Big drill bits

[fatjay]

I'm looking for a set of good oversized drillbit, ¾, ⅞, 1", 1⅛, 1ï½¼,1⅜, 1ï½½. Amazon's got them up to 1" but the reviews aren't great and honestly that's the only place i shop aside from harbor freight and home depot. I'm drilling into ¾" 67 year old steel, the last time i did it, i burned through 2 drills and it took an hour. That was a $40 1" bit.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

I have one of the 1/2"-1" in 64ths that has drilled a lot of holes (all in a drill press or mag drill). It was in the $60 range 7 years ago. I have never seen a set of ones over 1". I buy individual ones as I need them. Up to 1/2" thick stock I use a hole saw or torch. You can spend a lot of money on good drill bits. I have a separate set of 1/16-1/2 in 64ths I use exclusively on the drill press.

Ron

 

[MF RED in MT]

I'm looking for a set of good oversized drillbit, ¾, ⅞, 1", 1⅛, 1ï½¼,1⅜, 1ï½½. Amazon's got them up to 1" but the reviews aren't great and honestly that's the only place i shop aside from harbor freight and home depot. I'm drilling into ¾" 67 year old steel, the last time i did it, i burned through 2 drills and it took an hour. That was a $40 1" bit.

I don't know how many holes you need to drill or if the holes need to be perfectly sized, but I usually use Milwaukee metal hole saws and the green stuff "West Lube" lubricant.

I use slow speeds, medium pressure, lots of the green stuff, and clear the spoils out of the hole as often as necessary while drilling.

I have 5/8" and 3/4" drill bits, and when I need that size hole, I always use a hole saw.

For me, the slightly larger hole that a hole saw makes is ok.

Good Luck, KC

 

[spitter]

depending on how perfect you need hole's plasma or torch is always faster .:drink:

 

[denchen]

I used to work in an agriculture implement factory, and the biggest conventional twist bit we had was a two and half inch. All the bigger ones were taper shaft `Blacksmith` Blacksmith to me means, the drive shaft is smaller than the actual cutting edges.

 

[DIYOrangeDave]

I am an experienced handy man that hasn’t used metal until I purchased my tractor. An early lesson was to use step bits when drilling holes in metal. Once I learn you can’t push your bit through metal everything is working well now. You can pick up step bits at a Canadian Tire almost every other sale for 70% off. The key is to use a 1/8” pilot hole.

 

[kennyd]

I tend to use hole saws for anything 3/4" and above.

Are you drilling free handed or with a press?

 

[fatjay]

I have a few big bits, but no one stocks them so they're all special order. Which means I have to wait for shipping. I have a metal hole saw bit i used once for a 1½" hole but it was a real bear.

I am buying a new bucket for my backhoe and pin sizes may not match, but I don't know what I need yet. I will likely pick up the bucket this weekend, then I'll have to wait for bits to drill, I was just thinking it would be nice to have a few standard sizes on hand.

 

[oosik]

After spending $40+ for one drill bit over 1" - I went to hole saws. Clamp the work well - hole saw and my Milwaukee Hole Hog. Hold the side handle on the "up wind" side or be prepared for some serious shin bumps if the hole saw binds. I really prefer the drill press if the work will fit.

I keep the operation lubed with chain saw oil.

 

[Diggin It]

I'm thinking this is 'tools' rather than 'attachments', but .....

I'll go along with start small and work up, step bit or not. 1/2" bits are lest costly. Use them for pilot holes, then progress to 3/4" or whatever.

 

[fatjay]

I looked for a tools section first, but didn't see it, so I figured this would be the next best place.

I alawys have a pilot hole between 1/8 and 1/4, but when you're going through an inch of old steel by hand, it's hard going no matter what you do.

 

[Diggin It]

By hand makes my wrists hurt. I'm always concerned with the drill hanging and making pretzels out of wrists. Size like that really needs to be done with a drill press if possible, which it isn't always.

