Drilling brass

[urbanwarrior]

What type of drill bits are you guys using to drill through brass?? Guide holes, motor holes etc.
John

[Gameover]

Yep i just use the cheap tool shop bits from menards. They are like $5 for like ten bits in a case

[strangebrew]

Like they said.......I chuck the smaller ones up in the Dremel.....(up to 1/8 or so0

[waaytoomuchintothis]

I did the same as these guys for many years, but got sick and tired of cheap drill bits that aren't accurate diameter, so I held my breath and bought serious machinist's quality drill bits. Wow. Not only accurate but sharper than I could ever get mine.

[urbanwarrior]

I don't have a drill press or anything fancy like that, so I think I'll make a trip to Harbor Freight and pick up some cheapies. I don't much care as long as they drill through the brass sheet.

John

[ccobra]

I try to avoid drilling through brass unless it is a tube. I normally use a punch, like a leather punch from Harbor Freight. Gives a good clean hole.

[bill from nh]

When I first started, I bought individual HSS bits in the sizes as I needed them. I still have many of these bits 40 yrs. later. As time went on, I added some center drills & a couple stepped drill bits. As ShotgunDave said above, it's very important to center punch a hole's location so your bit won't skate around. I first center punch too, then use a center drill to bore a small starter hole to be enlarged. These short double-ended bits have a larger shank & drill more accurate holes than a small regular HSS bit. A stepped drill bit will drill a variety of different size holes very true in sheet metal with few ,if any, burrs. Stepped bits are available in a range of different sizes for holes from about 1/8" to greater than 1". I use both kinds of bits in an old Taiwanese drill press, but if one works carefully, they ought to work in a hand drill too.

[Florida_Slotter]

If you have a variable speed drill, just use a slower speed.

Step drills are things that should be part of your tool collection.

I think you are doing great on your first build. Just remember this, it is a learning experience.

If I can help, just ask.

[Retro Racer 44]

What Marty said, the slower the better, especially on 1/16 brass that I usually use.

Keith

[RazorJon]

harbor freight drill bits are trash, dont waste your money dewalt sells a few small sets and are good drills

Fastenal sells sizes and are very good quality, I like a split point bit, it starts better and cuts better just get the few you need like a 3\32 is less than $3.00

Drilling be it steel, brass or aluminum you should use a coolant \ lubricant the bit gets the hottest right before the break out

for steel I use a water soluble oil, aluminum WD-40 works great, for brass soap water works great

hope this helps

Be safe

[btaylor]

As some have stated, Drilling brass needs to be done at slower speeds, and with decent bits. I found a neat trick years ago for keeping your bit lubed and cool. If you keep and old jar of Vaseline handy, you can just dip the drill bit tip in it. It will pick up enough jel to keep the bit cool, and as it heats up a little, the liquid will run onto the part you are drilling, keeping it cool as well. It also helps keep the tiny brass shavings from going all over the place. simply wipe the bit off when done with a paper towel.
I would also recommend making sure your part to be drilled is secure, as the bit can stall at the breakthrough point, and try to spin your part.

Bob

[munter]

[DAVE]

The real trick to drilling through sheet brass ( or tube for that matter) is to break the sharp
edge of the bit so it doesn't grab when the drill breaks through. You can dull it with a
sharpening stone if you don't have a drill bit sharpener. Just go in line with the shaft of
the bit so that there is not so much cutting angle to the flutes.

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