Hand Drill+Colbalt Bits = Broken Bits

[gsxrsrad1000]

Ok people, does having a drill press for drilling through these bolts make it that much easier.  I went out and got 1/16 and  5/32 Dewalt Colbalt drill bits, and every last one of them broke using my hand drill and trying every method possible?  Should I be purchasing a better drill bit?  Are there places you can send these off too and have them do it?  What is the trick cause after reading other testamonies on this site, that stuff wasn't working for me.  

[Woofentino Pugrossi]

Dont push so hard. Let the drill do the work. Stay steady. When its about to come out the other side, back off the pressure and go slow. BTW a good cutting oil is a good idea. Also try to keep teh bit 90 deg to the work at all times. A drill press and jug are great, but alot of us dont have drill presses or the room for one.


BTW I safety wired all my YZF750's bolts on 1 drill bit. ;D

[tzracer]

I got a drill press for about $100. It sits on a work bench, takes up very little room.

[gsxrsrad1000]

yeah harbor freight has those mini drill presses for like 40 bucks (not sure how reliable that is) but I know craftman has some for like 100.  I was using cutting oil, but I guess the drill press allow you to control the pressure more, I just didn't think it made that much of diffeence, because I was letting the drill bit do the work, it would just get dull within seconds.  Guess I'll get a drill press or drive an hour away and use my Grandpops old school Floor standing drill press :)

[H-man]

BTW I safety wired all my YZF750's bolts on 1 drill bit. ;D

Show off :P

Yeah I'm jealous of such a demonstration of patience and skill.  Hell, I break off Roto-Zip bits and sabre/scroll saw blades left and right just cutting flat material :'(.  Don't ask about nuts & bolts :-X

[Eric Kelcher]

Here is a good rule of thumb for proper pressue for speed of cutting with maximum bit life.

Apply eough pressue so that curls of metal are removed, if bit is chipping you are not pushing hard enough and dulling the bit. The bigger the bit the more pressue needed and why a drill press is effective it allows you to put a straight even pressure on the bit. Speed also will come into play (and there is a whole guide I have seen at machine shops for speed pressure for given diameter bit) and you can slow the bit down if you you cannot apply enough pressure.

[gsxrsrad1000]

Hummm thanks Eric, that makes sense.  I will try 3 in 1 oil along with 5/32 bits and use a drill press and see what kind of results I can get from that.  Thanks for all the input guys, I appreciate it.

[Woofentino Pugrossi]

You sure you are using 5/32 drills? Those are over 1/8". If you are snapping those, you definately are using too much pressure.  :o

And all this time I was using a 1/16" bit. ;D

[gsxrsrad1000]

I was using 1/16 and tried a couple 5/32.  I am going to use a drill press tomorrow and see if I get different results

[Woofentino Pugrossi]

I was using 1/16 and tried a couple 5/32.  I am going to use a drill press tomorrow and see if I get different results

5/32 or 5/64's?  ;D ;D

[gsxrsrad1000]

Cool, I'll try lithium grease and the dewalt colbalt 5/32 with a drill press and see how that comes out.

[gsxrsrad1000]

FINALLY GUYS, THANKS FOR ALL YOUR ADVICE, I GOT TROUGH ALL 25 OF MY BOLTS USING 5/32, DRILL PRESS, Liquid Wrench AND PATIENCE.  After you do a couple, you figure out what speed and pressure to use.  From my experience 5/32 and 5/64 are the best sizes to use. 1/16 is just too small and breaks too easily.