Drilling holes in metals such as steel and aluminum are a widely known metal fabrication technique. Be it for screws, bolts, threading, or other purposes, drilling is an important technique and requires precision in the end product. A half an inch of deviation can be disastrous for further processes.
In this blog, you will learn about techniques, tools, and considerations for precision drilling in stainless steel and aluminum, as well as the importance of professional metal drilling services in Albuquerque.
Read on!
What is Drilling?
Drilling involves the removal of material from a metal workpiece to create holes with specific diameters and depths. It requires careful planning, precise measurements, the right tools and equipment to drill consistent and accurate holes. While aluminum is a soft metal, stainless steel is a hard metal, and thus, drilling these two requires knowledge about their properties and choosing the drill bits accordingly. It goes for every metal. Choosing the right tool is vital to ensure quality and precision and avoid deformation and wear and tear.
Techniques for Precision Drilling
The technique of metal drilling is the same; however, it’s the drill bits that make all the difference. They are fixed at the front of the drilling machine and are responsible for scooping out the metal. Drill bits are metal tools with different shapes carved onto them. When rotated at a high speed with the drilling machine, they create the desired hole in the metal. Drill bits come in different sizes and shapes and are chosen based on the material, hardness, and thickness.
Some of the drill bit types are discussed below:
HSS Drilling
High-speed steel drill bits are made of steel and used to drill stainless steel and aluminum. These drill bits are strong and durable, withstand high temperatures, and maintain sharp cutting edges. HSS drills are versatile as they are available in various geometries, including twist, center, and step drills.
Carbide Drills
Carbide drills are made of tungsten and carbon and are very strong, even more so than HSS drills. They can easily cut into items that HSS drills can’t penetrate, such as concrete, tiles, and hard metals. They are super durable and not prone to wear and tear.
Diamond Drill Bits
Diamond drill bits are the hardest and most accurate. They have tiny particles of diamonds, which ensure that even the hardest metal is drilled accurately and smoothly.
Laser Drilling
Laser drilling is an advanced technique for cutting through metal and carving holes. Its contactless drilling procedure is quite popular due to its ‘no-waste’ operation.
Drill bits are also classified based on their shapes, such as twist drill bits, spade bits, auger bits, Forstner bits, etc.
Precision Drilling for Stainless steel and Aluminum
To ensure precision in stainless steel and aluminum, you need expert metal drilling services in Albuquerque. However, if you are undertaking metal drilling for your DIY project, here are the steps to drill metal precisely and accurately.
Choose the Drill Bit
Choosing the right drill bit depends on the metal you are drilling. The harder the metal, the harder the drill bit you need. Check out the drill bits we discussed in the blog, and choose the right one for your project.
Protect Yourself
You are advised to protect yourself before undertaking drilling. Wear protective gloves, safety glasses, and noise-cancellation equipment if you drill for a long time.
Clamp Your Metal Piece
Clamp your metal piece securely on a stable bench to ensure it doesn’t move during the drilling.
Prepare the Metal
Prepare the metal and mark the dimples where you need to drill the hole. Use a center punch and hammer to mark the dimple and proceed with drilling. If you are using a CNC drilling machine, this step can be eliminated, as the automated system marks the metal, whether it is one piece or thousands of them.
Drill The Hole
Now, all you need to do is drill. Fix the drill bit, turn on the power, and drill the hole. If you need to drill a large hole, use a small drill first to drill a small hole and then widen it with a wider drill bit.
Deburr The Hole
Drilling creates jagged edges on the metal sheet. You can use a special deburring tool to smooth the edges.
Conclusion
Stainless steel and aluminum are two very common metals, and drilling them also requires some basic knowledge of their properties so you can choose the right drill bits and create perfect holes.
This blog has covered the essential points regarding stainless steel and aluminum drilling, including the drill types and the drilling process. However, if this is your first drilling project, you should look for metal drilling services in Albuquerque and get quality finishes.
