Welcome! Please use the navigational links to explore our website.
PartsASAP LogoCompany Logo Auction Link (800) 853-2651

Shop Now

   Allis Chalmers Case Farmall IH Ford 8N,9N,2N Ford
   Ferguson John Deere Massey Ferguson Minn. Moline Oliver

Ford 9N, 2N & 8N Discussion Forum
:

OT: Need Help Drilling Holes in 1/2 Steel

Welcome Guest, Log in or Register
Author 
Arthur Brestlin

02-12-2004 13:02:58




Report to Moderator

I want to add two suitcase weights to the frame of my 7' rear blade. It is fabricated from 1/2"x4" steel which is the perfect size to hang the weights from. I need to drill two 7/16" holes on 4" centers to hold the weights in place or icy chunks of white stuff can jar them loose (argh)! The holes are to mount a pair of carriage bolts which would not allow the weights to bounce off the frame. I have been drilling for what seems to be 2 hours, and I am no more that 1/8" deep! Why so difficult? Are there any tricks to speed up the progress? It is very cold (18*) here. I thought about warming up the steel with a torch and possibly using a cutting oil, but so far have not tried either. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

[Log in to Reply]   [No Email]
John in MI

02-13-2004 10:59:53




Report to Moderator
 Re: OT: Need Help Drilling Holes in 1/2 Steel in reply to Arthur Brestlin, 02-12-2004 13:02:58  
The best way to drill it is with a cutting torch and not a drill.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Bill in WI

02-13-2004 04:06:33




Report to Moderator
 Re: OT: Need Help Drilling Holes in 1/2 Steel in reply to Arthur Brestlin, 02-12-2004 13:02:58  
A number of good points already mentioned. To reiterate: Yes, start with a pilot hole, do not take it all the way through. Sharp bits are a must. Absolutely MUST use some kind of lube / cutting oil. Type of material is a big factor. Which brings me to my point: some materials are work hardening, which means the longer you keep working it with that drill bit, the harder it would get. The heat generated by rubbing a drill bit in there is a major contributor to this as well. If possible, move to a new location and try the pilot hole. If you can not get the pilot hole in, you’ll never get the 7/16” hole in.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
souNdguy

02-12-2004 20:59:56




Report to Moderator
 Re: OT: Need Help Drilling Holes in 1/2 Steel in reply to Arthur Brestlin, 02-12-2004 13:02:58  
If you had a drill press you could use an endmill, and cutting oil.

If I had a drill press and no endmill.. a carbide bit may do it. I would give up on trying to handdrill 1/2 plate.... Would be easier to torch a hole, and/or weld a nut to it and just screw into that.

Good luck

Soundguy



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
GET YA

02-12-2004 19:56:37




Report to Moderator
 Re: OT: Need Help Drilling Holes in 1/2 Steel in reply to Arthur Brestlin, 02-12-2004 13:02:58  
Some COBALT drill bits and a nice 1/2 drill and drill away or should vice this up on drill press
BOB



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
PloughNman

02-12-2004 17:50:13




Report to Moderator
 Re: OT: Need Help Drilling Holes in 1/2 Steel in reply to Arthur Brestlin, 02-12-2004 13:02:58  
Hi Arthur-
Is the drill reversable? Is it rotating the correct way (clockwise)? LOL

If the blade is made of structural steel, forget trying to drill it-it won't. Usually industrial blades are made tough, high carbon, heat treated, quenched, and tempered. Cheaper low-carbon steel blades may be machined if you try a carbide drill. But, you won't do it with a hand drill- it doesn't have the ponies [horsepower] to handle the job. A machine shop with a Bridegport or similar machine might work. Save your high speed steel drills for your lighter projects. HTH

Tim "PloughNman" Daley

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
old

02-12-2004 15:53:10




Report to Moderator
 Re: OT: Need Help Drilling Holes in 1/2 Steel in reply to Arthur Brestlin, 02-12-2004 13:02:58  
Heres and idea, its how we drilled holes in truck frames, You use a piece of chain and hook it around the drill and what you are drilling and by turning the drill you tighten up the chain and putting more force on the bit. Can be a little unsafe and you need to turn the drill so if it locks in the hole it turns its self loose not tighter



