Drilling into 6mm aluminium

Skynet5 · 4 Jun 2022 at 16:56

I need to drill a series of holes, symmetrically, into 5 or 6mm aluminium. 2 on one side, 2 on the other.

Ideally I need a pillar drill I guess.

Any idea where I could go to get this done for me?
I have a drill and a Dremel, I guess I could buy a pillar unit for them, or maybe spend £120 on a pillar drill.

But ideally I want to know where I could go for someone to do it for me, or a life hack on how to make it happen at home lol.

andy_mk3 · 4 Jun 2022 at 17:10

I'm sure a local engineerimg shop will happily do that for you. Shouldn't cost a lot. Just give them clear details on what you want.

Uncle Petey · 4 Jun 2022 at 17:21

Try asking a local glass shop if you don't have an engineering place nearby.
One of my locals were able to drill holes in a sheet of glass for me. Aluminium shouldn't be an issue as long as they have the right bits and you've got a template or accurate markings.

I do have a drill press, but didn't trust myself with glass

danlightbulb · 4 Jun 2022 at 17:50

Is that too thick for a metal drill bit in a decent combi drill then?

fullspizz · 4 Jun 2022 at 18:17

Vice for holding the aluminium, hole punch for where you want the holes. Decent drill and drill bit and you should be fine, maybe get a spray water bottle to cool the metal down as you drill.

NoNameNoNumber · 4 Jun 2022 at 18:30

fullspizz said:
Vice for holding the aluminium, hole punch for where you want the holes. Decent drill and drill bit and you should be fine, maybe get a spray water bottle to cool the metal down as you drill.

This but a center punch and cutting fluid would be my advice.

theone8181 · 4 Jun 2022 at 20:13

Pilot drill first, go 2.5, then 4 then 5 or 6 otherwise your drill will wonder. I've got this contraption ( ot sure what else to call it), that my dad got from somewhere. Its essentially a poor man's pillar drill, you clamp your drill in and use that. I'll try and find a pic.

Something like this. Sorry tried to stick a pic in but it's not working. Looks like it's called a drill press (I assume that's what the guy above meant).

Clarke CDS3 Drill Press Stand with Vice : Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

Free delivery and returns on all eligible orders. Shop Clarke CDS3 Drill Press Stand with Vice.

www.amazon.co.uk

jpaul · 4 Jun 2022 at 20:32

yes get a nice cobalt drill , so that it does the work, I usually use just light bicycle oil on the drill bit,
and secure the metal at foot level above a block of wood, to give best chance of a vertical hole + safety glasses of course.

Mysterae_ · 4 Jun 2022 at 23:48

NoNameNoNumber said:
This but a center punch and cutting fluid would be my advice.

And get an adjustable automatic centre punch. It might sound like a glass hammer or a long stand but trust me they are great.

builder22 · 5 Jun 2022 at 02:25

depends how accurate it needs to be but...

use a scribe to mark the x line along the length of the aluminium then scribe the 4 y axis markings at either end where you want the holes... where the x and y scribe lines intersect creates a point for a centre punch to 'fall' in to

use two squares or known square blocks of wood etc sitting along the x and y axis as a guide for the drill to get the holes straight down the z axis

as said start with a small drill bit to minimize wandering

Skynet5 · 5 Jun 2022 at 09:11

Thanks all.

There is a local machine shop apparently so I'll phone up Monday.

I have 7 parts to do, and each part is 30-40£ worth of CNC machined aluminium 7075.

The company that makes them have upgraded parts, which look the same, but have extra holes. I want the holes without buying new.

So if this shop fails me, my next choice is as a few mentioned with a block of wood with hole as a guide and a centre punch, or I buy a pillar drill.

These cheap ones I mount the drill in don't look accurate enough from watching YouTube.

theone8181 · 5 Jun 2022 at 12:08

lnoton said:
Thanks all.

There is a local machine shop apparently so I'll phone up Monday.

I have 7 parts to do, and each part is 30-40£ worth of CNC machined aluminium 7075.

The company that makes them have upgraded parts, which look the same, but have extra holes. I want the holes without buying new.

So if this shop fails me, my next choice is as a few mentioned with a block of wood with hole as a guide and a centre punch, or I buy a pillar drill.

These cheap ones I mount the drill in don't look accurate enough from watching YouTube.

Can you talk to the company that made them and see if they will up-rev them for a small fee. What kind of accuracy do you need, what's it for?

Skynet5 · 5 Jun 2022 at 16:18

theone8181 said:
Can you talk to the company that made them and see if they will up-rev them for a small fee. What kind of accuracy do you need, what's it for?

It's aluminium parts for a RC race buggy.
They are made by a company called Tekno.

The new holes allow for alternative roll center setup, so accuracy in the symetry is super important.

theone8181 · 5 Jun 2022 at 20:01

lnoton said:
It's aluminium parts for a RC race buggy.
They are made by a company called Tekno.

The new holes allow for alternative roll center setup, so accuracy in the symetry is super important.

You could make the holes slightly oversize to give you some adjustment in them.