 

[radios1]

here's one that will last. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Drill-A...ll-Bit-with-1-2-in-Shank-DWDCO1-1-2/308301051 make sure the rotational speed is 50 FPM or less, and it will last.. you'll get a much cleaner hole with this than with a hole saw!!.. you want the smoothest hole possible if it's used as a hole for a rotating part, since a rough hole will wear faster!.. BTW, RPM=FPM/(dia*.262)

 

[JohnnyMX]

Just did 1" in 1/2" steel. Got a high-moly Drill Hog bit and it cost around 25$. It was the size needed for a Cat1 pin so I figured I'd re-use that one and bought it off Amazon. I havent' tried the hole saw approach myself yet, but at the cost I imagine they are going to be a cheaper alternative. I went with the hi-moly bit, lube and a did it in a drill press set to as low as I could go (400rpm) I drilled a pilot 1/8", stepped up to a 1/2" and then just bored it out. Your hole is bigger and by the time you step it out it seems like you are "milling" the material.

 

[repete]

After being abused by a "Hole hog" drill I bought one of these. At low speed it has a break away clutch that saves you from the reaction if there is a bind. I use 3 9/16" self feed bits and if one of these hangs up and you are on a ladder you will truly appreciate this drill when it makes the clicking noise and you are still on the ladder.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000071NY...MIyNDk287n5gIVlRx9Ch0hRgdMEAAYASAAEgJ6i_D_BwE

 

[metalbender]

I have an old Cole drill. Not really practical in this day of power tools. Surprising how easy it is to drill a 3/4 inch hole in 1/2 steel material. Note I said easy, not fast. Interesting piece of kit for the shop.

 

[radios1]

to figure out the proper speed, use RPM=FPM/(dia*.262) use 50 FPM for steel.

 

[TimberHole]

I use annular cutters for big holes. You can buy an adapter for that style of cutter that goes in a 1/2" twist drill. If you are looking for some cheap big drill bits call Airparts in Merriam, KS. They are a family business and nice people. I know they have a good assortment of used bits but I don't remember how big. I assume many of those larger twist drill bits will come with a tapered shaft.

 

[LD1]

50FPM really only works well IF you can apply appropriate pressure. Which is usually hard to do when drilling by hand and you end up burning bits up.

Problem with hand drills is most of them spin WAY too fast for anything much over 3/4".

And if you want to constantly bind up and break a wrist and ruin bits.....then go ahead and slowly step up sizes. If you dont, then drill a pilot hole just larger than the web of the bit (usually ~1/4") and then go straight to size.

There is nothing worse than trying to drill a hole slightly larger than it already is. Which "may" be what you are in for anyway with trying to modify a bucket to fit your machine.

IF the new hole is to be a precise as possible and have a pin rotating in it, drill it 1/32 or 1/64 undersized and use a reamer.

GOOD bits are expensive. But a good bit will last the average person a lifetime if they simply know how to sharpen. Hertel black oxide bits are at the lower end of what I would consider good quality. CL, Cleveland, and PTD are more expensive, also all good.

Places like fastenal should stock larger bits

 

[Sawyer Rob]

After being abused by a "Hole hog" drill I bought one of these. At low speed it has a break away clutch that saves you from the reaction if there is a bind.

I have the original version of that drill,

It's from the B&D Professional line of tools, made by Elu. Elu made some of the BEST power tools ever made, not sure who makes the current line?

I bought mine, after blowing the tranny on a Milwaukee Hole Hawg, and going on the job having a plumber telling me he had two Hole Hawgs with blown trannys on his bench in his shop.

My industrial tool dealer, told me the Elu was a MUCH better drill, so I bought one, and that was back on in the early 80's, I have nothing but good things to say about this drill.

For bigger holes, I try to use a drill press as much as possible,

but I realize that's not always possible. Also, when drilling, get your self a can of "Tap Magic", that stull really is magic!! Step drilling and Tap Magic IS the way to go!!

SR