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Dell (WA)

02-12-2004 15:12:48




Report to Moderator
 Re: OT: Need Help Drilling Holes in 1/2 Steel in reply to Arthur Brestlin, 02-12-2004 13:02:58  
Art..... ...sharp drill bits, cutting oil, (plumbers pipe thread oil), 1/8" pilot hole (not all the way thru so the oil doesn't leak out), appropriate cutting speed (large hole = slooooww), steady pressure. Most people don't have the wrist strength to hand drill large holes in hard substances.

While it might seem that stepped up sized hole drilling would be the way to go, its NOT. The major cutting function of a drill is the whole width of the face of the bit. When you try to enlarge from 1/4 to 5/16, yer only cutting with the outter 1/32" of the drillbitt edge. It will get hot and dull innna instant.

Actually, the best bett, would be to haul your part that needs drilling into a real machineshop where they have a drillpress. Probably costya $10. (less than good sharp drillbitt). Oh yeah, carrage bolts arn't that strong, they're grade 2..... ...Dell

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Steve(OR)

02-12-2004 13:57:24




Report to Moderator
 Re: OT: Need Help Drilling Holes in 1/2 Steel in reply to Arthur Brestlin, 02-12-2004 13:02:58  
As long as we are talking about dull bits - has anyone tried a Drill Doctor - a drill sharpening device that provides a complex built in oscillating motion to correctly shape the cutting edge.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
DON TX

02-12-2004 14:14:21




Report to Moderator
 Re: Re: OT: Need Help Drilling Holes in 1/2 Steel in reply to Steve(OR), 02-12-2004 13:57:24  
I've got one. It is easy and very accurate. It will sharpen most types of drill bits.HTH
DON TX



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Gaspump

02-12-2004 13:16:27




Report to Moderator
 Re: OT: Need Help Drilling Holes in 1/2 Steel in reply to Arthur Brestlin, 02-12-2004 13:02:58  
Depends on the condition or quality of the drill bit as well as the tensile strength and/or hardness of the steel. If the cutting edges are blue or smooth it needs to be re-sharpened or replaced. If you must drill the holes just pick up a cobalt drill from a hardware supplier, use light pressure and cooling oil and it will drill the holes for you. Do not get any drill bit too hot!



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Willy-N

02-12-2004 13:11:26




Report to Moderator
 Re: OT: Need Help Drilling Holes in 1/2 Steel in reply to Arthur Brestlin, 02-12-2004 13:02:58  
Like Jeff said if it is mild steel put a piolet hole first you can't drill with that big a bit by hand with out one. Mark H.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Willy-N

02-12-2004 13:08:23




Report to Moderator
 Re: OT: Need Help Drilling Holes in 1/2 Steel in reply to Arthur Brestlin, 02-12-2004 13:02:58  
What you may be drilling thru is a cutting edge and they are harden steel. I would torch them in if it is and grind them round with a die cutter. Mark H.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
jeff

02-12-2004 13:06:11




Report to Moderator
 Re: OT: Need Help Drilling Holes in 1/2 Steel in reply to Arthur Brestlin, 02-12-2004 13:02:58  
First, you may have a dull bit. Either find a way to start with a sharp bit or, buy some new ones.

If you need to drill a rather large hole such as a 7/16" diameter, you need to drill a pilot hole....then maybe a 3/16" then 5/16" then a 7/16" bit to finish it out..... keeping the bit cool will be better than heating the metal.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
[Options]  [Printer Friendly]  [Posting Help]  [Return to Forum]   [Log in to Reply]

Hop to:


TRACTOR PARTS TRACTOR MANUALS
We sell tractor parts!  We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]

Home  |  Forums


Copyright © 1997-2023 Yesterday's Tractor Co.

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy

TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters

Website Accessibility Policy