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Old 03-08-2019, 01:32 AM   #1
mitch808
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Default 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...
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Old 03-08-2019, 05:30 PM   #2
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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.
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Old 03-08-2019, 07:36 PM   #3
gjkrisa
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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.
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Old 03-08-2019, 11:04 PM   #4
speedyHAM
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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.
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Old 03-28-2019, 02:54 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mitch808 View Post
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...
did you get your holes drilled? ba dum tah!

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.
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Old 03-28-2019, 10:51 PM   #6
CarmelValleyWRX
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a bumper beam is mild steel as far as i know...
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Old 03-30-2019, 02:15 PM   #7
mitch808
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This isnt a subaru application. It is not mild steel rather some alloy short of maybe true hardened stuff
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Old 03-31-2019, 11:17 AM   #8
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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.
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Old 04-09-2019, 09:41 AM   #9
rtv900
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Quote:
Originally Posted by isotopesope View Post
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.
meh, a carbide drill is fine in a manual press unless it's some harbor freight china deluxe that slops around .030 each way.

Quote:
Originally Posted by mitch808 View Post
This isnt a subaru application. It is not mild steel rather some alloy short of maybe true hardened stuff
not sure on a subaru, but I modified my bumper brackets on my 1950 to tuck the bumpers in, so I needed to drill them.
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:
Originally Posted by Zombie Panda View Post
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.
WHAT?
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?
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Old 04-11-2019, 08:17 AM   #10
isotopesope
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rtv900 View Post
meh, a carbide drill is fine in a manual press unless it's some harbor freight china deluxe that slops around .030 each way.
We'll have to agree to disagree on that one. Just because you can, doesn't mean you should.

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.
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Old 04-16-2019, 03:23 PM   #11
rtv900
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Quote:
Originally Posted by isotopesope View Post
We'll have to agree to disagree on that one. Just because you can, doesn't mean you should.

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.
I wasn't implying you use china deluxos, just saying.
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Old 05-08-2019, 09:58 PM   #12
Jack
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Drill a smaller pilot hole first.
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Old 11-06-2023, 05:01 PM   #13
RX_13
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Default Hole making

I’ve had luck with a plasma cutter in the past. I hope you got the hole drilled after 4 years.
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