how do you drill threw an iron pipe? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

bondagegirl · 08-11-2003, 09:44 AM

Or at least i think it's iron.... Well i'm wondering if I can drill a hole into a heavy duty metal pipe. If i can what does it take? Can I just use a regular hand held cordless drill? I don't want to try it and screw everything up, so if someone can help... PLEASE!

Ashton · 08-11-2003, 11:19 AM

Need more info...... Cast Iron? or just Steel? Steel is easy, you just center punch where you want the hole.... if you don't have a center punch a big nail will work, You just give the punch a smack with a hammer to make a small hole for the drill bit tip..... that way the bit won't move around as you start drilling, if you want to drill a big hole you need to drill a pilot hole first, which is just a smaller hole for the big bit to drill into...... A cordless will work if the pipe isn't too thick, but a electric would be better. Just remember to use bits that are for drilling metal

and clamp the pipe down so it dosen't slip!

I doubt you're talking about Cast Iron...... but if you are don't center punch it! cast iron is brittle and will crack...... I've never drilled cast iron, but I've tried to cut it before..... couldn't even scratch it!

Tell me more about this pipe..... how thick is the metal and how big around is it? Me needs more info!

bondagegirl · 08-11-2003, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Black Malleable Pipe is used mainly for transporting natural and propane gas from the street or tank to the home. Black steel pipe is available in sizes from 1/2" to 1" in diameter and usually comes in 10 to 20 foot lengths.

I think this is what I'll be getting.... Hope this helps! I think I'm going to be getting the 3/4 in in diameter...

Otherwise thanks!

luvsredbeaver · 08-11-2003, 02:29 PM

Even with a center punch to mark the starting point for the drill bit, it's still hard to drill a straight hole through a round pipe. Eastiest way is if you have access to a drill press. This allows you to clamp the pipe down and the drill is mounted permananetly to a base that does not move. You tlower the drill bit by turning a wheel on the side. There is no worry about having to hold the drill straight with this method.

Some places like Home Depot or Lowe's will often drill a few holes free of charge of you buy the materiel (i.e. pipe in this case) from their store......

jbrooks544 · 08-11-2003, 05:11 PM

Drill press is best. Generally, metal wants SLOW speed and nice oil or "cutting oil" dripped on pretty frequently to help prevent dulling of bit from heat. You can get a cheap drill press for $80 bucks or something at northern tool or probably home depot. Not good enough for production work but average home jobber probably wouldn't wear it out in 20 years.

jbrooks544 · 08-11-2003, 05:13 PM

Oh yeah, what luvsredbeaver said too - you need to start with a 1/8" or 3/16" and work bigger 1/8" at a time. Don't try to start with a 3/8" or something b/c it will never work. Eye protection unless you want a nice red iron rust stain in your eye and a visit to the emergency room (anyone within 4 feet too.

jbrooks544 · 08-11-2003, 05:15 PM

Oh, and if the piece of pipe isn't firmly clamped to the drill bed then when the drill press cuts into it it could spin around and severely injure you - likewise, if you clamp the piece and use a hand drill then the drill will spin out and break your wrist. be carefull. You might be better off taking it to a machine shop or welder's shop.

LewisCouch · 08-11-2003, 07:13 PM

Make a jig out of some scrap wood that will hold the pipe stationary. Clamp your jig to a table or sawhorse and then drill a pilot hole with a good quality 3/32" carbide tip bit. Gradually increase the bit size.

muckluck · 08-11-2003, 08:23 PM

A really big drill with a really strong bit...

axolotls · 08-11-2003, 10:22 PM

dude. don't even think of trying a handheld cordless drill. find a drill press.

homerhop · 08-11-2003, 11:44 PM

If you are drilling straight through and have not got a standard bench drill, measure the diameter of your pipe.
Get a piece of wood and cut it to half that diameter, place the pipe on a flat surface clamp it if possible and put the wood beside it, mark a line with a piece of chalk( make sure the chalk has a chisel type edge on it rub it along anything hard to wear it down flat) or permanent marker. Place the wood the opposite side and do the same.This will give you two central lines along the pipe.
To get lines along the circumference get a 2inch strip of emery paper hold it tight on the pipe and wrap it around 2 or 3 times making sure the edges line up and mark around the pipe.
Where the circumference marks meet the length lines is your drilling points. Mark with a bobpunch and drill from each side.
Sounds very long but you will have it done in a few minutes

If you are drilling alot of holes it would be worth your time buying a cobalt bit. They hold their edge alot longer than the standard drill bit. Their are also bits now that have a pilot tip on them saves you having to buy 2 or 3 bits and they are very good. I tend to buy them myself in preference to the others.

-Ever- · 08-12-2003, 06:42 PM

Whats this for? PM me if it's a secret

drop me an email sometime, havn't heard from you in a bit.

08-11-2003, 09:44 AM	#1 (permalink)
bondagegirl Muy loca en la cabeza!! Location: San Diego. Ca.	how do you drill threw an iron pipe? Or at least i think it's iron.... Well i'm wondering if I can drill a hole into a heavy duty metal pipe. If i can what does it take? Can I just use a regular hand held cordless drill? I don't want to try it and screw everything up, so if someone can help... PLEASE! __________________ "Dream as if you'll live forever, Live as if you'll die today."

