Builder's drilling steel

[Bornfree]

Had a job this week that involved drilling 12mm holes in RSJ beams 8 to 10mm thick. There was a lot to do so three blokes from the building team were helping. They came into the building and much shaking of heads followed by one of them sent off for drill bits. I was using my old 650rpm corded bosch drill and rocol cutting spray, I could drill 8 holes before the bit needed a tickle on the grinder. These bloke's were using cordless drills running in high speed,dry and burning the bits out after 2 to3 holes. I tried to help them but just got called a dinosaur. After two day's they must have used 100 bits, I used 2. I guess that's progress. .

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

Had a job this week that involved drilling 12mm holes in RSJ beams 8 to 10mm thick. There was a lot to do so three blokes from the building team were helping. They came into the building and much shaking of heads followed by one of them sent off for drill bits. I was using my old 650rpm corded bosch drill and rocol cutting spray, I could drill 8 holes before the bit needed a tickle on the grinder. These bloke's were using cordless drills running in high speed,dry and burning the bits out after 2 to3 holes. I tried to help them but just got called a dinosaur. After two day's they must have used 100 bits, I used 2. I guess that's progress. .

That's the tool using the tools fault.

Every cordless drill I have can run low rpm

Though I'd have got a mains out for the task

 

[123hotchef]

you cant teach stupid!

 

[sako243]

To be fair I find the Dewalt Extreme 2 drill bits to prefer high speed much more than low speed.

 

[mike os]

All the gear …

 

[Tinbasherdan]

We just used to use a mag drill and rotabroach....

 

[mtt.tr]

We just used to use a mag drill and rotabroach....

Would be my first choice

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

If I was doing it day in day out yes.
But for the odd one off....

 

[mtt.tr]

If I was doing it day in day out yes.
But for the odd one off....

If you factor in the number of people involved and drills consumed

 

[fizzy]

I find using a smaller bit first helps a huge amount.
Nothing beats a corded drill - a nuclear powerstation is better than any 5 amp battery

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

If you factor in the number of people involved and drills consumed

I would be in the former camp of a few drill bits. Tbh id have written the cost of a cheap mag drill into the price of the job.

A lot of my tools have been paid for by customers.

 

[fizzy]

We just used to use a mag drill and rotabroach....

And me.
I love my Rotabroach Panther!

 

[123hotchef]

I find using a smaller bit first helps a huge amount.
Nothing beats a corded drill - a nuclear powerstation is better than any 5 amp battery

not needed with these Dewalt Extreme 2 drill bits they have it all in one

 

[Pete.]

I have the same experience I have been cutting out service holes in large RSJ webs. The guys were using 3-4 cutters a day I could make one last 2 days easy and working at least 3x quicker.

 

[fizzy]

not needed with these Dewalt Extreme 2 drill bits they have it all in one

I see they have a small pilot drill - could do with being a bit longer I suppose. Will have to try some. I have a load of holes to drill in 6mm angle - mag drill too awkward for those.

 

[Revs1972]

Nothing beats a corded drill - a nuclear powerstation is better than any 5 amp battery

You sir , sound like you have never used a
Hilti SM-A22 cordless drill

 

[123hotchef]

I see they have a small pilot drill - could do with being a bit longer I suppose. Will have to try some. I have a load of holes to drill in 6mm angle - mag drill too awkward for those.

They will be great for that. Saves a pilot

 

[fizzy]

They will be great for that. Saves a pilot

Just realised I need 6.4mm or 1/4" for rivets - they don't seem to do that size

 

[8ob]

There was a lot to do so three blokes from the building team were helping. They came into the building and much shaking of heads followed by one of them sent off for drill bits. These bloke's were using cordless drills running in high speed,dry and burning the bits out after 2 to3 holes

You would have to doubt the sanity of their manager or boss, why would you let a team struggle like that

Bob

 

[123hotchef]

Just realised I need 6.4mm or 1/4" for rivets - they don't seem to do that size

I probably would not pilot for a 4 anyway in mild angle they probably do a 6.5