Trying to drill lightening holes through the Stainless Steel inner liners on my RAT 2 CF.

S

Sure Shot Rick

Joined
Feb 25, 2006
Messages
44
I am trying to drill lightening holes through the Stainless Steel liners on my RAT 2 CF. What kind of drill bits do I need I can not get any thing to go through.
 
Maybe tungsten coated bits? I usually use a Drexel cutting wheel on liners and diamond coated bits to clean it up but it won't look as clean as a pattern of holes
 
You don.t need special bits , use high pressure and slow RPM
 
I've used tungsten bits and cutting oil combined with slow speed and had very good results in the past.
 
Its hardened so you need a drill bit for metal. Use a punch and Start with a small bit. Then go to the size you want. Use a little oil and go slow.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mo2
Google Artu drill bits, i've used them to drill full hard M2 steel without problems.
You absolutely need a drill press though, freehanding will not work.
 
115Italian said:
Its hardened so you need a drill bit for metal. Use a punch and Start with a small bit. Then go to the size you want. Use a little oil and go slow.
Click to expand...
This ^
Also, not just any oil . . . use Cutting Oil made for machining steel.
To make the holes large ( beyond about 1/4 inch 6 mm) use a high quality UniBit. You can back it up with a thick piece of aluminum (or wood but make sure it isn't on fire when you leave your work area).
UniBits work better in sheet metal because they don't spiral and so won't screw its self into the thinish liner.
 
OK here are some photos :
The sheet metal strip with the same size round holds we will call "The Work" which is your liner.
I have a strip of aluminum in the photo because it was lying around and handy.

In any case you will want to start with a very small drill bit on the order of 1/16 (1.5mm) to easily get through the plate. Then maybe a bit in-between that and the 1/4.
Don't try to force the Unibit through the plate without a hole drilled with the smaller bits.
The tiny bits you can turn faster like 600 or even faster but the larger bits much slower so they don't heat up from the stainless steel.
IMG_5441.jpg

If using a drill press :
Some of this you may want to apply / make due when using your hand held drill. It will be much safer that way.
IMG_5436.JPG

The Good Solid Stop will keep the work from whizzing around like a propeller and knocking the crap out of you.
IMG_5438.JPG

The Optional Hold Down is optional with the UniBits but is a MUST if you try to drill the liner with normal spiral bits because the bit will screw into the work and lift the liner off the table (off the backing plate).
IMG_5437.JPG

These are various sizes and styles of UniBits.
IMG_5439.jpg
 
I was going to suggest a unibit and a drill press too! I am pretty sure I did a Rat 1 at some point and it was easy peasy. I used a cheapo Harbor Freight unibit and had no problems going slow and using some cutting oil. I thought I had some pics, but they seem to have vanished, oh well...
 
I've got to shape some liner edges and run some holes through, so THX! Wowbagger
 
Wowbagger said:
OK here are some photos :
The sheet metal strip with the same size round holds we will call "The Work" which is your liner.
I have a strip of aluminum in the photo because it was lying around and handy.

In any case you will want to start with a very small drill bit on the order of 1/16 (1.5mm) to easily get through the plate. Then maybe a bit in-between that and the 1/4.
Don't try to force the Unibit through the plate without a hole drilled with the smaller bits.
The tiny bits you can turn faster like 600 or even faster but the larger bits much slower so they don't heat up from the stainless steel.
View attachment 961078

If using a drill press :
Some of this you may want to apply / make due when using your hand held drill. It will be much safer that way.
View attachment 961086

The Good Solid Stop will keep the work from whizzing around like a propeller and knocking the crap out of you.
View attachment 961080

The Optional Hold Down is optional with the UniBits but is a MUST if you try to drill the liner with normal spiral bits because the bit will screw into the work and lift the liner off the table (off the backing plate).
View attachment 961081

These are various sizes and styles of UniBits.
View attachment 961079
Click to expand...
Except that you simple can not drill hardened steel with ordinary HSS or HSS-cobalt dril bits .............
 
kwackster said:
Google Artu drill bits, i've used them to drill full hard M2 steel without problems.
You absolutely need a drill press though, freehanding will not work.
Click to expand...

This ! The only way to drill in hard steel , or use full /very expensive/ carbide drill bits .
 
Natlek said:
Except that you simple can not drill hardened steel with ordinary HSS or HSS-cobalt dril bits
Click to expand...

He's not drilling the blade just the liners made from stainless. They might be a little heat treated for the liner lock but no big deal.
Right ?
 
No , obviously they are HT little more................ or I misunderstood his post ?

Sure Shot Rick said:
I am trying to drill lightening holes through the Stainless Steel liners on my RAT 2 CF. What kind of drill bits do I need I can not get any thing to go through.
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top