Operation Speeds

nebraska · Post by **nebraska** » Fri Mar 13, 2009 7:47 am

I have piece of aluminum and a piece of copper (both are 1.5" thick) that I need to drill 3/8" holes through. Can anyone tell me the recommended operation speeds for both materials?

I have never worked with these materials. Anything important I should know before I fire up the ShopSmith?

Thanks!

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Fri Mar 13, 2009 7:53 am

nebraska wrote:I have piece of aluminum and a piece of copper (both are 1.5" thick) that I need to drill 3/8" holes through. Can anyone tell me the recommended operation speeds for both materials?

I have never worked with these materials. Anything important I should know before I fire up the ShopSmith?

Thanks!

I think this might help:

http://www.ibiblio.org/twa/info/drillSpeedChart.pdf

nebraska · Post by **nebraska** » Fri Mar 13, 2009 11:55 am

Thanks! That, along with thiswill do it!

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Fri Mar 13, 2009 12:02 pm

dusty wrote:I think this might help:

http://www.ibiblio.org/twa/info/drillSpeedChart.pdf

THANK YOU DUSTY!:)

dicksterp · Post by **dicksterp** » Fri Mar 13, 2009 1:20 pm

nebraska wrote:I have piece of aluminum and a piece of copper (both are 1.5" thick) that I need to drill 3/8" holes through. Can anyone tell me the recommended operation speeds for both materials?

I have never worked with these materials. Anything important I should know before I fire up the ShopSmith?

Thanks!

I wouldn't place too much faith in the speed chart. It seems too fast for me. I would run aluminum at about 800-1000 and the copper at 700. Also, make sure you use a lubricant on parts. Kerosene is excellent for aluminum and a light oil (3in1) will work just fine.

When you drill the copper be very careful because the drill will grab badly if you don't take precautions. The main thing is you do not want to use a sharp drill. This is a recipe for an accident. What is recommended is to grind a small flat (approx. .015 to .020 high) on the lips of the drill. Make them the same size on both lips. You will have to resharpen the drill after you are done but you will be able to drill the holes safely. Also be sure to use a light oil for lubricant.

Good luck with your drilling and keep a change of underwear at hand:D when drilling the copper if you decide not to follow the recommendations. What can happen is the drill grabs, sucks part out of vice or spins part and vice, and breaks the drill:eek: . Trust me, been there, bought the shirt (40 plus years as a tool and die maker).

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Fri Mar 13, 2009 2:06 pm

MORAL: CLAMP the vice down!:eek:

nebraska · Post by **nebraska** » Fri Mar 13, 2009 2:54 pm

Thanks Dick- great info from a man who knows!

backhertz · Post by **backhertz** » Wed Sep 15, 2010 9:37 am

Is the PIC you are writing about, a microcontroller or is this something the new Shopsmith Mark 7 will do? <smile>