Recommended Tooling

[Dunkman]

I am using a drill press and fixture/vise for boring the holes in my radial baffles. My baffles are 17-4 SS and Gr 5 Ti. I planned to drill 11/32'' then ream to .375'', then use a 1/4'' ball end mill to clip. Will HSS tooling work for me or will I need Carbide tipped or Solid Carbide? What speed should I run the drill press at each step? What lubricant do you recommend?

Sorry for all the questions, this is my first time and I'm looking for knowledge. Thanks in advance!

[kmitchl]

Go to YouTube and search for BS in the Shop. He has several videos on the issues he encountered machining titanium wit HSS tooling and the solutions.

[Dunkman]

Thanks for the pointer! I'll check it out.

[T-Rex]

HSS works fine.
Center drill
Drill with final size
Don't worry about reaming. Hole size precision isn't necessary.

[fishman]

HSS is fine for titanium and 17-4, but not all HSS is equal. Cobalt HSS is far superior. Cheap HSS will work but will require frequent sharpening.

As mentioned, reaming is unnecessary.

Using a drill press, you wont get perfectly centered holes, and therefore you need to make the holes a little bigher. Is this a 30 cal, or 9mm can? I wouldnt go that small of a hole for 9mm. For 30 cal, its probably fine.

[Dunkman]

Thank you for the tips. It is just a .30 cal can.