Need to drill a 1 1/4 inch hole through a 1/4 inch steel plate.

Found a step drill which is listed for drilling steel.

Anyone have experience using a step drill for doing this? Figure I will have to drill from both sides to get though the plate.

Thanks,

Jack

The step drills I'm familiar with and keep on hand in my shop wouldn't do what you want as #1, those drills are made primarily for much thinner sheet metal and related materials; and #2, before the thickness of the 1 1/4" portion of the bit could drill through the plate (unless of course you could find such a bit with the last step being 1 1/4"), the next step would begin to drill through.

Perhaps a better quality, high priced and thicker step bit is made for the purpose you're seeking, but I've never known of such. If the hole you want in the plate has to be perfect in size, you may want to take the plate to a machine shop for the job. If the hole doesn't have to be perfect, most experienced welders can cut fairly precise holes with a cutting torch.

I could blow the hole myself but need a better hole than that. The hole in the current piece is egged out. That is why I'm replacing the piece.

Yes I would like to find a step drill bit which was 1 1/4 inch but have not done so to date. What is the typical horizontal distance between steps?

Were I at the farm I would go to a fabrication shop where they would punch-press the hole for me.

Thanks,

Jack

I'll have to look at the one's I have, but I believe they are only 1/8" steps. The punch press is the best idea.

Thanks Larry,

I went to a local store yesterday and measured theirs. When you say "step" you are talking the horizontal distance from one size to another? If so, the ones I measured were 3/16 inch.

1/8 would do the job if I turned it over and drilled from both sides.

I've now ordered one and will post how it goes. May be a couple of weeks.

Jack

Yes, you could do that Jack and it should work if you go at it very slowly and use plenty of cutting oil. And yes also, the distance you mention is what I was referring to and the 3/16" is even better for what you want to do.

Have only used a step drill once to enlarge a hole in a piece steel. It surprised me at how well it worked, but the steel was only about 3/32 thick.
Loren

Loren,

Was the land on the step at least 1/8 inch? Hope that is the proper description!

Thinking I can drill half way and then turn it over to complete.

Thanks,

Jack

The steps were about 1/8" apart, but not my drill so don't have it to measure. I do know that it did not go up to 1 1/4".

Thanks Loren,

In order to move this project along I am about to purchase one. Be handy to have around anyhow! The one I've been looking at goes up to 1 3/8 but if the steps are close to 1/8" apart it will do the job. Drill from both sides. Won't hurt if the corners are rounded.

Jack

That's an easy job with a drill press, a hole saw and some oil. If you got one.

Thanks Patrick.

I don't own a large enough drill press and have no place to put one if I did. My sister-in-law just sold my brother's so I don't have it to use anymore. My hole saws are at the farm, 140 miles, but I do have oil!

Jack

Go on ebay and check out Drillhog, I've used their step drill and find it very good. Just take your time and use oil. you can contact them on their link on ebay if you have any questions. God bless, Beth and Allen.

Thanks!

Really set me back at first as the only one I could find was the one which sells for about $170

More searching and I did find one for under $19

Have not found one anywhere for 1 1/4. Looks like I will have to buy a 1 3/8 inch. Do you happen to know what the horizontal distance is above the 1 1/4 cut before it starts the 1 3/8 cut? If 1/8 inch or more I'm in business.

Jack

The step is 1/8", But if you contact drillhog they may have one that only goes to 1 1/4". They really stand behind their product, I bent a long 1/4" bit ( my fault) and they wanted to send me a replacement. And they're American made. Good luck hope this helps,God Bless, Beth and Allen.

Plenty of wrong answers.Step drilling is considered bad practice.Corners will break off the drill bit because of the high load on the corners.A drill is apt to catch and break.I have to drill a lot of 3/4 and 7/8 in 1/2 inch steel with a small drill press.A sharp drill and oil helps the job.A friend broke my 5/8 drill trying to open a hole up to 3/4.

Hi 36,Unfortunately for him he doesn't have access to a drill press and most likely not all the other amenities we enjoy in our shops, so the step drill appears to be a good option. I've used a step drill to make many many holes with no problem when I couldn't get the piece in a drill press. As I suggested in my last post to him, get his step drill from Drillhog, they make a good product and they stand behind it.But like any product it is only as good as the person using it, if not done right it can be a piece of junk, I said take your time and use oil and it should work out ok for him especially since he doesn't appear to be working on a critical part where he needs precision. If that were the case and needed precision I would load it up and take it to a good machine shop and have them do it if I couldn't get the precision I need in my own shop. Some times though you just have to use what you have on hand or can get inexpensively. God Bless, Beth and Allen.