How to cut a hole in metal. How to drill hardened steel at home. Features of deep hole drilling

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If you need to make a hole in the tree large diameter, then you will have to use special devices, each of which has its own characteristics. We will consider everything possible options and tell you about their main advantages and disadvantages so that you can choose best option in accordance with the specifics of the work in a given situation.

Criteria for choosing a quality option

Below we will consider the main types of fixtures, but for now we will indicate the criteria that any option must meet, regardless of its modification:

Reliable manufacturing material	Of course, it is unlikely that this criterion will be determined by eye, so it is best to ask the seller for a quality certificate for the product. Unreliable counterfeit variants from China most often do not have any documents.
Quality performance	Carefully examine the product: the surface must be smooth without flaws and defects, the cutting part must be carefully sharpened. If you are purchasing a long wood drill, check if it is even, this can be done by eye or by rolling it along flat surface- any violations are immediately visible on it.
good packaging	Low-quality fakes are most often packed somehow, moreover, there are errors in the words. No well-known brand will allow itself a nondescript packaging, remember this.
Price	Price is also an indicator of quality, usually the most budget options short-lived, especially when it comes to drills and large-sized fixtures. After all, they are subjected to very high loads in the process.

Advice! In order to be guaranteed to purchase a quality product, whether it be, you need to contact the official representatives of a particular brand or buy products in well-known stores that care about their reputation and do not sell cheap fakes.

Metal processing is carried out not only in industrial conditions. By doing repair work by car, fabrication of structures on personal plot or carrying out repairs to the home, it is necessary to drill holes in the metal. At home, a hand drill is most often used.

This universal tool requires certain skills in working with solid products. You can purchase or make your own machine for drilling holes in metal, but this is not a cheap pleasure.

The technology of drilling holes in metal consists in removing a thin layer of material due to simultaneous translational and rotational motion.

The main condition for high-quality and safe (for the tool) processing is holding the chuck axis in a fixed position. With the help of the machine it is easy to maintain straightness, which cannot be said when working with hand tool.

If you are not sure about the firmness of your hands (this is normal for ordinary person), drilling at a right angle requires mechanical assistants (jigs).

Immediately make a reservation that additional conductors are required only when the thickness of the metal exceeds the diameter of the drill.

If you're making a hole in a thin steel plate, straightness doesn't matter.

There are several types of hand drill guides. Power tools are not well suited for metal work, especially when it comes to precision.

Drilling guide. Made in the form of a body, easy to hold, inside of which there are guide bushings for drills of various diameters.

The material of the sleeves is harder than the tool, so the holes do not wear out. By installing the jig exactly above the center of the intended hole, you don’t have to worry that the drill will “take away” from the given direction.

This device is especially useful when drilling perpendicular holes in pipes of small diameter, when the tip tends to slip off the cylindrical surface.

Drill guide (manual). Support device in which the tool is fixed by the neck

The sole is placed on the workpiece, holding the handle with the second hand. The drill moves strictly vertically, avoiding distortions and drifts of the drill.

The design can have an angle holder for pipes of small diameter, which makes the fixture more versatile.

In the presence of rotary mechanism, you also get a fixture for drilling holes at an angle.

True, the metal cannot be drilled in this way, lateral loads will quickly break the drill.

Drill stand (semi-stationary). In fact, it is an inexpensive alternative to a drilling machine.

Drilling through holes in metal blanks is carried out various tools using special techniques. Many professionals in the performance of engineering work have to drill holes in metal structures often. These items have high elasticity, which forces the use of special cutting devices when drilling.

Types of drills and devices for drilling in metal

Necessary devices for drilling metal products - electrical and hand drills as well as drilling machines. The working part of such devices is a drill of various shapes:

spiral;
screw;
crown-shaped;
conical;
flat;
cannon;
rifle;
centering;
stepped.

Each drill has an individual marking, where the diameter of the section and the type of alloy from which it is made are indicated on the tip. To drill a hole of the required diameter, a drill bit a few tenths of a millimeter narrower is required.

Drills are also classified by length:

short;
elongated;
long.

Some materials may require a specially ground diamond-tipped drill bit. Twist drills may not be able to cope with products made of thin sheet alloys. In some cases, for drilling deep holes, the product has to be fixed in a vice, stops, conductors, corners with fasteners. This is done for safety and high quality holes.

Hole drilling modes in metal products

For drilling through holes in metal products it is extremely important to prepare for the process. In the tool, it is necessary to correctly fix and direct the drill. It is necessary to adjust the frequency of rotation and other parameters. For products that are too strong, a low drill speed is recommended. An indicator of correct drilling should be a uniform long chip.

