9 |
Quote:
Also... HF!? Have I not proven myself enough to be an anti-China snob? I never use a single Chinese made anything in my shop. Nearly every single cutter, insert, or drill I use is USA made. |
|
04-16-2019, 03:23 PM | #11 | |
Scooby Guru
Member#: 428511
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: philadelphia
Vehicle:2016 STI |
Quote:
|
|
05-08-2019, 09:58 PM | #12 |
Add Lightness
Moderator Member#: 13699
Join Date: Dec 2001
Chapter/Region:
NESIC
Location: Hopkinton, MA
Vehicle:2021 Building It Better |
Drill a smaller pilot hole first.
|
11-06-2023, 05:01 PM | #13 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 535895
Join Date: Oct 2023
|
Hole making
I’ve had luck with a plasma cutter in the past. I hope you got the hole drilled after 4 years.
|
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|