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Drill Feeds and Speeds - Calculator
Different drilling conditions make it impossible to develop any rigid rules for feeds and speeds. The follwing tables contain guidelines that can be utilized when drilling standard materials. Also, the following "rules of thumb" can be used to determine proper feeds and speeds for drilling ferrous materials (note: varying conditions can easily require adjustments):
• Feed equals .001" per revolution for every 1/16" of drill diameter, plus or minus .001" on the
total
• Speed equals 90 surface feet per minute in 100 Brinell hardness material, and the speed
be reduced 10 surface feet per minute for each additional 50 points of Brinell hardness.
• Feed and speed rates should be reduced up to 45 to 50% when drilling holes deeper than 4
drill diameters.
Different drilling conditions make it impossible to develop any rigid rules for feeds and speeds. The follwing tables contain guidelines that can be utilized when drilling standard materials. Also, the following "rules of thumb" can be used to determine proper feeds and speeds for drilling ferrous materials (note: varying conditions can easily require adjustments):
• Feed equals .001" per revolution for every 1/16" of drill diameter, plus or minus .001" on the
total
• Speed equals 90 surface feet per minute in 100 Brinell hardness material, and the speed
be reduced 10 surface feet per minute for each additional 50 points of Brinell hardness.
• Feed and speed rates should be reduced up to 45 to 50% when drilling holes deeper than 4
drill diameters.
| Diameter of Drill - Inches | Feed Inches per Revolution |
| Under 1/8 | .001 to .003 |
| 1/8 to 1/4 | .002 to .006 |
| 1/4 to 1/2 | .004 to .010 |
| 1/2 to 1 inch | .007 to .015 |
| 1 inch and over | .015 to .025 |
Recommended feeds of various diameter drills
NOTE: It is best to start with a moderate speed and feed, increasing either one, or both, after observing the action and condition of the drill.
| Material | Recommended speed (sfm) |
| Aluminum and its Alloys | 200-300 |
| Brass and Bronze (ordinary) | 150-300 |
| Bronze (High Tensile) | 70-150 |
| Die Casting (Zinc Base) | 300-400 |
| Iron - Cast (soft) -Cast (medium hard) Hard Chilled Malleable |
75-125 50-100 10-20 80-90 |
| Magnesium and its Alloys | 250-400 |
| Monel Metal or High-Nickel Steel | 30-50 |
| Plastics or Similar Materials | 100-300 |
| Steel Mild .2 carbon to .3 carbon Steel .4 carbon to .5 carbon Tool 1.2 carbon Forgings Alloy - 300 to 400 Brinell |
80-110 70-80 50-60 40-50 20-30 |
| High Tensile (Heat Treated) |
Recommended speeds for standard materials with H.S.S. drills