How do I drill holes in stainless steel cutlery to make a windchime?

[HC51]

I'd like to know if Bunnings drill holes in SS cutlery as I don't have a drill press any more. I've made lots of windchimes with cutlery and want to make some more. I have an electric Ryobi drill but no clamps but could borrow these.

 

What drill bit would work. I did break a few last time I made the holes using a drill press which I gave away. Can anyone help me in store or recommend where I can get help to drill a hole in the end of each fork knife and spoon about 12 pieces? Thanks.

[Noyade]

Afternoon @HC51 

"I don't have a drill press any more."

I don't think you need one in this case.

Centre punch first.

Bench.

Clamp.

Few drops of Venom lubricant.

Cobalt drill - I used a 5 mm drill.

All over in 15 seconds with a cordless drill.

Repeat X 12. 😉

Worth a try?

Cheers.

[Noyade]

Sorry I didn't see this (did the OP construction change - there was no photo?)

"no clamps but could borrow these"

They're cheap as chips - buy them anywhere. 👍

[JacobZ]

Hi @HC51,

A warm welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community and thank you for your question.

Unfortunately, no this is not a service Bunnings currently offer.

As @Noyade has said, there's really no need.

You have a drill, so you'll just need a clamp and some quality drill bits like these Sutton Viper Drill Bits.

A punch and some cutting oil will help, but you can manage without as long as you work slowly.

Stainless steel is soft, so you shouldn't have any trouble at all.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob

[HC51]

Thanks Noyade. Really on a budget here but will check out prices for them. Cheers.

[HC51]

Thanks Jacob will checkout your prices. Cheers.

[HC51]

Great thanks Noyade. I don't have bench any more either as now living in holiday park but will work out a way to do this. I'm pretty resourceful.

[Noyade]

Hi again @HC51 

"I'm pretty resourceful."

I'm sure you are. I was just now tinkering outside and would like to qualify something I said earlier.

"15 seconds."

Sure, for the forks and spoons, yes - but knife handles are a different matter altogether.

The one below is a solid 8mm thickness at the handle. I can now see why in the past you made these mobiles with the help of a drill press.

I still stand by the use of a cobalt drill and I tried drilling dry - but the cutting foam does make it quicker.

Note I gave up on the horizontal clamp and used a cheap little vice on a board. Might be worth thinking about if you have no bench?

I still used a cordless drill on low speed.

I sat on a stool and took regular breaks.

Took me five minutes.

Cheers and good luck with the mobiles.

[EricL]

Hi @Noyade 

Thank you for giving that project a live trial. I was wondering how many minutes it would take to drill into stainless steel. 

Eric

[Noyade]

"live trial"

I like that terminology @EricL  - OK if I use it in the future? 😁