How to Drill Through Stainless Steel Using the Right Drill Bit

Drilling through stainless steel is similar to drilling through any other type of metal, albeit with a few key differences. In this article, we explain how to drill in stainless steel using Guhring tools. For this purpose, using high-speed drill bits such as carbide drills or gun drills are preferable. But using the right kind of drill is simply the first step, you also have to have the skills and knowledge to successfully drill through stainless steel. One would already know that drilling through stainless steel is different from drilling mild steel, even though the basic technique is much the same. Here’s how to get those holes drilled without ruining your drill bits.

Before we begin with the procedure, it would help to first know what stainless steel actually is. Stainless steel is a metallic material which is noted for its purity. There is alloyed and unalloyed steel, but only the alloyed variant can be stainless.

Equipment you will need:

• A Drill Bit (of course!)
• Eye Protection Gear
• Ear Defenders or Ear Plugs
• Cutting Fluid which includes oils, oil-water emulsions, pastes, gels, etc
• Heavy Duct Tape
• A Marker Pen or 3 Corner Pyramid Punch
• Sturdy Clamp
• Felt or Plastic to protect the workpiece in the clamp.

Procedure to Drill Stainless Steel

1. Firstly, steer yourself clear of all loose and hanging items such as loose clothing, uncovered hair, or even gloves. You don’t want them to get stuck into the spinning drill.
2. Mark the position of the hole with a marker pen or tap a small indent with a 3-corner pyramid punch.
3. Use heavy-duty tape to mask the area around your mark to avoid the chips from scratching the surface as they spin
4. For drilling a metal less than 3mm thick, you can use a single bit to achieve the desired size hole. In the case of thicker metal, it is recommended to start with a bit half the size of the desired hole diameter for an initial hole and then step up to the final size drill for second drilling.
5. Secure the workpiece into position by firmly clamping it.
6. Put a few drops of lubricating oil into the depression you made with the center punch. Using cutting fluid will help to clear the swarf away from the drill bit to reduce the risk of becoming friction welded and reduces work hardening. Coolant can be sprayed, dripped, or flooded, but it is important to use a generous amount that ensures good contact between the fluid and the tool interface.
7. Put on your safety gear and hold your drill perpendicular to the bracket, insert the tip of the bit into the punched hole and begin to drill.
8. Once the hole has been made, do not immediately touch the bit or the hole as it will be hot enough to cause a serious burn. Wipe the coolant with care off the metal as the swarf held in the coolant may scratch the surface.

Choosing the Right Drill Bit

There are various types of Guhring drills bit and reamers suitable for drilling stainless steel. Choosing the right one for your task is what matters to get the best results.

• HSS or High-Speed-Steel bits are designed for use on stainless steel and can be used for hand and machine drilling. It is recommended to use an HSS bit that is TiN tipped as the Titanium Nitride reduces friction which in turn reduces work hardening caused by excessive heat and minimizes flank and crater wear.
• Carbide drills provide faster cutting rates, longer tool life, better positional and dimensional accuracy, and improved surface finish. Shorter cycle times and tighter tolerances translate into maximum machine utilization, better part quality and optimum hole making cost savings.

If you are looking for drills for stainless steel to do your job, MK industrial suppliers are the leading industrial tool supply provider of drills and other Guhring products like gun drills, taps, ball nose, end mill, reamers, counters, sinks, CBN tools, PCD tools, holders and Hydrogrips.