On May 21, 12:34*pm, "Joe AutoDrill" wrote:
We think that either a stationary bar next to the tool or some type of peck
cycle will help solve the issue but given the fact that we're two days into
the 2" diameter process, I figure we're doing okay.

I've never had any success with a post beside the hole. Most steels
are too flexible to get caught and break, especially if you can't
harden the chip by having a high surface speed (carbide).

Pecking is good but from the videos you're losing a lot of time with
retract speed. Also, you may experience high cutter wear because the
pneumatic cylinder has some squish to it as the cutter makes contact
with the work. You get rubbing instead of cutting for a brief instant,
which can be pretty nasty on alloy and stainless steels. Hydraulic
would be better, though a lot more of a pain if you don't already have
all the support equipment. Much more controllable too.

I guess you don't have the torque and linear force to run an indexable
drill? They have excellent chip breaking capability.

You can get indexable trepanning tools but they usually start at Ø3"+
and they look pricey.

Regards,

Robin