Anything fancy about drilling Alum?

[NoNothing]

I just got all my bargainfittings parts in today and Im going to be putting them on my boil kettle when I get out of work here.

Is there anything special about drilling into my aluminum boil kettle vs stainless steel? All the instructions I read online are for SS, Im assuming no difference, but I know you guys know best!

 

[smizak]

If by special you mean easier then yeah. Just use a little dish soap as a lubricant and your bit will fly right through it.

Stainless is a different animal, there is a graveyard of drills and step-bits where I work form stainless. Pain in the @ss.

 

[BargainFittings]

Just go slow with aluminum because it cuts so fast you can over drill it in a hurry.

 

[NoNothing]

Ill be sure to go nice and slow.

I have a step bit, is that still needed? helpful?

 

[erik]

Step bit is great, and cutting oil is better (IMHO) than dish soap.

Any which way, I'd prefer to cut Al over stainless ANY day! Like cutting butter ;-)

 

[Mischief_Brewing]

measure twice, drill once.

I almost overdrilled my aluminum HLT, it went so fast!

 

[Homercidal]

Cuts easy, but is "sticky". Use lube to prevent gumming up the drill. Prob not a big deal for thin stuff.

 

[AnOldUR]

. . . and cutting oil is better (IMHO) than dish soap.

Actually vegetable oil will work great for this.

 

[GreenMonti]

About the only thing I can add to what others have said is..........Be aware of the amount of pressure you use on the drill. Alum will dent pretty easy. It can also hang up on a burr and dent due to the torque of the drill motor.

Good luck.

 

[bctdi]

as a general rule SS drilling requires slow rpm and more force , while aluminum requires high rpm drill speed with lighter force / pressure.In this specific case I`d go with some lube as others have suggested since you`re making a large hole.