Drill Troubleshooting & Tips

Drill Troubleshooting:

Problem:	Recommended Solution:
Wear On Outer Corners	Reduce cutting speed Increase feed (IPR) Improve direction of coolant flow Increase coolant pressure Add corner break
Chipping Of Chisel Edge	Check accuracy of drill runout Check workpiece clamping accuracy and movement Check point centrality and lip height Increase feed rate
Chipping Of Cutting Lips	Check accuracy of drill runout Check workpiece clamping accuracy and movement Reduce speed Reduce point clearance Increase hone
Cracking Of Lands	Check movement of workpiece Increase back taper Check accuracy of drill runout Increase flute form opening or peck drill (HSS or HSCO only) if experiencing chip packing Slow down helix Increase feed (when spot drilling, reduce feed) Improve direction of coolant flow Increase coolant pressure
Oversize Hole	Increase speed, reduce feed Check workpiece clamping accuracy and movement Check accuracy of drill runout Increase flute form opening or peck drill (HSS or HSCO only) if experiencing chip packing Check point centrality and lip height
Undersize Hole	Improve direction of coolant flow Reduce cutting speed, increase feed Check drill diameter
Hole Not Round	Check accuracy of drill runout Check workpiece clamping accuracy and movement Check point centrality and lip height Increase flute form opening or peck drill (HSS or HSCO only) if experiencing chip packing
Drill Breakage	Check workpiece clamping accuracy and movement Increase flute form opening or peck drill (HSS or HSCO only) if experiencing chip packing Check accuracy of drill runout Reduce feed rate, increase feed rate Improve direction of coolant flow

Drilling tips:

Use these pro tips to ensure the optimal performance, extended tool life and increased efficiency of your drills:

Drill Selection: Use the shortest drill the application will permit in order to achieve maximum tool rigidity.

Holders: Toolholders including drill chucks and collets must provide good concentricity between the drill and the machine spindle. Use a positive back stop to prevent the tool from backing up into the holder. Never collet the tool over the flutes or over-tighten the holder. Static runout in the tool assembly must be accurately checked and maintained.

Workpiece: A secure and rigid workpiece to minimize deflection is needed, particularly on through-hole applications.

Coolant: Coolants are recommended when drilling mild steel and high temperature alloys. The purpose of the coolant media is to direct the chips away from the cutting tool and workpiece. Excessive coolant pressure and/or too much volume can negatively affect performance. When using coolant fed drills, the coolant pressure that is required should be higher than normal. Suggested pressure for coolant fed drills is minimally 150 PSI. As the diameter of the drill is reduced, the higher the pressure. This is to assist the chip in evacuating from a more confined area.

Portions of drill troubleshooting provided courtesy Precision Twist Drill, a Dormer Pramet Brand.

Want to learn more?

We believe the Right Tool Is Everything™, and we strive to share our experience and expertise in an effort to ensure you select the right tool for your application, follow best practices, and can push your productivity further.

Download our Holemaking Guide by clicking below. By downloading, you'll learn about:

Drill style, length and shank options and when to use them
Choosing the right drill for your material with included drill selection chart
Drill performance levels
The benefits of coolant-fed drills
Reamer types & when to use them
Speed & feed recommendations for reamers
Troubleshooting counterboring applications, and more!

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