Cutting oil

[Dave22]

I'm about to start drilling and riveting my aluminum panels. I've seen kits include a hundred 1/8 drill bits which indicates to me that you would not use cutting oil. Is there a reason not to use oil ?
Dave

[michael everson]

Other than the mess there no reason not to. I have built nearly 60 kits and have never felt the need to use oil.
Mike

[edwardb]

I go through maybe 5-6 during a complete build. Sometimes they break. Sometimes they just get dull and stop cutting. No oil. One hundred bits would be crazy...

[ram_g]

Dunno about a hundred, but also pretty amazed that Paul has only broken 5-6 during a build! I've broken or thrown out way more than that during my one build - maybe 20 or 30?

I used cutting oil only in a few unusually difficult situations, not the vast majority of the holes.

[Bob Cowan]

Cutting oil keeps the bit cool, lubricates the flutes, clears chips faster, and makes for a cleaner hole. When I did all my panels, I put a small amount in the cap, and dipped the end of the bit in to that. It doesn't make much of a mess, because you're only using a tiny drop.

I also suggest buying a Drill Dr. The ability to sharpen bits often will really make your life a lot easier. It's a small investment with a huge return.

I only used 1-2 #30 drill bits during the build. And I'm still using one of those bits now. I think I lost the other one.

[mikeinatlanta]

I use a product similar to this. Once the bit is warm it will melt a perfect amount on the tip. One tub will last many years. I've have mine over 20.
51495

[WIS89]

+1 on Mike's paste. It is also a bit cleaner than cutting oil, although just dipping the bit in a bit of oil (as Bob describes above) is far cleaner than spraying the area to be drilled or spraying the drill bit itself.

I only used 3 or 4 bits, mostly because I broke them, with only one becoming unserviceable due to becoming dull. I found a five pack of Bosch bits on Amazon for only a few dollars, and they have worked very well.

Best of luck as you get started!

Regards,

Steve

[Dave22]

Thanks guys !