Drilling copper

[Bob PerkinsParticipant @bobperkins67044]

I need to drill quite a few 0.8mm holes around a 70mm 2 3/4" 16 swg copper tube. Any advice on speed, coolant drill type welcome.

Thanks

Bob..

[Bob PerkinsParticipant @bobperkins67044]

[JohnFParticipant @johnf59703]

Hi Bob, Buy a new pack of HIGH QUALITY HSS drills — don't economise buy a top brand e.g. dormer or similar. Speed— probably as high as you have on your machine but not knowing what machine you have I may be wrong?

For lubricant I would use suds if you have it if not soapy water works well but clean and oil your machine after.

Another one I have read about but never tried since I read it is milk — might be worth a try.

Good luck John

[julian atkinsParticipant @julianatkins58923]

gosh 0.8mm is small! i would be inclined to use a smaller drill first, and deburr on the inside after, then drill through 0.8mm. i use WD-40 or similar (paraffin alternatively) for drilling copper. there is an ideal drill angle for copper, but you wont be able to do that for a drill of that size by way of re-grinding. not too fast.. not as fast as say drilling brass that size.

good luck!

cheers,

julian

[DMBParticipant @dmb]

If you use milk, you need to have a good clean up – nice to drink cold but out of date, rank + stinking!

I think even a small amount left on machine will probably stink.

I have used (not for copper) excess oil drained from tinned sardines but that goes very smelly fishy pong. Live + learn!

good luck,

John

[Clive HartlandParticipant @clivehartland94829]

Lard is good, will be easy to clean off as well.

Clive

[Bob PerkinsParticipant @bobperkins67044]

Would a two flute end mill or PCB type drill with a larger shank be more suitable?

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