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Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: shmokes on August 10, 2008, 07:06:05 pm

Title: Drilling through diamond plate
Post by: shmokes on August 10, 2008, 07:06:05 pm

You know that stuff that owners of old jeeps put on the corners to cover up rust?  Well, I have a 1/8" thick sheet of it that I'm using for a component in my cab and I'll be damned if it isn't the hardest substance on earth.  I'm using a fairly decent corded drill and I just drill and drill and drill and barely make any progress.  Maybe I need to go pick up a cobalt bit or something.  I haven't even finished one hole yet and I need to make about 10 more. 

Title: Re: Drilling through diamond plate
Post by: somunny on August 10, 2008, 08:46:10 pm

Sounds like your bit is dull.  Go buy some good bits.  I would think high speed steel would be sufficient enough for what you're drilling but you may want to buy cobalt bits.  Also, I'd recommend marking each hole with a center punch before drilling (if you're not already).

edit:  Is it stainless diamond plate?  SS is not magnetic if you want to check.

Title: Re: Drilling through diamond plate
Post by: shmokes on August 10, 2008, 08:51:19 pm

Bit was dull.   :-[

After one and a half holes, which took an ungodly amount of time, the bit snapped.  So I popped in another identical bit (my bit set came with thee 1/8" bits) and in less time then the first one and a half I drilled the other nine and a half holes.   ;D  Live and learn.

Title: Re: Drilling through diamond plate
Post by: Blanka on August 11, 2008, 02:22:28 am

Next time make a .dwg and have it water-cut!