[Farmwelding]

I made a stainless steel die (dice) but when I went to drill the holes in the mill some holes would just force the bit into the chuck and melt the bit. I used several speed settings and oil. Some holes drilled alright but some would not. Any suggestion would help.

[Poland308]

Slow , lots of pressure. And there is a good cutting / drill lube that is a paste that works Awsome. Can't remember the name but I'll look tomorrow.

[Otto Nobedder]

Yep. Stainless likes very low RPMs with high pressure to make those ribbons peel off/up the bit. When you have the right pressure, you'll know by the ribbons peeling off silver. If they're straw-colored, your pressure is too high. If you get chips, your pressure is too low. If you can't get either, your bits are too cheap.

There is a cutting "wax" called Cut-Eeze, but I prefer Tap-Magic thread-cutting oil. The wax is far less expensive. I look forward to Josh's update on the cutting paste he mentioned.

Steve S

[Farmwelding]

I've been using some drill bits from enco, taping oil like Otto mentioned and 600-1400 rpm depending on the size of the drill bit ( starting small then increasing size)

[Otto Nobedder]

I set my drill press at 150 RPM, because it won't go lower.

Steve S

[Otto Nobedder]

I'd set it at 50 RPM, if I could. Low speed, high pressure.

Steve S

[Poland308]

image.jpeg (36.66 KiB) Viewed 1034 times

This is the stuff I've used and had good luck with. It stays on the bit good. I dip my bits in it like you would nozzle dip. It's about the same thickness. Or I brushed it on with a chip brush when I had to hole saw a 5in hole in a 14in 300 # SS flange for a test fitting.

[rick9345]

When nothing else will do Plain Old Lard,even bacon drippings from breakfast pan.

[Poland308]

Or I've even used just water in a spray bottle.

[motox]

135 ro 140 degree drill is good
four faceted drill points better
must be sharp and cool or it
will work harden the stainless

[The_Fixer]

I'm sneaky.... I give it to someone else to do.....

But 1500 RPM sounds very high On any size.
I often find a drill bit in the workshop kit with a melted end on it and we say "who has been drilling stainless?"
Usually find out it was that Chinese fella again. Sum C**t.

[kiwi2wheels]

I'm sneaky.... I give it to someone else to do.....

But 1500 RPM sounds very high On any size.
I often find a drill bit in the workshop kit with a melted end on it and we say "who has been drilling stainless?"
Usually find out it was that Chinese fella again. Sum C**t.

That guy gets around ...............

[Poland308]

He must fly to the US in the evenings. Ours seem to only get burnt up when no one is around to see it. After hours.

[Bill Beauregard]

My neighbor, now deceased said you can't drill stainless without bees wax. I had a large volume because my grandfather was a shoemaker. I now will need to find more. His theory was the excess heat was consumed melting the wax. Bee keepers are all around, I hope it won't be hard.

Bees wax is indispensable for locks, windows, drawers, doors, planers, wood working machinery etc., etc.