Hole types and drilling methods

In some work in production, the following types of holes in metal blanks are often needed:

Through. Punches metal blanks completely. It is important to protect the surface of the machine from accidental exit of the drill outside the workpiece in order to avoid damage to the drill and the occurrence of burrs on the blank. Workbenches with holes are ideal for these types of work, where it is possible to put a wooden gasket under the workpiece. Holes in thin blanks are drilled with flat drills, because twist drill can noticeably destroy the edges of the product.
Deaf. Performed on required depth without penetrating the product through and through. In this case, an important point is measuring the depth, which is convenient to do by limiting the length of the drill with a sleeve stop or a drill chuck with a fixing stop. Professional machines equipped automatic systems feed to a given depth size, which allows you to fix the depth of the drill.
Deep. This type of hole includes those drills whose length is five times the diameter. When drilling deep holes, it is necessary to periodically eliminate the resulting chips with the use of additional lubricants. It is often necessary to enforce cooling measures for the drill and the product itself, which rapidly rise to too high a temperature as a result of friction. This applies to workpieces made of high-strength alloys. For deep holes, twist drills are used.
wide diameter. Drilling holes of large diameter in products of large proportions is a very responsible and time-consuming process. For such holes, conical, crown-shaped or step drills. Specialists carry out reaming at low tool speeds, trying to ensure the safety of the edges of the workpiece.
Complex shape. Sometimes it is necessary to drill through or blind holes in workpieces of different densities under internal thread. Technology has to be divided into two steps: preliminary training platforms and drilling itself.
Half. Half blanks are drilled, filling the cavities with wood. Stepped holes can be obtained by one of two techniques: reaming (passage of a drill of a smaller diameter to the entire depth of the workpiece, followed by reaming with drills larger diameter) and reducing the diameter (drilling a hole of a larger diameter to the required depth, followed by replacing a drill with a smaller diameter). As a result, the hole is clearly centered.

Safety when drilling holes in metal workpieces

Start drilling holes in metal blanks with great care, avoiding the rapid destruction of the drill. Compliance with simple rules when drilling will ensure safety and guarantee the release of a quality product at the end of work:

On the eve of drilling, it is necessary to carefully check the fixation of all fastening devices on the machine.
You can start work in special clothes to prevent any elements from getting under the moving parts of the machine. Protect your eyes from metal shavings with special goggles.
When the drill tip enters the metal workpiece, it should already rotate at low speed to avoid dulling.
Come out with a drill drilled hole should be gradually, reducing speed, but not stopping completely.
When the drill tip does not go deep into the workpiece, you will have to check the strength of the metal. When running over the surface with a file, it is possible to determine the degree of strength. If there is no roughness left on the grade, a diamond tipped drill or more solid material, and drill at low speeds.
Drills of small diameter, which are difficult to fix in the chuck, are recommended to be wrapped around the tail with brass wire to increase the diameter of the girth.
If the work is carried out with a polished workpiece, you can put a felt washer on the base of the drill to avoid damage when it comes into contact with the drill chuck.
To fix metal blanks made of polished or chrome-plated steel, fabric or leather gaskets are used.
When drilling deep holes, a small piece of compressed foam placed on the drill will blow off small metal chips. Also, the foam will make it possible to deepen the drill to the required mark in the production of blind holes.

Power electric drills must be taken into account when drilling holes in metal blanks of various hardness. Power tool manufacturers label their appliances with specifications on their body. For drills of different power, drills of the corresponding diameter are assumed.

You can entrust any, including drilling, to the specialists of Proflasermet. We will determine the required hole diameter and select suitable tool which we have a large selection of. As a result, you will receive perfect solution in short time.

Often when working with wood and materials based on it, it becomes necessary to drill an even round hole. You can use a jigsaw or a milling cutter, but such a tool is not always at hand or it is simply inconvenient to do the work with them. A wood dancer can make the task easier.

What is a wood ballerina

Circular adjustable drill"ballerina" - a device that is designed for drilling round holes of large diameter. The tool has simple design. It is a shank with a transverse rod, on which movable carriages with cutters are fixed. The bar has markings, according to which you can set the required spread of the cutters relative to the center of the intended hole. A core drill is fixed in the middle of the shank. It serves as a centering element and a support for drilling.

In addition to designs with two cutting elements arranged symmetrically, there are ballerinas with one cutter or even three. In the latter case, they are located on the basis in the form of a disk with grooves.

Tool functionality

A high-quality ballerina is made of high-strength steel, which makes it possible to use the device in working with soft and hard rocks wood.

This tool has an adjustable drilling diameter. This allows you to make holes of almost any diameter. The drilling range limitation depends on the size of the ballerina. Manufacturers produce fixtures with the following cutter spread limits:

from 30 to 120 mm;
from 40 to 200 mm;
from 40 to 300 mm;
from 40 to 400 mm.

The maximum drilling diameter is limited by the bar on which the cutters are attached. Minimum - shank thickness.

The ballerina drill can be used in any place where the use of a jigsaw or manual router will be uncomfortable. For example, it can be assembled and installed furniture, in the details of which it is necessary to drill a neat hole, given the limited space. Another example is an uneven (convex or concave) surface. It is unlikely that it will be possible to do everything evenly and accurately with a jigsaw or milling cutter. It will be difficult to control the tilt of the tool relative to the surface. The ballerina can easily cope with such a task.

Features of working with the tool

The principle of working with a circular drill is simple. A hole is drilled with a centering drill, and then cutters are included in the work. They gradually make a narrow groove, gradually cutting through the material in a circle to the full depth.

