Mastering Drilling: Best Practices for Efficient Material Removal

⚒️Spot drilling is recommended when using high-speed steel tooling and can prevent the drill from walking around.

🌡️Drilling with coolant can help reduce tool wear and improve chip evacuation.

💪Carbide drills are rigid enough to stay centered without the need for center drilling, which can actually harm tool life.

🔧If center drilling is needed for excessively long drills, a pilot hole is recommended instead of center drilling.

❌Improper feeding of indexable drills can cause chip binding inside the flutes and potentially destroy the drill.

When should I use spot drilling?

—Spot drilling is recommended when using high-speed steel tooling and the drill length is more than three times its diameter.

Does drilling with coolant have any benefits?

—Yes, drilling with coolant can help reduce tool wear and improve chip evacuation.

Is center drilling necessary for carbide drills?

—No, carbide drills are rigid enough to stay centered without center drilling, and center drilling can actually harm tool life.

What should I do if I need to center drill an excessively long drill?

—If center drilling is needed for excessively long drills, it is recommended to use a pilot hole instead of center drilling.

How can I prevent chip binding and drill destruction with indexable drills?

—To prevent chip binding and potential drill destruction with indexable drills, ensure proper feeding and evacuation of chips.

00:00Drilling is an efficient way to remove material, but it can be challenging without guidance.

00:08Spot drilling is recommended when using high-speed steel tooling and can prevent the drill from walking around.

00:18Drilling with coolant can help reduce tool wear and improve chip evacuation.

00:32Carbide drills are rigid enough to stay centered without the need for center drilling, which can actually harm tool life.

00:44If center drilling is needed for excessively long drills, a pilot hole is recommended instead of center drilling.

00:49Indexable drills require proper feeding to prevent chip binding and potential drill destruction.

01:14As a machinist, it's important to find what works for you and be creative.