Drill recommendation for drilling stainless steel?

[superstock]

Roger regarding the cutting oil. One thing I noticed about the olive oil was that being quite runny for lack of a better term, it was difficult to keep a good volume of it in the right place, especially on the curved surface of the pot. Something a bit more viscous would probably be advantageous.

Try the Trefolex. It's a paste.

 

[Ducatiboy stu]

A tin of trefolex would last the average person about 200yrs

 

[antiphile]

I've never tried it, and I'm one of those idiots who'd happily go to buy a skyhook or a can of striped paint on request, but I was once told drops of dishwashing detergent can be used as a lubricant for drilling metal too. But that could be because I don't only look stupid.

 

[Ducatiboy stu]

Dishwashing liqiud works.

I know this from experience B)

 

[MitchD]

A tin of trefolex would last the average person about 200yrs

Or a person working in the lift industry about 6 months. We use the 3.2mm double end drills and they are light years ahead of the Sutton blue bullet. I think its to do with the angle the tip was cut at.

 

[husky]

For me the formula is:
Cobalt drill bit. Non negotiable
Cutting compound. If its a big hole or a ole saw add some as you're drilling as well
Low speed setting on the drill
Once you start a hole don't stop. Stainless steel hardens if you heat it so get it done in one go. Any second attempt will be more difficult.

 

[rude]

Apparently trefolex when the fumes are inhaled is carcinogenic excuse the spelling
On its own its ok & you don't wont to make it smoke for ss it would be getting too hot then
Just thought I'de let people know

 

[Fylp]

I start with a punch to mark the spot, then hit it with a cheapie eBay hole saw made for SS. A friend of a friend is a metal worker and said to stop when you see smoke and hit it with more oil. The fella at LHBS says the guy who does theirs uses a regular hole saw and just takes it slow.

Good luck

 

[Danscraftbeer]

Can always widen and finish the hole with a dremil. But then you need a dremil ha

 

[booargy]

Put the hose on it. Most of the time if you see smoke the bit is roo ted.
This was drilled with no cutting compound on a pedestal drill.

 

[Camo6]

And for drilling curved surfaces without the aid of a cutting compound paste you could always make a well around the area with blutak to hold oil or similar.

 

[welly2]

I've had to drill a couple of holes and I've got to say, either my drilling technique is crap (most likely) or something else but it's been serious work to get even a starting hole through the bloody things. Once I've got that done, the step bit has been fine but just getting that initial hole, even with a cobalt bit, has been a massive pain in the hole.

 

[purple-lazy]

Thanks for all the feedback and advice guys. There's been some great stuff here, and I'm taking note of it all. Hopefully it'll make the difference.

 

[Benn]

Water + dishwashing liquid +2 Stroke oil (probly any oil will be fine) ...or just pop down to the shops if they're close handy and pick up some cutting compound as mentioned above.