Epic fail drilling into aluminum

[alwaysFlOoReD]

When I'm cutting or drilling aluminum, I use wd40 as cutting fluid. It stops the bit or blade from clogging up.

 

[fastpakr]

When I'm cutting or drilling aluminum, I use wd40 as cutting fluid. It stops the bit or blade from clogging up.

@Curious Hound mentioned that as well. I did try it this evening, but I think I was just spinning the grinder too fast and it overheated the metal. Next time I’ll have the line pressure much further down.

 

[JoshT]

Just tuning in. Pretty crazy that you're having that much trouble drilling Chinese aluminum. I work/worked on military aircraft. We're talking better aluminum that you'll ever get off Amazon, and some Titanium too. Never seen the sheetmetal guys at work have that much trouble drilling out a hole for a fastener.

 

[fastpakr]

Just tuning in. Pretty crazy that you're having that much trouble drilling Chinese aluminum. I work/worked on military aircraft. We're talking better aluminum that you'll ever get off Amazon, and some Titanium too. Never seen the sheetmetal guys at work have that much trouble drilling out a hole for a fastener.

It’s comically bad. I wish there was an easy way to let you guys try your hand at it and we could figure it out.

The other day I reached out to a local friend that seemed likely to have answers. He asked me to bring it by his house and when I arrived he suggested I should surrender my man card over this. Then he joined me in abject failure.

 

[Curious Hound]

he suggested I should surrender my man card over this. Then he joined me in abject failure.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I'm still thinking bits that are wrong cutting geometry. I've seen enough that I've had to sharpen before they work properly.
Or dull from the start.

 

[JoshT]

It’s comically bad. I wish there was an easy way to let you guys try your hand at it and we could figure it out.

The other day I reached out to a local friend that seemed likely to have answers. He asked me to bring it by his house and when I arrived he suggested I should surrender my man card over this. Then he joined me in abject failure.

Did he surrender his?

 

[Roert42]

try double cut carbide burrs instead of single cut. Clogs less in soft metal.

 

[fastpakr]

I'm still thinking bits that are wrong cutting geometry. I've seen enough that I've had to sharpen before they work properly.
Or dull from the start.

That seems like a completely reasonable explanation.