DSF

[User Deleted]

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

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

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.

Good tip and nice of you to share it.

[User Deleted]

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

That makes sense.

Paul

[User Deleted]

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.