The materials used in working with the ballerina are varied: wood, fiberboard, chipboard, MDF, drywall, plastic. One thing in common - the thickness of the part should be no more than 15-20 millimeters. This parameter is limited by the length of the incisors. Usually the manufacturer indicates the maximum drilling depth on the packaging. When trying to drill through thicker material, problems with ragged edges can occur.

The use of a tool with a single cutter is characterized by runout. This is due to the lack of balance relative to the longitudinal axis of drilling. Especially the runout will be felt when cutting holes of large diameter. Cut holes with a drill at low or medium speeds. When working on drilling machine no such problems arise.

Also, a laminated or veneered surface can cause inconvenience during operation. After passing through the decorative layer, drilling proceeds without problems.

feature circular drill can be considered the possibility of adjusting the diameter. The distance between the cutters can be set on a scale on the bar, or more precisely with a caliper. This is convenient if you need to make a hole without gaps for a pipe or a round part.

The spacing of the incisors relative to the center is adjusted separately. It is necessary to expose the cutting parts as accurately as possible. This will get rid of extra effort during operation and prolong tool life.

How to choose the right one and what to look for

Choosing a quality circular drill is quite easy. The main thing is to know the main points that you should pay attention to in the first place, but also not to lose sight of the little things.

construction, very important point: a wood ballerina can be with one incisor or two or more. For frequent use, it is better to purchase an option with two or three cutting elements. It is easier to work with such devices and the quality of the processing performed will be at an acceptable level.

It will not be superfluous to be able to replace individual parts. Inexpensive circular drills may have a one-piece shank with a non-removable center drill and stem.

Metal, strength and ability to withstand workloads depend on its quality. quality tool made of high strength steel or alloys. The shape of the shank and holders of the cutters is machined. The bar is usually stamped and made of the same metal.

Cheaper options often use soft metal or alloys that can be brittle. Under load, parts can deform or break. Such a tool will not last long and it will also be difficult to achieve accuracy from it.

Workmanship, the main feature is the absence of backlash and distortion. All parts must be fitted to each other and securely fastened with fixing screws.

The marking of the bar of a high-quality ballerina is stamped. Sometimes divisions are highlighted with bright paint for better visibility.

Cutters, high-quality cutting elements are made of hardened tool steel. On the holders they are fixed with rivets or by soldering. Solid cutters with holders (made from the same metal) dull quickly and are not durable.

The manufacturer, when choosing any tool and consumables, preference should be given to well-known and long-established brands and brands. The most common are Topfix, Stayer, Irwin, Strum.

Purchasing an adjustable circular drill for household use, or if you need to drill a few holes, is completely justified. This eliminates the need to purchase an expensive tool that may only be needed a few times.

In such a simple way, you can make not only a round hole in hardened steel, but also a hole of any other shape without any extra effort. Chemical method will help you out and make things easier. The method does not require expensive chemicals, all ingredients can be found in any household.

It will take

I offer a simple method for making holes in high speed steel. For work you will need:

any product made of high speed steel;
marker;
nail polish;
nail polish remover (can be replaced with white spirit or acetone. I chose the remover only because of the pleasant smell, and this is the same acetone);
cotton wool;
empty plastic container (bottle);
salt;
homemade device from a charger and two nails.

Making a hole in metal without a drill

We apply nail polish remover to the cotton wool and degrease the surface of our workpiece.

We apply varnish to the desired area. Lacquer should be applied in a thick layer on both sides. Do not forget to carefully coat the ends. Leave the blank for 10-15 minutes for the varnish to dry.

On the dried surface, with a marker on both sides of the workpiece, I mark the place for the hole. I choose the place arbitrarily, now I need to show how a hole can be made in this way. For example, you need to put a regular factory rivet. The hole diameter should be slightly smaller than the rivet size.

Then, with a knife, remove the varnish inside the contour of the hole. Do this on both sides.

Pour water into a container and add 3 tablespoons of salt. The height of the water in the container should be 10 mm less than the height of the section of the workpiece covered with varnish.

I take a contraption made from a hair clipper charger and two nails. The nails will act as electrodes - I connected them to one contact. The other contact is just a bare, stripped wire. I use a 12V charger, but a regular mobile phone charger will do the job.

The stripped wire should be a plus, the electrodes should be a minus. We attach the positive wire with a clothespin to our workpiece. Then we lower the nails into the water.

You can make slots in the container to fix the position of the nails. Plugging the charger into an outlet. After switching on, the water around the electrode nails begins to bubble, and the cleaned mark under the hole turns black.

Note: to check the polarity of the wires, you need to connect the charger. If water begins to bubble around the nails, then this is a minus and you connected correctly. The appearance of bubbles in the water around the workpiece says that the minus is connected to it and it is necessary to throw the wires. The minus must always be connected to the electrodes and the plus to the workpiece to be etched!
We leave the container for one hour, 30 minutes after the start of the process, it is necessary to change the water. I turn off the charger and take out the workpiece.

In the intended place formed through hole. In order to make the hole diameter larger, the process can be continued. Or file uneven edges with a file.
This is how you can make the desired hole in the workpiece by etching high-speed steel with the help of the most common items.