drilling hard steel

I want to drill a hole in the input shaft of a mustang II rack but it's hard. VERY HARD.

What type of drill will cut it?

 

Cobalt, Sears has them

 

There is also a drilling fluid called Mystic Metal Mover. we use it at work to drill stainless it is the ****. Most welding suppily shops have it. If you get some you will wonder what you did w/ out it I swear.

 

Your probably goin need a carbide drill, If you don't have acess to a milling machine or a good ridgid drill press I would suggest getting someone who does as carbide drills and mills are pretty brittle if not in a good ridgid setup, and it will be a lot easier to locate the center of the shaft in a milling machine. I would be concerned drilling into a hardened steering shaft, you can easily change the properties of the metal depending on how hot it gets while the machining is done, not to mention how a thru hole can weaken the shaft, good luck.

 

Carbide will do it.Also fragile and expensive.



I won't ask why you are drill the hole.

 

Carbide, slow speed, sturdy setup and lots of oil. Take a file to it just to see how hard it really is. I wouldn't think a steering input shaft would be that hard, but I've never tried to drill one either.
Jeff

 

How big a hole and how deep?
I drill safes opem some stuff at rockwell 90.
I use carbide drills also have some diamond drills . see if there is a safe tech in your area he might drill it for you. He will charge for the drill bit about $ 25.00.

 

I just have to ask. After you drill it, do you have to tap threads in this hole? Let me warn you, drilling a hole is easyer than tapping one.

 

That is a valid point,they are usually toughened,or case hardened.

 

cobalt or carbide at a slow speed and use oil!!!!!!!! the bits are brittle and will snap easily. 1/8 " pilot - 3/16 -1/4 - 5/16 -3/8 - you get the idea...good luck

EDIT: oh yeah and push hard

 

are you sure it hardened steel you deeling with?

 

Many parts like those racks have a hardend outer [case hardended],but after you get down about .010in. or so it cuts better. Using a grinding wheel to cut though that first layer helps. If your real short on $,it is OK to use a concreat drill,they're cheep but have carbide tip on them.
Or just bring it by and we'll do it.

 

a mustang II rack has the standard splined input shaft that connects to your steering wheel. a knuckle conects to the shaft and then you install a jam allen screw and jam nut for safety. i wanted to drill a small hole and put a bolt and nut inplace of the jam nut.

 

If it's really really hard, (Doubt it) you couls always drag out the Yellow pages and look under EDM. That will make a hole for you. Not really expensive either. Sometimes I think my replying to a post is it's kiss of death.