I need help drilling some holes

[ILuvtheMountains]

I am building my new rear bumper and broke a few drill bits trying to make 5/8" holes in 1/4" thick mild steel. There are 10 holes in total: 1 that just needs finishing (probably 7/16 right now), five that need to be started and 4 more that have pilot holes started. I was using a combination of standard and step drill bits and broke a few. I really need a drill press, but I have no money for equipment like that at the moment. I called up a couple fab shops and they quoted me $80/hr and said that it would take an hour. The rate is reasonable, but I doubt it will take that long. Just wondering if there is anyone up north in FoCo or Loveland that would be able to help me out. I can pay or buy beer or figure something out. THis is just a minor hangup that is unfortunately holding up the program right now.
Here is a link to the job so far:
http://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums/showthread.php?18638-The-Mountain-Man-Limousine&p=262057#post262057

[Java]

I just ran into similar problems while building my trailer. I've never done anything like it with metal before, most of my projects that have involved drilling have been wood, just some little stuff on vehicles before this, so I had a learning curve that cost me about $40.00 in trashed bits. I posted a thread about it here and got great advice: slow is the key. I have a drill press but I've had much better results with a 1/2" hand drill, I can slow it down much more. As soon as you go fast you heat up the bit, it dulls and stops cutting. I found for me that the 1/4" pilot bit that came with my hole saw does the best job of making pilot holes, go figure. I use a punch and hammer to start it, no bit skip that way. Then I've done up to 9/16" in that hole, so slow the bit looks like it's peeling the inside of the hole out, too slow to even have a steady speed. If you look at the welding videos thread I posted there is a guy who sharpens stuff for a living that has a drill bit sharpening tutorial that was very useful for me, fwiw.

I think you can do it with the right technique, but I'm also willing to help. I'm in Denver, not sure if that's useful...

[Chris]

so slow the bit looks like it's peeling the inside of the hole out

Exactly, slow and steady and a real sharp, high quality drill bit in a variable speed drill.

[ILuvtheMountains]

I only have a 3/8 corded hand drill. Will ask relatives to see if anyone has a bigger one and go buy new bits and cutting lube. Hopefully I get some better results. Thanks guys!

[Brucker]

Couple things. First off the quotes you received aren't bad, but are you sure they aren't shop minimums? That should probably take about 25-30 minutes from scratch including layout. A lot of shops have 1 hour minimums. Our shop minimum is a half hour. And if you still need help, that is what I would charge you. Let me know if we can help.

Second, I have at least a couple used 1/2" drills still from my last fab shop buyout if you need one cheap. They all work but are in various conditions and am fairly sure none have the chuck key (easily bought at HD or Lowes for under $5). Let you have one for $25 if it would help you accomplish what you needed done. Should save you a TON over buying one new.

Let me know by PM if I can be of any help.

[ILuvtheMountains]

I would definitely take one of those off your hands, that would surely help! Are you saying that you also would charge $80? Even if I have it marked and half of the holes have small pilot holes. I can understand the shop minimum and the rate, though. I am just trying to save some money by building myself. But a new tool is always worth it. Are you ever up north?

[Brucker]

I would definitely take one of those off your hands, that would surely help! Are you saying that you also would charge $80? Even if I have it marked and half of the holes have small pilot holes. I can understand the shop minimum and the rate, though. I am just trying to save some money by building myself. But a new tool is always worth it. Are you ever up north?

Our shop rate is $80/hr with a half hour min. So I was saying I would charge $40 max.

The drills should be around as I don't have them posted anywhere anymore. Sold the majority and the rest are on the shelf as spares for when I burn any of mine up. Just let me know when you want to pick one up.

As for being up north, I live and work in Longmont and go to Ft Collins/Loveland/Windsor quite a bit but mostly for work. Wouldn't count on me to deliver anything though, sorry. Usually running from one job site to another with no spare time.

[ILuvtheMountains]

Sounds good. I will get ahold of you hopefully this weekend. Are you M-F at the shop?

[JeepWrench]

drill press is less than 80 at harbor freight and i have been using mine for 5yrs at least weekly

[The StRanger]

If this is a one time thing, Id go with Brucker. If your going to do more get a half in from him or pick up a press.
They are worth the money spent !!

[Brucker]

Sounds good. I will get ahold of you hopefully this weekend. Are you M-F at the shop?

We only schedule appointments for Monday-Friday's. Though between being as busy as we seem to always be and having the shop on the same property as my house, I tend to work 24/7. Out of respect for my wife, I very seldom schedule any appointments for a weekend or later than 6pm on the week days (this also helps me play catch up without any distractions). But I have been know to make an exception once or twice before ;)

Like I stated in my original post, if you would like to work something out, I'd be happy to help, but PM me or email me. I don't have the time in order to stay as current on the boards as I'd like.