08-11-2003, 07:13 PM	#8 (permalink)
LewisCouch Insane Location: Pacific NW	Make a jig out of some scrap wood that will hold the pipe stationary. Clamp your jig to a table or sawhorse and then drill a pilot hole with a good quality 3/32" carbide tip bit. Gradually increase the bit size. __________________ "The gift of liberty is like that of a horse, handsome, strong, and high-spirited. In some it arouses a wish to ride; in many others, on the contrary, it increases the desire to walk." -- Massimo d'Azeglio

08-11-2003, 08:23 PM	#9 (permalink)
muckluck Psycho	A really big drill with a really strong bit... __________________

08-11-2003, 11:44 PM	#11 (permalink)
homerhop Insane Location: ÉIRE	If you are drilling straight through and have not got a standard bench drill, measure the diameter of your pipe. Get a piece of wood and cut it to half that diameter, place the pipe on a flat surface clamp it if possible and put the wood beside it, mark a line with a piece of chalk( make sure the chalk has a chisel type edge on it rub it along anything hard to wear it down flat) or permanent marker. Place the wood the opposite side and do the same.This will give you two central lines along the pipe. To get lines along the circumference get a 2inch strip of emery paper hold it tight on the pipe and wrap it around 2 or 3 times making sure the edges line up and mark around the pipe. Where the circumference marks meet the length lines is your drilling points. Mark with a bobpunch and drill from each side. Sounds very long but you will have it done in a few minutes If you are drilling alot of holes it would be worth your time buying a cobalt bit. They hold their edge alot longer than the standard drill bit. Their are also bits now that have a pilot tip on them saves you having to buy 2 or 3 bits and they are very good. I tend to buy them myself in preference to the others. __________________ its evolution baby

08-12-2003, 06:42 PM	#12 (permalink)
-Ever- Junkie Location: San Francisco	Whats this for? PM me if it's a secret drop me an email sometime, havn't heard from you in a bit. __________________ Embracing the goddess energy within yourselves will bring all of you to a new understanding and valuing of life. A vision that inspires you to live and love on planet Earth. Like a priceless jewel buried in dark layers of soil and stone, Earth radiates her brilliant beauty into the caverns of space and time. Perhaps you are aware of those who watch over your home And experience of this place to visit and play with reality. You are becoming aware of yourself as a gamemaster... --Acknowledge your weaknesses--

08-11-2003, 11:19 AM	#2 (permalink)
Ashton PORNHOUND Location: California	Need more info...... Cast Iron? or just Steel? Steel is easy, you just center punch where you want the hole.... if you don't have a center punch a big nail will work, You just give the punch a smack with a hammer to make a small hole for the drill bit tip..... that way the bit won't move around as you start drilling, if you want to drill a big hole you need to drill a pilot hole first, which is just a smaller hole for the big bit to drill into...... A cordless will work if the pipe isn't too thick, but a electric would be better. Just remember to use bits that are for drilling metal and clamp the pipe down so it dosen't slip! I doubt you're talking about Cast Iron...... but if you are don't center punch it! cast iron is brittle and will crack...... I've never drilled cast iron, but I've tried to cut it before..... couldn't even scratch it! Tell me more about this pipe..... how thick is the metal and how big around is it? Me needs more info!

08-11-2003, 02:29 PM	#4 (permalink)
luvsredbeaver Insane Location: All up in it...	Even with a center punch to mark the starting point for the drill bit, it's still hard to drill a straight hole through a round pipe. Eastiest way is if you have access to a drill press. This allows you to clamp the pipe down and the drill is mounted permananetly to a base that does not move. You tlower the drill bit by turning a wheel on the side. There is no worry about having to hold the drill straight with this method. Some places like Home Depot or Lowe's will often drill a few holes free of charge of you buy the materiel (i.e. pipe in this case) from their store......

08-11-2003, 05:11 PM	#5 (permalink)
jbrooks544 Addict	Drill press is best. Generally, metal wants SLOW speed and nice oil or "cutting oil" dripped on pretty frequently to help prevent dulling of bit from heat. You can get a cheap drill press for $80 bucks or something at northern tool or probably home depot. Not good enough for production work but average home jobber probably wouldn't wear it out in 20 years.

08-11-2003, 05:13 PM	#6 (permalink)
jbrooks544 Addict	Oh yeah, what luvsredbeaver said too - you need to start with a 1/8" or 3/16" and work bigger 1/8" at a time. Don't try to start with a 3/8" or something b/c it will never work. Eye protection unless you want a nice red iron rust stain in your eye and a visit to the emergency room (anyone within 4 feet too.

08-11-2003, 05:15 PM	#7 (permalink)
jbrooks544 Addict	Oh, and if the piece of pipe isn't firmly clamped to the drill bed then when the drill press cuts into it it could spin around and severely injure you - likewise, if you clamp the piece and use a hand drill then the drill will spin out and break your wrist. be carefull. You might be better off taking it to a machine shop or welder's shop.

08-11-2003, 10:22 PM	#10 (permalink)
axolotls Tilted	dude. don't even think of trying a handheld cordless drill. find a drill press.