Advantages of Using an Aluminum Spot Drill

A well-designed Aluminum spot drill can be extremely useful when working with tough aluminum materials. While conventional drill bits are prone to chipping or cracking, specialized tools designed for these materials can improve drilling accuracy. In addition, they are highly effective in chamfering holes. If you're not sure what type of drill you need for your application, Titan USA is the company to call. They have a variety of spot drills in stock and can ship them to you on the same day you place your order.

A spotting drill's purpose is to locate the center of the hole and initiate plunge with accuracy. In addition to drilling holes, some machinists use spotting drills to chamfer the tops of holes, so that screw heads sit flush with the part once they are installed. These benefits can greatly improve the accuracy of the end product. For example, you can make holes that are only a few millimeters deep with a spotting drill.

Another advantage to using an aluminum spot drill is that it doesn't produce excess heat when drilling. As aluminum has a low melting point, excessive heat can be generated from friction between the drill and the material. When the drill speed is too low or the feed rate too high, the tool will rub against the aluminum and generate extra heat. To avoid this problem, try to use a higher feed rate. Higher feed rate will not only minimize rubbing, but also result in longer, thicker chips, which will allow the excess heat to escape.

For deep holes, a jobber length drill is necessary. In addition to using a spot drill, you can also make holes with an endmill or double margin 140 degree high end drill. This is an ideal choice for a deeper hole because it allows you to control the depth of the hole. These tools also have a wider range of speeds than traditional spot drills. It's important to remember that this drill can make holes in hard-to-reach areas of aluminum.

When using an aluminum spot drill, be sure to choose a bit with a large angle so that the tip is guided to the center of the hole. This will reduce the risk of deflecting the drill tip and will defeat the purpose of spot drilling. If the flutes are not perfectly sharpened, the drill will deflect, which will defeat the purpose of spot drilling. A large-angled spot drill will also allow the tip to cut the aluminum before the center of the hole.

Another key feature of an aluminum spot drill is its ability to run at high speeds. While steel taps are notorious for being unable to handle such high speeds, aluminum taps can run at up to 70 percent faster. Coolant through tools are crucial to draw chips from the cutting zone, but you must make sure they have a continuous coolant flow. So make sure your tool's lubricant flow is adequate before starting the process.