How to Drill Through Hardened Steel: Your Guide?

It can be quite a challenge to drill through-hardened steel. The metal is tough and resistant to wear and tear, making it difficult for most tools to penetrate. In this blog post, we will discuss the best methods for drilling through hardened steel and drill bit sets designed for this.

We will also provide a step-by-step guide on how to drill through hardened steel and provide some tips on how to make the process easier and more efficient. Let’s get started!

Things You’ll Need

• Drill bit set designed for hardened steel
• Safety goggles
• Ear protection
• Face mask
• Heavy-duty gloves
• High-quality drill motor with plenty of torque
• Bench vise
• Marking tool (e.g. sharpie, scribe)
• Cutting lubricant
• Center punch and hammer

Step by Step Guide On How to Drill Through-hardened Steel

Do you need to drill through hardened steel? The key is to use the right tools and techniques. In this blog post, we will discuss how to drill through hardened steel using a variety of methods. If you’re looking to drill through-hardened steel, read on for some helpful advice!

Step 1 Select a drill bit set designed for steel

Steel drill bits can be used on a variety of surfaces, from hardwood to PVC piping.

You can find these types of bit sets at your local hardware store or online retailer.

Reccomended a drill bit set to use:

• DEWALT DW1263
• HYCLAT HSS0501
• Proffi 7-Piece Drill Bit Set

Step 2 Select a lubricant to use while drilling

Lubricants are a must when drilling through hardened steel. They help to reduce friction, heat, and drill wear. If the hardened steel you want to drill has been galvanized, cadmium plated, or is composed of stainless steel, use kerosene instead of machine oil since it will prevent the formation of rust while the hole is being drilled.

You can also use dry graphite powder in place of an external lubricant if your hole drill isn’t too long and doesn’t have teeth on its sidewalls (for example step drills). The powder helps by reducing friction between the hole drill and hardened steel.

Reccomended a lubricant to use:

• Cutting Oil for Drilling, Tapping, Milling
• Industrial Pro Cutting Oil | Premium Cutting Fluid for Drilling, Tapping, Milling
• CUTit Multipurpose Cutting, Drilling, Tapping, Threading, and Machining Oil

Step 3 Locate the center of the hole you will be drilling

To locate the center of the hole you will be drilling, use a sharp object to mark the spot on the hardened steel. You can then use a straight edge to draw a line from that point to where you want the hole drilled. This will help ensure that your drill bit is properly aligned when starting to drill. It is important to make sure that the surface is level before drilling.

You can also use a center punch to create an indentation in the center of your mark which will help keep your drill bit from slipping off-center as you start drilling.

Step 4 Apply the lubricant to the metal you are drilling and your drill bit

Once you have picked out a lubricant and marked where you want to drill your hole, it is time to apply the lubricant. This can be done by dipping one end of a clean cloth into some machine oil (or another appropriate lubricant). Then wipe this on both sides of each tooth as well as around the edges.

Step 5 Start drilling with moderate pressure and low speed, using a small-diameter drill bit

If you’re using a small-diameter drill bit, start drilling at low speed and moderate pressure. If this doesn’t work, try increasing the feed rate by about 20 percent for every increase in spindle speed (for example from 50 rpm to 75rpm). You can also use an aggressive cutting edge geometry like that found on carbide tools which will allow them to cut faster without needing as much torque or feed force!

Another option would be going with less expensive high-speed steel bits but these types cannot handle large diameters due to their limited strength.

Step 6 Select a slightly larger diameter drill bit

If you find that your small-diameter drill bit isn’t making much progress, it is time to select a slightly larger diameter drill bit. You should also increase the spindle speed by about 20 percent when doing this.

Step 7 Select the diameter drill bit you will need to make the hole to the desired specifications

Now that you have reached the desired hole size, it is time to select the diameter drill bit you will need to make the hole to the desired specifications.

If your hole needs to be a specific size and/or has certain tolerances, you should use a drill bit that is as close as possible to these dimensions. This will ensure accuracy and a good fit for whatever you are drilling!

Once you have drilled through the steel, remove any burrs or excess material with a file. If needed, use a grinding wheel to get rid of any large pieces. Finally, clean off your drill bit before storing it.

Tips for drilling through hardened steel

Here are a few tips for drilling through hardened steel:

Using a masonry bit for drill hardened steel

Use the right size of masonry bit for your purpose by measuring it with a ruler or caliper. Masonry bits come in different sizes and shapes, so you need to make sure that what you choose fits properly on your tool’s chuck without slipping out when drilling holes.

Inspect the drill bit for wear and tear before use. Bits that have been used before may not be as effective when drilling and can easily chip, break or shatter if too much pressure is applied while turning it.

Dull bits will also heat up more quickly than new ones, so make sure to cool them down with a water spray bottle or wet rag intermittently during operation to prevent them from becoming damaged.

Drill slowly into the material you’re trying to cut using even pressure on the tool. Applying too much force will only cause the bit to slip out of its chuck, bounce around erratically, and potentially damage.

Controlling the Vibration

If you feel a vibration coming from your drill, stop immediately! It could mean that something is wrong with the speed at which it’s spinning or how fast you’re pushing down on this tool while drilling. If there isn’t enough pressure being applied, then try applying more force by holding onto one side of the bit and slowly moving it back towards its original position until there are no longer any vibrations when turning off-center again.

If both sides seem to be vibrating equally then try using a piece of wood in between them as well before continuing work; doing so can help absorb some of those tremors caused during drilling operations for better control over your project materials without having anything slip out unexpectedly due to vibrations.

Sharp Tools & Correct Feed

Make sure that the drill bit is sharp by checking its cutting edges regularly. Dull bits will not only heat up quickly but also take more time to make a hole in your material, so it’s essential to keep them well-maintained for better results.

In addition, always use the correct feed when drilling through hardened steel. Feeding too fast can easily cause bits to break and become damaged, so it’s important to be patient and let the drill do the work instead of forcing it along. Applying pressure evenly while turning the tool will help avoid any mishaps or damage to either the drill bit or the workpiece you’re trying to drill.

Let the Tool Cool Down Constantly

Make sure to let the drill bit cool down constantly during use. This can be done by spraying it with a water bottle or wet rag intermittently, which will help dissipate the heat and prevent the bit from becoming damaged.

You should also try to avoid working in high temperatures as much as possible when drilling hardened steel. If you can’t work in a cooler environment, then make sure to take frequent breaks to give both you and your tool some time to rest. Operating for too long in hot weather conditions can lead to fatigue, so it’s always better to be safe than sorry!

Never Risk Your Safety

If possible, try to find someone who has experience using drills before attempting a project like this one on your own – it might save lives someday!

Drilling holes into hardened steel requires patience and care, but with enough practice, anyone can

These are just a few basic tips that will help you when trying to drill through hardened steel using an electric tool. By following these guidelines, you can avoid any mishaps or damage that might occur while working on your project.

Conclusion

Drilling hardened steel can be difficult if not done correctly so following these steps should help make the process easier for everyone involved! By using a lubricant and keeping the drill bit cool, you can minimize wear on both the drill bit and steel being drilled through. Additionally, by selecting the correct diameter drill bit and increasing spindle speed when needed, you will be able to get through your hardened steel without any trouble.

If you have any questions about how this process works or other tools that can help improve your drilling experience, please let us know in the comments below.

Drilling through hardened steel should now seem like a breeze compared with how hard it was before! Good luck out there and happy drilling!