What drill bit to drill through steel?

[toomanyknots]

Just wondering. I googled it a bit, but I am still not sure what I should go for, or where to find it. I want to drill threw something pretty thin to make a guide for a shaft to go through on a router jig. I was using wood, but it just wore out way too fast. I'd also like to drill through some trade points and the like, to insert a little pin to help hold in it place.

[Pat B]

You may have to anneal the steel first if it is very hard.

[Cardboard_Duck]

I've drill through hardened steel (around 59-60RC) with cobalt bits before. All I use are cobalt bits, the DeWalt cobalt split points are decent as well as the Ridgid colfdire cobalts. Just take it slow and don't get the bit hot, some people use cutting oil, but I have had bad luck with the stuff.

[Thesquirrelslinger]

for mild steel, unhardened, I have used TIN coated bits(titanium nitride) with great success.
For high carbon, UNHARDENED, also TIN coated.
TIN will cut hardened steel, but it will dull quickly- so use something else.
Cobalt is best for hardened steel- or special carbide tipped bits(no, not mansory bits).
I have drilled holes in old files with TIN bits- but you must anneal the file first.

[paulsemp]

Low rpm

[Cardboard_Duck]

Anything harder than soft butter will destroy those titanium coated bits. HSS is the next in line under cobalt I believe.

[toomanyknots]

Thanks yall. Merry christmas by the way!

[killir duck]

i'm a custom knifemaker so i drill alot of pin and lanyard holes, i always use dewalt cobalt bits, they do where out fairly quikly on hardened steel, so i always drill blades before i harden and temper

[bushboy]

e stated go very slowly,drill wax works very well also.I drill losta stainless at work,if yay heat the bit up to much ,it's toast.

[RyanR]

Low rpm

+1 otherwise you will overheat and trash your bit.