I can't drill through steel! ARGGGH!!!?

Question

I'm trying to stick these blinds up, and the wall frame of the window seems to be made of some sort of steel!

I started with a black wood bit at first which obviously didn't work. Then I went to Bunnings Warehouse and they sold me a High Speed Steel bit.... it cut the first hole to 1mm depth.... now it doesn't do anything.

I then went back bunnings gave me a Cobalt Hige performance drill bit...... went back home..... nothin... I went slow just like they told me, but no joy.

What can i do??? the screws I'm preparing the hole for are 3mm gauge with a 2mm core.

also, if i push really hard, the bit just goes up inside my drill... i dunno if thats too good for my drill.

my drill bit is hand tightened. In otherwords it doesn't have a chuck , you just twist the end of the drill to tighten, so I think it has a preset grip strength.... d'oh.. does that mean my drill is crap.

and what kinda oil do you mean? motor oil?

thanks for the responses everyone, ok I'll go check out tapping oil. Bunnings is going to make a fortune out of me before this is done.

LOL :D yes the drill is turning the correct way, and no I can't tighten it anymore with pliers, the grip has a set tightness, its impossible to turn it once its locked in. Also i'm not drilling into the window frame, i'm drilling into the wall frame around the window, which appears to be made out of platinum.

nope if its sheet metal i havnt gone through it yet, The little indentation i've made with my blunted drill is still silver in color.

Went back to bunnings.... they still didn't recommend oil so i prompted them, they half agreed,.... somehow i dun think they know what they'r doin.

lol re selling the platinum ;D

Answer 1

Sounds like you do not have the chuck tightened enough. Perhaps the bit is slipping in the chuck when it meets heavy resistance. Could explain why it is sliding up further into the chuck when you press hard. Also, what kind of drill are you using? Is it a hammer drill and do you have it set on hammer mode? If so, turn that off and using it as a standard drill. If the drill and the bit are worth anything, you shouldn't have a problem drilling into most metal... though it can take sometime depending on its thickness.

Answer 2

Drilling Through Steel

Answer 3

Use some lubricant/ oil made for this purpose.

There is also something called a mag drill. It is magnetized through an electric current and will drill holes through steel beams. I have been an ironworker for twenty years, and I know that this oil for drill bits will prolong the life of your bit and make the drilling process effective.

I am surprised no one at the store recommended the oil.

As you drill, apply small amounts to the drill hole area and to the bit sparingly but consistently.

Be Careful, Work safe. Most Accidents happen within a twenty mile radius of home.. That's why some people move out of the county!

Sincerely,

Michael

Answer 4

They make Tapping Fluid, which is a cutting oit. In a pinch 3-in-1 oil should suffice. Slow and steady with a chuck that can grip tight. Maybe you need to get a cheap electric drill with a real chuck with key?

Otherwise take a Q-Tip with acetone or solvent on it and swab the chuck jaws to remove any lubricant from the edge that grabs the drill. (You don't want to remove the oil from the jaws, just their biting edge.) Also clean off the shank part of the drill that goes up in the chuck. This should give you the best grip after you tighten it by hand as best you can. Apply the cutting oil to the fluted part of the drill so it wets the hole for drilling.

Answer 5

Stupid question time. Is your drill turning in the forward position? The mistake is easy enough to make. The window frames are usually wood, aluminum, or mild steel, so check to see that your bit is turning clockwise. Always drill the hole one size smaller than what you need. the drills always leave a hole a little bigger than they are. Your keyless chuck may have to be tightened with 2 pair of pliers, but that is a worst case scenario. Good Luck

Answer 6

It sounds like you have a keyless chuck, grab hold and tighten as hard as you can by hand. Other than that most of the above are good suggestions.
Are you sure it isn't a sheet metal frame over concrete? maybe you went through the sheet metal, hit the concrete and stopped.

If the frames are made of platinum, tear them out completely and sell them. you should have enough money to pay for fixing the wimdows and hanging your blinds.

Answer 7

drill very slow using oil and dont let the bit get too hot...if the steel behind is thick, then pull the bit out and get all the shavings off, then re-drill a little more til you finish to the depth you want...sometimes the shavings will adhere to the cutting tip of the bit and just let the bit rotate without biting in......good luck

Answer 8

Go and buy a "cement drill" often called a Masonry Drill. Those will cut thru hardened steel as they have a carbide edge. Make sure you keep the thing cool by perodically dipping in cup of water to cool it.

Answer 9

Purchase the gold titanium drill bit for best results

Answer 10

start with a small bit and cutting oil and work your way up to the size bit you need... i have found that i helps to cuss while you are doing this...and hang your tongue out the side of your mouth also...these are all proven remedies