Drilling Leaf springs

[mickyd555]

Just drilled some old leaf springs, the first one went fine the second hole has so far eaten 3 drill bits.

I was a bit sceptical as to weather it would drill easily but the first one went through easy as. Is there a trick to drilling spring steel?

[striker99]

Are you using a drill press? You would want to be, secondly you have to drill slow

[shorty_f0rty]

use cutting oil, drill slow and some of the guys on ih8mud recommend using masonary drill bits... and im not speaking from experience.. just thought this might help.

[macca81]

outa curiosity, what would we be drinning the leafs for?? :S

[striker99]

outa curiosity, what would we be drinning the leafs for?? :S

ajusting the size?

[rover1]

seen this done before and the spring cracked through where the old hole is. you cant just drill the perch?

[mickyd555]

this leaf is no longer part of a spring pack. It is going to have a new life

cutting oil used, drilled slowly.......... Question is, Does spring steel require a different tecnique?? As i said the first bit was drilled no worries, i suspect it may not be 'springy' anymore???

[rover1]

if your going to use it for something other than a spring, heat where your are going to drill up to red hot, let it cool and than drill it. the heat will soften the steel and will drill easier...

[mickyd555]

if your going to use it for something other than a spring, heat where your are going to drill up to red hot, let it cool and than drill it. the heat will soften the steel and will drill easier...

I thought the heat would make it harder to drill?? Like trying to drill a weld?

[humphey]

if your going to use it for something other than a spring, heat where your are going to drill up to red hot, let it cool and than drill it. the heat will soften the steel and will drill easier...

I thought the heat would make it harder to drill?? Like trying to drill a weld?

heat will softem the steel but if u heat than qunch in the rite oil it will reharden

[rover1]

what ^ said. heat will soften it, we heat up bisalloy before drilling and it makes heaps of difference.

[mickyd555]

ok, so am i drilling it while still warm or letting it cool right down?

[striker99]

ok, so am i drilling it while still warm or letting it cool right down?

warm If you let it cool down it will go hard and will be just as hard mate.

[brad 93hilux]

As said... but don't try and soften the steel if you intend to use it as a spring. Its not as easy as just reheating it with an oxy and sticking it in some oil....

You could try to use cobalt drills, use correct speed and coolant and u should be right... don't let heat build up as it would prob workharden

hope it helps...brad

[tilts]

i remember talk in an old copy of 4wd monthly that some simport springs were made in india from recycled armourplate from disused warships being scrapped. same issue.came out to aus undrilled to be set up here for special use. no one here could drill it. sent back.
scott

[bj on roids]

get a nice sharp drill bit, use a press, be prepared to sharpen between springs oh and listen to humphey that dude is a leaf spring legend

[killalux]

i have used masonary bits, just have to sharpen the tips so they cut easier, work a treat.

[philhod]

Cobalt or Carbide drill bits. Will go through it like a hot knife through Butter.

[striker99]

oh I have to say sorry bit oftopic

but... your signature is cool mickyd555