The MachinistPost Blog

The geometry, parameter, and technique changes that minimize burr formation on drilled holes.

How to select drill and reamer sizes to hit H7 and other tight tolerance holes reliably.

When to drill to size and when to pre-drill and ream, based on the tolerance your part demands.

How to read and apply speed-and-feed charts correctly for consistent, predictable drilling results.

A detailed guide to using chip shape, color, and size to diagnose drill performance issues.

How to read drilling chips as a real-time diagnostic tool for speed, feed, and geometry problems.

The rules for running a 3/4" drill don't apply to a 1/16" drill. Geometry, feeds, speeds, and even the way you think about cutting all change at small diameters.

Robotic loading cells change the variables around drilling. Consistent fixturing is an advantage. Unmonitored drift is a serious risk. Here's what to manage.

The sizing ratios and conditions that determine whether a pilot hole will help or hurt your drilling operation.

How to select the right pilot hole size for large-diameter drilling to reduce thrust and improve accuracy.

Everything you need to know about pilot holes, when to use them, how to size them, and common mistakes.

How pilot hole diameter affects the full-size drill performance, life, and hole quality.

Both angles are standard. Both come on quality HSS drills. But they behave differently in the cut in ways that matter for production work. Here's what actually changes between 118° and 135°.

A decision-tree guide to knowing when a pilot hole is necessary and what size to use.

How to use peck drilling to manage stringy chips in aluminum, steel, and other long-chip materials.

When peck drilling is the right strategy and how to dial in the right peck increment for your material.

What parabolic flute geometry does for chip evacuation and when it is worth using over standard flutes.

Point angle is one of the most powerful variables you control when resharpening HSS drills. Here's a practical reference for matching drill geometry to the material on your table.

The specific challenges of sub-eighth-inch drilling and the setup changes that solve each one.

Techniques, speeds, and precautions for drilling small-diameter holes with HSS bits without snapping them.

How to manage deflection, chatter, and chip evacuation when drilling deep with extended-reach setups.

The applications where left-hand drill bits shine and the geometry that makes them work.

How left-hand drill bit geometry works and when it is the right tool for the job.

What to check on a drill bit before every use to catch problems that scrap parts and break tools.