587,240 active members*
3,785 visitors online*
Register for free
Login
Results 1 to 7 of 7
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Posts
    3

    Drilling aluminum

    Hi all. I am not a machinist by any means, but i have a (maybe) dumb question.
    I have some 3/8" thick 6061 AL plate that i want to drill a 22mm hole through. Also, on the same center I'd like a 28mm hole halfway through, as the picture shows:

    However, I only have limited tools - a handdrill, a drill press, etc...
    Question: is it possible to do this with the tools i have, assuming i am will to spend a few bucks on bits or whatever? Would a combination of spade buits work? Also, it is not necessary to have it super accurate.
    Thanks,
    Byron

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Posts
    12177
    An open mind is a virtue...so long as all the common sense has not leaked out.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Posts
    3
    hmm..for some reason my search yielded no fruit - thanks a lot!
    Byron

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Posts
    12
    Quote Originally Posted by mantisory View Post
    Hi all. I am not a machinist by any means, but i have a (maybe) dumb question.
    I have some 3/8" thick 6061 AL plate that i want to drill a 22mm hole through. Also, on the same center I'd like a 28mm hole halfway through, as the picture shows:

    However, I only have limited tools - a handdrill, a drill press, etc...
    Question: is it possible to do this with the tools i have, assuming i am will to spend a few bucks on bits or whatever? Would a combination of spade buits work? Also, it is not necessary to have it super accurate.
    Thanks,
    Byron
    If you clamp workpiece down to drill table you should be able to drill a pilot hole say 5mm then drill out to 22mm dia try and use the bright finish drills as the alum sticks to black(steam finished drills)you will need a counterbore with a 22 dia pilot for a one off you could get a piece of 22 dia round and cross drill say a 5mm hole to take a brocken centre drill and sharpen this to give a single point cutting tool its easy for me as I was a toolmaker send me your email address I will draw up a sketch of what I mean regards shiney

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Posts
    532
    you could get forenster bit to do big hole, works pretty good on aluminum, just use some lubricant(wd 40 or similar).

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Posts
    242
    Send it to me with return postage and a $5 bill. I'll CNC it dead on. I'm slow right now. Priority mail flat rate is $4.20.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Posts
    3
    davereagan, thanks for the offer, but i will be trying the Forstner bit this weekend i think - i need to finish up this project soon

Similar Threads

  1. deep drilling small holes in aluminum
    By Fremont Dave in forum MetalWork Discussion
    Replies: 13
    Last Post: 11-25-2007, 08:03 AM
  2. Drilling large holes in aluminum
    By watsonstudios in forum Uncategorised MetalWorking Machines
    Replies: 14
    Last Post: 05-03-2007, 01:55 PM
  3. drilling and drilling cycles tutorial
    By wmorre in forum MetalWork Discussion
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 10-19-2006, 12:30 AM
  4. Drilling Holes in Aluminum
    By JavaDog in forum MetalWork Discussion
    Replies: 23
    Last Post: 09-09-2005, 03:29 AM
  5. Question about drilling Aluminum
    By cross6 in forum MetalWork Discussion
    Replies: 11
    Last Post: 11-15-2004, 03:12 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •