Posted: 9/8/2016 12:03:48 PM EDT
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I'd like to be able to drill into my Jeeps front bumper (Olympic), it's much thicker than the stock bumper.
I need to drill a hole for my steering box armor, and I'd like to add mounts for some D rings up front. Currently I have an 18v Rechargeable and an earlier variant of this DeWalt electric drill What should I be looking for in a hand drill for drilling into thicker steel? Do I need a hammer drill, or just a more powerful version of the DeWalt? Thanks. |
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Quoted:
I would think something with a cord at least. Quoted:
I would think something with a cord at least. That's what I was thinking Perhaps take the bumper to a machinist before installing it, the cost would likely be less than the cost of a drill that could cut through that. 
Bumper has been on for the last 6 months+ I could pull it off, once I mark the spot that needs to be drilled for the steering box armor. It's a 5 minute job, only 4 bolts hold it in place. I do have a half horsepower 1/2" drill press in my shop. |
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Quoted:
That's what I was thinking
Bumper has been on for the last 6 months+ I could pull it off, once I mark the spot that needs to be drilled for the steering box armor. It's a 5 minute job, only 4 bolts hold it in place. I do have a half horsepower 1/2" drill press in my shop. Quoted:
Quoted:
I would think something with a cord at least. That's what I was thinking Perhaps take the bumper to a machinist before installing it, the cost would likely be less than the cost of a drill that could cut through that.
Bumper has been on for the last 6 months+ I could pull it off, once I mark the spot that needs to be drilled for the steering box armor. It's a 5 minute job, only 4 bolts hold it in place. I do have a half horsepower 1/2" drill press in my shop. I believe you have your answer! (Unless you are like me and simply need any excuse to buy a new tool) 
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Won't your 18 volt drill handle the size? I've drilled 3/4" through 3/4" steel on the wreckers at work with my old 18 volt milwaukee. Of course I drilled pilot holes and did it in a few size increments, but it got the job done. ^^^What he said. Drill in steps and you won't have a problem. |
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Won't your 18 volt drill handle the size? I've drilled 3/4" through 3/4" steel on the wreckers at work with my old 18 volt milwaukee. Of course I drilled pilot holes and did it in a few size increments, but it got the job done. Size of the bit, no problem. Thickness & harness of the steel? I'm thinking that might be an issue. The bumper isn't wood nor thin sheet metal. |
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I drilled 6 1/2" holes through my F350 frame to mount my hitch, with an 18V cordless. No pilot holes, just clamped the hitch in place and used my redneck upside down drill press. http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee245/NH2112/AC28EF77-8F5B-4F02-BAE5-95A5EA8F970D_zps8jyafxkn.jpg Impressive! |
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I drilled 6 1/2" holes through my F350 frame to mount my hitch, with an 18V cordless. No pilot holes, just clamped the hitch in place and used my redneck upside down drill press. http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee245/NH2112/AC28EF77-8F5B-4F02-BAE5-95A5EA8F970D_zps8jyafxkn.jpg
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). But I'll try with my current gear, on the hole for the steering box armor to see how it goes.
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The most important thing to remember is low speed & high pressure for drilling into steel. Around 300rpm is good, and when I was drilling the frame I was just short of starting to lift the truck. It only took about 30-40 seconds per hole. Quote for truth. I have an 18v Milwaukee brushed model, about 1year old. The chuck sucks big time. My 10 year old Milwaukee keyless chuck works better. Other than that it is a decent tool. Ryobi lithium chuck sucked too. Neither will hold a bit without loosening up. Used newer Milwaukee to drill bunches of holes in 76 F250 truck frame, 3/8", worked fine other than chuck... |
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Quoted: The most important thing to remember is low speed & high pressure for drilling into steel. Around 300rpm is good, and when I was drilling the frame I was just short of starting to lift the truck. It only took about 30-40 seconds per hole. |
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Quoted:
Size of the bit, no problem. Thickness & harness of the steel? I'm thinking that might be an issue. The bumper isn't wood nor thin sheet metal. Quoted:
Quoted:
Won't your 18 volt drill handle the size? I've drilled 3/4" through 3/4" steel on the wreckers at work with my old 18 volt milwaukee. Of course I drilled pilot holes and did it in a few size increments, but it got the job done. Size of the bit, no problem. Thickness & harness of the steel? I'm thinking that might be an issue. The bumper isn't wood nor thin sheet metal. Say what? It's a jeep bumper, probably 5/16 max. And it sure as shit isn't built with anything but mild steel. |
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Hammer drills are for stone,brick ,concrete and masonary with carbide tipped drill bits . Neither is what you want for metal .
Most hammer drills have a switch that turns the function from hammer function to just drilling , if the hammer drill you have is the biggest drill motor you have this is the way to go. Next issue is the regular drill bits being sold out of Home centers are made to price compete for all the weekend warriors and are pretty lame in any decent steel . At Home Depot for instance there are Ryobi , dewalt and two or three grades of Milwaukee bits and the only resonably decent ones are the most expensive "cobalt" line from Milwaukee . Drill a smaller 1/8 or 1/4 pilot hole and then finish with your bolt size or slightly larger . If your bolt size is 1/2 inch or larger you will likely want a intermediate size bit also. Use oil and medium speed with the larger bits . If you are seeing metal turning blue or smoke from the bit you need more oil or slower speeds. Don't forget the safety glasses! Drilling steel is way dangerous to the eyeballs. A decent 18volt will handle the job , larger batteries would be a better choice but regular ones will do with some patience |
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Quoted:
Say what? It's a jeep bumper, probably 5/16 max. And it sure as shit isn't built with anything but mild steel. Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Won't your 18 volt drill handle the size? I've drilled 3/4" through 3/4" steel on the wreckers at work with my old 18 volt milwaukee. Of course I drilled pilot holes and did it in a few size increments, but it got the job done. Size of the bit, no problem. Thickness & harness of the steel? I'm thinking that might be an issue. The bumper isn't wood nor thin sheet metal. Say what? It's a jeep bumper, probably 5/16 max. And it sure as shit isn't built with anything but mild steel. The bumper the OP linked to lists as being 7 gauge steel..... 7 gauge = 3/16" = not too hard to drill with any 1/2" chucked drill motor on the market. |