Ron_F Posted May 8, 2006 Share Posted May 8, 2006 I'm having lots of problems trying to drill a couple of small holes (2mm) in the Ali floor of my SV. Tried normal (black) and titanium (yellow) HSS drill bits but they don't want to "bite" into the metal, on both slow and high speed settings. End up with nice polished dimples in the floor Thought it would be easy, aluminium is soft isn't it? Am I missing something Are there special bits for aluminium? Any advice would be appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beelzebub Posted May 8, 2006 Share Posted May 8, 2006 Silly question...Are your drills sharp 🤔 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Williams Posted May 8, 2006 Share Posted May 8, 2006 another silly question, is your drill reversable and is it spinning in a clockwise dirrection 🤔 Adrian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Carmichael Posted May 8, 2006 Share Posted May 8, 2006 Probably all your drill settings are too fast - normal household type drill designed for masonry. If your drills were sharp before they wont be now. You may need to start the drill location with a decent centre punch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I.Mupferit Posted May 8, 2006 Share Posted May 8, 2006 I would think Adrians suggestion is the most likely. 😳 Aluminium is just about the easiest of metals to drill and since you've tried a range of drill bits I'm assuming they cant all be blunt. Brent 2.3 DURATEC SV Reassuringly Expensive R 417.39 😬 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I.Mupferit Posted May 8, 2006 Share Posted May 8, 2006 Even on a very fast setting, a 2mm bit should pop through thin aluminium sheet with absolutely no difficulty and definitely wouldn't blunt a decent quality drill. I still think an anti-clockwise rotation to be the most likely culprit. Brent 2.3 DURATEC SV Reassuringly Expensive R 417.39 😬 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Plato Posted May 8, 2006 Share Posted May 8, 2006 ensure the drill bit is in the drill the correct way - the sharp end points outwards 😬 *tongue* sorry , couldnt help myself Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Ford Posted May 8, 2006 Share Posted May 8, 2006 Try the Microsoft Drill Troubleshooter: Is your drill battery or mains? Mains Is it plugged in to a wall socket? Yes Is the wall socket switched on? Yes Sorry, the Microsoft Drill Troubleshooter does not have a suggestion for your problem. Please consult your drill vendor or purchase a new drill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashaughnessy Posted May 8, 2006 Share Posted May 8, 2006 1) Apply some pressure. Are you pressing the drill into the job? It won't bite without any pressure. Don't use so much pressure that you buckle the floor though - just a firm pressure. 2) Use good quality drill bits - cheapo drill bits are pretty crap. 3) Don't use a fast speed - use quite a low RPM. A fast speed will drill a hole but it won't be so neat. 4) Use some lubricant - I don't know what is the "correct" lubricant for aluminium so I just use some 3-in-1 oil. The drill is supposed to cut the metal from the job in a nice long "peel", like peeling an apple almost. It never works out this way for me but I know I'm doing a good drilling job when I get long bits of swarf instead of dust. If you are doing the above then a 2mm hole in thin sheet ali should take about five seconds to drill. If not, you've got blunt bits or the drill is going backwards. You haven't got the hammer setting turned on have you? Anthony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CageyH Posted May 8, 2006 Share Posted May 8, 2006 Mark the location with a centre punch, and drill at a slow speed from there. Your drill bits may be getting too hot, and not cutting, assuming you have checked all of the above. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shn7 Posted May 8, 2006 Share Posted May 8, 2006 Are you certain it's aluminium you're try to drill and not stainless steel? Though I can't imagine why you'd have a SS floor. Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neil.cavanagh Posted May 8, 2006 Share Posted May 8, 2006 something is wrong... I drilled the lowered floor on my SV a few weeks back and it was a piece of piss... Really does sound like the drill is in reverse.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bricol Posted May 8, 2006 Share Posted May 8, 2006 hee hee - once spent half and hour watching our shop manager with 25yrs experience cursing the drill, the drill bits, the metal and the world in general - then suggested switching the drill to clockwise . . . straight through . . . Next door neigbour did the same last week - lent him some proper drill bits and away he went - holes straight through his bit of RSA. As for "peeling" - that isn't the correct way - with correct speed, tip angle, lubricant etc, you should get chips - not dust or peel - safer too - to break the "peel", "blip" the trigger to momentarily break the strip coming off. Actually, with aluminium Caterham floors and a 2mm bit, you should be able to simply push it thro . . . Bri Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myles Posted May 8, 2006 Share Posted May 8, 2006 Stop pansying-around. Use a Magnum* *VTT - if you bought your Magnum from the corner-shop, try getting one from a Manchester or East-End pub... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative Crudders Posted May 8, 2006 Area Representative Share Posted May 8, 2006 When I did this the (not especially sharp) bit was out the other side before the drill motor was even up to speed, so I have to agree that something is awry. Were your drill bits last used for fashioning Gruyere perhaps C Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jingars Posted May 8, 2006 Share Posted May 8, 2006 Any advice would be appreciated That'll teach you to give BlatChatters carte blanche in the advice stakes Let me know if you want me to come round and sit in the car - you'll have holes all over the place then....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grubbster Posted May 8, 2006 Share Posted May 8, 2006 Ron_F has gone very quiet, I wonder how he is getting along now? I'm intrigued to know whats been going wrong. Roadsport build photo's here Le Mans 2004 photo's here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve T Posted May 8, 2006 Share Posted May 8, 2006 I suspect he is too embarrased to tell us !! Steve 700 miles so far and counting ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron_F Posted May 8, 2006 Author Share Posted May 8, 2006 Thanks for all the kind suggestions, especially jingars Haven't had time to investigate further today but promise to report back when my full stupidity has been thoroughly exposed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hibster. Posted May 9, 2006 Share Posted May 9, 2006 This could be another coppaslip moment 😬 Supercheese R250 Caterham pictures here 😬 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron_F Posted May 9, 2006 Author Share Posted May 9, 2006 OK, stupidity completely exposed Adrian and Brent had it right......drill set to reverse In my defence....it is easily moved by accident AND I don't use reverse often AND my bits are old .... I'll shut up now and just accept that I look an 🙆🏻 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manxseven Posted May 9, 2006 Share Posted May 9, 2006 😬 😬 oh sorry 😬 😬 😬 😬 This should be placed in shining wit 😳 Ron - Top man for owning up Caterham Fireblade here Edited by - Manxseven on 9 May 2006 21:06:22 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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