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Drilling Brass Details

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  • Member since
    January 2023
  • 11 posts
Drilling Brass Details
Posted by Ezrails on Wednesday, February 22, 2023 4:55 PM

I need to drill out the lights on some brass diesel engine shells.  I have cobalt drills.  What speed do I use for a 1/16 in bit?  And how do I determine the speed the drill is running.

any, and all, help is greatly appreciated.  I don't want to damage these shells if possible.

RicZ

  • Member since
    March 2011
  • 1,950 posts
Posted by NVSRR on Thursday, February 23, 2023 3:56 PM

Start with a 3/32 bit.  drill the pilot hole through the center. then see how centered you are. either use the 1/16 to finish it or a file to finish it.  and use a pin vise    a little slower but controls the speed better.  Cobolts are very aggressive in a soft material like bras.  high speed still isnt as agressive  and a better choice.   cobalts are for hard metals. not really soft metals like brass. 

shane

A pessimist sees a dark tunnel

An optimist sees the light at the end of the tunnel

A realist sees a frieght train

An engineer sees three idiots standing on the tracks stairing blankly in space

  • Member since
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  • From: Canada, eh?
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Posted by doctorwayne on Thursday, February 23, 2023 4:34 PM

NVSRR
either use the 1/16 to finish it or a file to finish it. and use a pin vise a little slower but controls the speed better.

I agree with the suggestion to begin by using a pin vise, as it allows better control to keep the drill bit from wandering.

Wayne

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  • Member since
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  • From: Northeast OH
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Posted by tstage on Thursday, February 23, 2023 4:34 PM

Ric,

Personally, I would drill them out by hand with a pin vise for better control.  It also depends what gauge wire you plan on using.

I use 34 AWG (0.007" OD) magent wire for illuminating my headlamps so a #78 drill bit is large enough to pass both wires through side-by-side and keep them as unobtrusive visually as possible.

Are you using incandescent or LED bulbs?

Tom

https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling

Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.

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