Drilling Stainless Steel – What You Need to Consider
Many DIY enthusiasts have considerable respect for stainless steel and hesitate to work with this metal. Respect is certainly appropriate, we will not deny that, but there is no need to avoid the material. A hole in stainless steel is not difficult to create if you use the right tools and pay attention to a few important points.
Stainless steels include a whole range of steels with or without alloying elements and with a particularly high purity, which have high hardness and are difficult to machine. Creating a precise drilled hole in this material requires a bit of finesse and the right know-how. At least with the know-how we are happy to help – and you will manage the finesse as well. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about drilling a hole in stainless steel.
Is an HSS drill sufficient or do you need HSS-E?
When drilling stainless steel, it is important to use the right technique and the right tool. Both factors are crucial, so you should not compromise when choosing the drill bit. Standard steel or masonry drill bits should not be used for stainless steel because they overheat quickly and become dull. As a result, the hole either cannot be drilled at all or only with significant defects. HSSE drill bits contain cobalt and provide higher temperature resistance and longer tool life. They are ideal for drilling stainless steel and are always a worthwhile investment.
Step-by-step instructions for drilling stainless steel
To drill stainless steel, you need a drill or a cordless drill driver with adjustable speed. This point is particularly important. The process is easier with a drill press, but depending on the situation and available equipment, it also works with a handheld tool.
Start by marking the spot where you want to drill and center punching it. A center punch is used to create a small indentation to mark the drilling point and prevent the drill bit from slipping.
Next, it is important to firmly clamp the workpiece while drilling to prevent it from moving. After that, determine the cutting speed. The rotational speed (rpm) when drilling stainless steel should be lower than with other materials and must be adjusted to the drill diameter. The best approach is to check a speed chart.
Then you can begin. Position the tool and start the drilling process. The use of a coolant lubricant is essential at this stage to reduce friction and extend the life of the drill bit.
A small tip: Before working on an expensive component, perform a test drilling to practice the technique.
Common mistakes when drilling stainless steel
When drilling stainless steel, problems often occur that are caused by the same factors. Pay attention to these three points and machining stainless steel will work like a professional.
No or insufficient coolant
The use of a coolant lubricant is essential when drilling stainless steel to minimize friction and reduce the temperature. Do not be sparing with it and keep the lubricant within reach while working so that you can reapply it whenever necessary.
Speed is too high
In general, when drilling, the speed and the feed rate must be adapted to the drill diameter and the material. Guesswork is not recommended here, especially if you have little experience with stainless steel. Be sure to consult a speed chart or use a speed calculator.
Workpiece is not securely clamped
The workpiece should be securely fixed, ideally with a clamp, to prevent slipping. This not only helps ensure a successful drilling process but is also essential for your safety.
Threads in stainless steel – also possible with the right tools
While we are discussing this topic, we should also briefly talk about our favorite subject – thread tapping. Once the hole is drilled in stainless steel, can you create an internal thread? Absolutely. Here as well, the properties of the tool are crucial for a successful result. And when it comes to that, BAER is exactly the right place for you.
Twist drills and taps for stainless steel in the BAER online shop
In the BAER online shop, we offer an extensive range of twist drills and taps that make drilling and thread cutting in stainless steel almost effortless. For example, our TurboCentrix twist drill set is a versatile solution suitable for almost all materials. Thanks to the practical stepped point, you can even skip center punching. Our HSSE Power drills and HSSE Extreme drills are also perfectly suited for drilling stainless steel.
Our threading tools range also leaves nothing to be desired when working with this tough metal. Whether hand taps, machine taps for blind holes or through holes, or dies for external threads, you will certainly find the right tool with us. Simply select “Stainless steel” as the application in our Toolfinder to see all suitable tools.
If you want to be prepared for every situation, take a look at our complete set for stainless steel. It includes twist drills, hand taps, dies, and all necessary holding tools in a practical case and is available in three sizes: M3 to M12, M3 to M20, and M3 to M24. With this equipment, stainless steel should no longer be intimidating.
Do you have a question about drilling stainless steel that we have not yet answered, or are you looking for more product information? Our customer service is always here to help. Contact us by phone or easily via our contact form.