titanium drilling...

[finlander 1]

Has anyone attempted drilling a hole in titanium? I am talking only a 1/16" thick. Thanks.

[Vodkaman 908]

Nasty stuff. As an apprentice, I was always given the titanium panels to be drilled.

Slow speed and press very hard, otherwise too much heat builds up and you fry the bit.

If you do a web search, they say the same things. Place the sheet on a metal plate, if you use a wooden bench top, you will just make a dimple.

If the metal is tarnished, you need to clean this off first, as it is actually harder than the metal.

Wear safety glasses.

[falkners 0]

No big deal. If you are drilling a lot of holes a cobalt drill will outlast a high speed drill but other than that maybe a lubricant/cutting fluid such as "Cool Tool" would help.