Good morning! I’m new to the group and currently working on a project, a hanging mobile. I need to drill two tiny holes in a stainless steel rod (4 mm diameter). I’ve done this easily on mild steel, but stainless seems trickier, so I’d really appreciate any advice.
Is anyone able to guide me on how best to do this in the workshop? And will anyone be around next week whom I could ask in person?
Thanks so much in advance!
Stainless can be harder material and therefore trickier to get started on such a small rod. Using a small dedicated centering drill is to get the hole established is probably your best bet.
Happy to see if I can help with this. I will be at the space around midday and will be there until the evening.
Hi Lizi,
How long is this rod?
How big/small are the holes?
Are they all the way through the material?
But as David already mentioned, Stainless is more difficult to work with, if you get it too hot it will harden and you can’t really drill it then.
Hello,
Thanks for replying! The rod is 49cm long, 4mm diametre. The holes I did on the mild steel were about 0.8mm, one at each end of the rod going all the way through the material. The thread a fine metal cable through the hole and the hang the mobile components from the thread.
Hi Dave, please would you be around tomorrow or next week? If not, I’ll try to come today. Thank you for offering to help!
Hi Dave, I’m coming in today around midday. I’ll look for you. Thank you!