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Thread: there must be an easier way...

  1. #1
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    Default there must be an easier way...

    of making holes in silver.

    I'm trying to make two holes 7mm apart in a strip of silver 1.7mm thick and 5mm wide. I need to make them big enough to get 2mm wire through. Every time I've done this it's been a nightmare. I use drills, pointy tip burrs and today I punched through with nails. Why is something that should be so easy so difficult? What am I doing wrong?

  2. #2
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    I do this a lot for riveted stuff. I tend to start with a 0.8mm drill, then a 1.2mm, 1.6mm and finish off with a ball burr for a nice finish.

  3. #3
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    What kind of drill are you using? I've tried a basic metal drill but it hardly touches it.

  4. #4
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    I use these: http://www.cooksongold.com/Jewellery...prcode-971-173 (a fair bit cheaper bought in half dozens) with a foredom pendant motor. I tend to work at pretty low speeds and use lots of cut lube. I do tend to anneal the sheet before I start, and that definitely makes a difference.

  5. #5
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    I buy my HSS drills from Screwfix, they sell them in packs of 10. 1mm drills only cost £2.02 for a pack of 10, so I don't mind if they break on me. See; http://www.screwfix.com/p/titan-hss-...ck-of-10/38240
    I use a pendant drill and I lubricate the drill each time I drill, with either oil or if I want to keep the surface relatively clean I drill into a candle to lubricate it, I do this before each attempt at drilling, you cannot lubricate too much. I actually use standard white candle for saw blade lubrication also.
    James

  6. #6
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    Likewise on the Screwfix bits - my only minor gripe about them is the length. Centre punch, chuck them as close to the flutes as possible, run them slow and don't side load them. If you break one off in the metal, an overnight soak in pickle followed by a spell in an ultrasonic works well; alum is also very effective, but this makes for one less thing to have on hand.

  7. #7
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    You can punch holes with this http://www.riogrande.com/MemberArea/...e+punch+pliers
    I've got one that you're very welcome to try if you fancy popping round some time.

  8. #8
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    I love my punch too Carole, but I don't think I'd risk it on metal as thick as that.

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by mizgeorge View Post
    I use these: http://www.cooksongold.com/Jewellery...prcode-971-173 (a fair bit cheaper bought in half dozens) with a foredom pendant motor. I tend to work at pretty low speeds and use lots of cut lube. I do tend to anneal the sheet before I start, and that definitely makes a difference.
    Quote Originally Posted by Goldsmith View Post
    I buy my HSS drills from Screwfix, they sell them in packs of 10. 1mm drills only cost £2.02 for a pack of 10, so I don't mind if they break on me. See; http://www.screwfix.com/p/titan-hss-...ck-of-10/38240
    I use a pendant drill and I lubricate the drill each time I drill, with either oil or if I want to keep the surface relatively clean I drill into a candle to lubricate it, I do this before each attempt at drilling, you cannot lubricate too much. I actually use standard white candle for saw blade lubrication also.
    James

    Quote Originally Posted by ps_bond View Post
    Likewise on the Screwfix bits - my only minor gripe about them is the length. Centre punch, chuck them as close to the flutes as possible, run them slow and don't side load them. If you break one off in the metal, an overnight soak in pickle followed by a spell in an ultrasonic works well; alum is also very effective, but this makes for one less thing to have on hand.
    Hmmm... it seems that like many things, life is made easier with lube! I was annealing each time, but I think it is just possible that my dad's drilla are probably blunt by now (he used to rebuild steam locomotives, so I inherited quite a few useful tools, which I love using because they remind me of him). I'll get an order in with screwfix for the next time and get some candles to hand.

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by caroleallen View Post
    You can punch holes with this http://www.riogrande.com/MemberArea/...e+punch+pliers
    I've got one that you're very welcome to try if you fancy popping round some time.
    those holes are a bit too big for me, but I wonder, do they produce tiny little discs of metal or compress the metal sideways?

    And I should get up your way. I think you are close to Camborne, right? I will unfortunately soon have more free time, so should come and see you!

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