Recommend a good quality large size drill bit set

[BigBlue1]

Somebody above mentioned Champion hole cutters. You should give that a careful look. They are not just "hole saws". I use them too. They are excellent for what you seem to want to do. Accurately sized round holes with your drill press or hand held if need be.

CT7 5 Piece General Maintenance Hole Cutter Set

Thanks. That link didn't work for me but I found them on Amazon and eBay. They look good but expensive. Will keep them in mind.

Rob

 

[BigBlue1]

Speeds and Feeds Calculator - Good Calculators

Thanks!

 

[abunchofidiots]

I have had good luck with annular cutters in that size range. Amazon for $200 Steel Dragon Tools 13pc. Tungsten Carbide Tipped Annular Cutter Kit 1-3/8" Depth and 1/2 in. to 1-1/16 in.

 

[BigBlue1]

I have had good luck with annular cutters in that size range. Amazon for $200 Steel Dragon Tools 13pc. Tungsten Carbide Tipped Annular Cutter Kit 1-3/8" Depth and 1/2 in. to 1-1/16 in.

Does your drill press accommodate the 3/4" shafts on those annular cutters? Or do you have a mill or something else? My drill press arbor maxes out at 5/8" I think.

Rob

 

[Big Barn]

IF you wanted to use annular cutters in your drill press you will need a 3/4” Weldon adapter to fit your drill press spindle.





If necessary your DP RPMs could be reduced by adding a jackshaft assembly.






Personally I would consider the Champion cutters others have mentioned.

 

[ArlyA]

IF you wanted to use annular cutters in your drill press you will need a 3/4” Weldon adapter to fit your drill press spindle.

If necessary your DP RPMs could be reduced by adding a jackshaft assembly. .

There was a company in the US who built kits so we could add a jackshaft to our lame HS drill presses. Seems they are now gone and my drill is still to fast. :laughing:

 

[ArlyA]

double post! :laughing:

 

[downsizingnow48]

There is a seller on ebay that offers an intermediate pulley kit.

 

[Big Barn]

At the time I would have purchased it from the eBay seller but as usual with shipping to Canada, the horrible exchange rate PLUS the Provincial sales tax and GST that customs dings me when it crosses the border... I decided to buy the parts and make it myself.

 

[denchen]

Many years ago I worked in a factory making agriculture machinery. In the machine shop there was four big radial drills. The biggest hole we used to bore was 2 1/4 inch. I guess the speed was about 45 rpm. We used a constant flow of accolade oil and water for cooling, when mixed this was like thin milk. Our big drills would put a lot of pressure on the bit, but the secret was to keep a continuous strand of swarf coming off if you could, then you know you had the settings about right. I used to sharpen in the factory simply holding the drill to a fine grind stone. It comes with practice, getting the angle right and getting a cutting leading edge to the drill. You stated you use a 3/8 pilot hole to drill a one inch hole. I think this size hole is a bit too big. Try a pilot drill about the same size as the chisel lead of the drill bit. Plenty of pressure, cool with something will help and lubricate. Things have moved on and we sometimes started to punch holes. Circular cutters have improved. To keep an edge on my bits today, I use a cheapo diamond file, again it takes a little practice but I only use normal quality drills for every day cutting although there is some specials in the cupboard should I get a hard piece of work.

 

[BigBlue1]

IF you wanted to use annular cutters in your drill press you will need a 3/4 Weldon adapter to fit your drill press spindle.


View attachment 647620
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How does that adapter work? At first I thought it was something you put in your drill press chuck that would allow you to insert a weldon shank but after looking closer that doesn't seem to be the case. The shaft is tapered and has a square end. Do you have to remove the standard chuck from the press and swap to this? How hard is that?

Rob

 

[downsizingnow48]

Someone added a jackshaft to this 70 year old 1/2" Duro press. Makes the chuck speed 300 rpm. I've used it to drill 1" holes with a Champion hole cutter. Slower would be better.

 

[ArlyA]

There is a seller on ebay that offers an intermediate pulley kit.

I searched for them on EBay using many different verbiages and came up with none. What are the jack shaft kits call on EB? A Link? Thanks! Here is one company offering them.

 

[downsizingnow48]

I also use this Jancy annular cutter set with a Jancy drill press adapter. 1/2" to 1-1/16". Works good but your drill press quill needs to be tight.

 

[downsizingnow48]

Here is the ebay seller I was thinking of.

Walker Turner Delta Rockwell Atlas Craftsman Drill Press Slow Speed Assembly | eBay

 

[Big Barn]

How does that adapter work? At first I thought it was something you put in your drill press chuck that would allow you to insert a weldon shank but after looking closer that doesn't seem to be the case. The shaft is tapered and has a square end. Do you have to remove the standard chuck from the press and swap to this? How hard is that?

Rob

Rob. You will first need to know the spindle taper on your DP. And then find an adapter to match.

And yes the standard chuck is replaced.

The DP in my previous photo with my homemade reduction has a low speed of 300 RPM iirc. I have a cheap digital tachometer to check machine rpms. eBay. Numerous. Cheap. Free shipping.

This is an option, but personally I don’t think it is the best one for you based on info gleaned from your posts.

 

[dragoneggs]

I don't have a ton of metal drilling experience but I do much better with annular cutters than twist for larger than 1/2in. You are cutting into significantly less metal making your drill press not work so hard, and it keeps the heat down as well.

 

[BigBlue1]

I also use this Jancy annular cutter set with a Jancy drill press adapter. 1/2" to 1-1/16". Works good but your drill press quill needs to be tight.

Those look great. But man all this high-capability machining stuff is expensive! I guess that's the cost of having tools that actually work well.

Rob

 

[downsizingnow48]

I think your best bet is to get the Champion hole cutter in the size you want. Because it has a pilot bit, it will not wander in a drill press. And like DE says it removes less metal that a equivalent twist drill so can be done with a garden variety drill press rather than a big industrial setup. Buying one at a time does not hurt too much.

 

[Big Barn]

Cutters like these are especially designed for drill press capabilities.




As downsized mentioned a rigid setup is paramount for using these cutters.