Drilling Aluminium sheet ...

[webtrekker]

[User Deleted]

[GoonerGary]

I tried drilling 1mm aluminium. It can be dangerous to hands and eyes, so I get it milled instead...much easier.

[Skarekrow]

I find the same thing when I am drilling into dibond (aluminium composite sign board) It tend to happen if I apply too much pressure to the drill.

Doesn't the rag get caught up in the drill?

Paul

[wayupnorth]

Not sure what size hole you need but I purchased a hole punch set for producing my own bookmarks. The trick to cutting thin sheet is to sandwich & clamp it between two sheets of ply, drill a pilot hole and progressively enlarge. You can also use a cone cut which is as the name suggests a conical drill with a single flute that will create any sized hole up to its maximum diameter. They come in different sizes. A third method is to use a hole saw but you wont get a clean finish.

My choice would be a conecut and support the sheet on ply. Ideally you would use a pillar drill and set the stop to the required diameter. It is easy to over cut. They are not expensive and worthwhile if you intend to make more clocks.

[mr-gobby]

Good tip and nice of you to share it.

[webtrekker]

[User Deleted]

[Skarekrow]

Ah so it is a tiny piece of cloth that can spin with the drill.

That makes sense.

Paul

[webtrekker]

[User Deleted]

[Developit]

I have been drilling holes in aluminum sheets with a fiskars hand drill. Clamp metal to bench and drill. Simple and easy to control. My husband calls it my "girls drill" but it's all I need to do this.