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Drilling Blanks

M

mallard

Full Member
Joined
Feb 20, 2018
Posts
63
Location
Bristol, UK
First Name
Ian
I am sure some of you guys with lots of experience look at some of these posts and think....." Not that question again !!!"

Sorry but I got to ask it again as I have ruined 3 blanks today. I tried drilling a 27/64 hole in resin for a Sierra pen and the holes werer so oversize and oval that I finally gave up. I have drilled them before and never had a problem but today it just didn't go to plan.
I see lots of previous posts about Brad point drills or normal drills and I guess that looks like it is down to each persons preference what they want to use.
I have a bench mounted pillar drill with a pen vice and never had this issue before.
I have checked that they are all in line and running straight and it all looks good.
Is there a preferred speed for drilling resin ?
Could that be a problem if I am drilling it at to high a speed ? :idontknow::idontknow:
 
flexi

flexi

Executive Member
Joined
Sep 12, 2014
Posts
6,457
Location
Maidstone
First Name
mark
I think the most common issues are caused by heat.... If the resin gets too hot it will warp.... So does timber!!
I use a bog std set of drills from machine mart.... But make sure their sharp! I use a fast speed but slow feed rate and clear chips frequently, if anything gets warm, I leave it a bit and come back. I learnt that drilling bullet heads and cases, they'll burn when hot..... I use the same method for wood, acrylic, corian, everything except those butter soft camouflage acrylics then I use the next size down first(generally they fit afterwards :funny:)
One other point to mention with wood is if you drill it.... Tube it same day..... Again sometimes certain species will move and you need to ream the hole or get your tube stuck:whistling::whistling:
 
Penpal

Penpal

Grand Master
Joined
May 26, 2013
Posts
25,342
Location
Canberra AUSTRALIA
First Name
Peter
Me too I use what you use for at least 25 yrs I never changed speeds drilling blanks but I am very careful with choosing drills ,the ones I favour have a drill point and followed by flat lands,do not drift or flap around I will look for a pic when I can,ps a great saver is to but kits of drills the cost for those larger drills alone can be a ikiller.


Peter.
 
A

AllenN

Fellow
Joined
May 20, 2013
Posts
2,245
Location
Lancaster, UK
First Name
Allen
I too find the Dewalt bits very good for acrylic. I like to centre drill first to try and ensure the bit starts true and then as said drill slowly to keep the heat down. Just one point check your drill chuck. A bit of swarf in there can prevent the bit from running true leading to oval holes.
 
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