"Regular" Drill Bits in a CNC

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    Member Tomcat104's Avatar
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    Default "Regular" Drill Bits in a CNC

    Have an odd question; can i use regular drill bits in my cnc router? drill bits

    I have a need, for the first time to drill 3 holes in 1" aluminum and my router will not cut round holes in the aluminum. So.......I wondered if I could slow my router down to 400 - 500 rpm and use regular Craftsman Carbide Drill bit?

    I need some experience here please.

    I have read many a bit mfg's advice against using regular drills and how much better off I would be BUYING their drill bits. I just wonder if they don't have a anterior agenda???

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    Community Moderator Jim Dawson's Avatar
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    Default Re: "Regular" Drill Bits in a CNC

    If you are talking about carbide masonry drill bits, no, not the right geometry for that type of work. That is not to say that they can't be used in metal, just not in that application, they do have a use in removing broken taps/drill bits and drilling hard metal, but manually. The other problem is getting a router spindle down to 500 RPM is going to be next to impossible unless you have a very special spindle.

    I would spot the holes with a v-bit, or anything you have that would make a good ''center punch'' type divot. The drill the holes to size on a drill press.

    Jim Dawson
    Sandy, Oregon, USA


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    Member Tomcat104's Avatar
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    Default Re: "Regular" Drill Bits in a CNC

    Thanks Jim, I knew that was the "right" answer when I asked.

    I am disabled from a massive stroke and walk (barely) with a cane. I have a drill press in my work shop but it's in the back yard and it has rained here for over a week and is supposed to rain every day here until next weekend. Guess I'm gonna have to get "mud tires" for my cane.

    Thanks for the reply.



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    Member ger21's Avatar
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    Default Re: "Regular" Drill Bits in a CNC

    How much power does your spindle have, and how slow will it go? That's the determining factor.
    If you can get your spindle down to 8000rpm, then you can use a 1/8" bit, and maybe 1/4". If you drill with the 1/8", and then follow with a 1/4" bit, you should be OK. Peck drill with shallow pecks

    Anything larger than that, and your rpm will be too high, and you likely won't have enough spindle power.

    Gerry

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    Default Re: "Regular" Drill Bits in a CNC

    Spindle will go down to 720RPM. It is a 2.2kw Chinese spindle.

    I need to drill 10 holes, 5 of which are are 0.15625", 4 at 3/8" and 1 at .5". Do you think I should stay at 8000RPM for the smaller ones or should I slow the spindle down? And, what if I first did the .5" hole at .25" first?

    I'm going to try to find a way to my drill press first but peck drilling on the CNC is my back-up plan.



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    Member ger21's Avatar
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    Default Re: "Regular" Drill Bits in a CNC

    I would not run that spindle below 6000 rpm, if you don't want to fry it.
    And I wouldn't try to drill larger than 1/4" either.
    I'd drill 1/8" holes on the CNC, and then use them as starter holes at the drill press. They don't need to be very deep.
    That's what I do.

    Gerry

    UCCNC 2017 Screenset
    [URL]http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2017.html[/URL]

    Mach3 2010 Screenset
    [URL]http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html[/URL]

    JointCAM - CNC Dovetails & Box Joints
    [URL]http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html[/URL]

    (Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)


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    Member Tomcat104's Avatar
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    Default Re: "Regular" Drill Bits in a CNC

    Thanks for your reply. I'm just going to wait until I have access to the drill press.

    I've already used a punch to make some "starter" holes.

    Thanks again. I really don't want to damage my spindle.



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    Default Re: "Regular" Drill Bits in a CNC

    Stub drills are safer as well. They don't wander like ordinary jobber drills. And slightly bent jobber drills are utterly useless in a CNC!

    Cheers
    Roger



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    Default Re: "Regular" Drill Bits in a CNC

    Yes, I use short length bits. I get them from McMaster-Carr.

    Gerry

    UCCNC 2017 Screenset
    [URL]http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2017.html[/URL]

    Mach3 2010 Screenset
    [URL]http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html[/URL]

    JointCAM - CNC Dovetails & Box Joints
    [URL]http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html[/URL]

    (Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)


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    Default Re: "Regular" Drill Bits in a CNC

    Thank you.

    I wondered if Stub Drills would make a difference.



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    Default Re: "Regular" Drill Bits in a CNC

    I buy Chinese cutters from selected sources (Carbide Chiu), but I buy Swedish Dormer stub drills.

    Cheers
    Roger



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