The drill press you are using most likely does not really have enough torque and spins too fast, and at that speed 1/16 interval steps will only burn the bit corners and lands, besides the fact that not having enough material for the drill to take a bite also causes chatter, the bit should be cutting at least one third of its diameter and sorry to say you really neet to find a way to use a heavier and slower running drill press,it can be done with the small press but it is a major PIA !! use of lube is of course mandatory,use old motor oil or cutting lube on the market 35 years of experience should count here

You can anneal the ball if this happens, and start over with a smaller bit. Go slow and lube often, let the bit cool, don't keep drilling if the chips stop coming out!

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Oh- and one more thing. Learn how to resharpen drill bits. Saves you a fortune in gas in trips to a store, drill bits and lost time.

Chiming in: slow, lube, pressure. My craftsman drill press has 4 or 5 speed step pulley, but still too fast to drill steel without brinelling. Once a hole is brinelled or work hardened, it will just eat up drill bits. If you're drilling and no more chips come out, it's probably work hardened and the bits aren't biting anymore.

Chiming in: slow, lube, pressure. My craftsman drill press has 4 or 5 speed step pulley, but still too fast to drill steel without brinelling. Once a hole is brinelled or work hardened, it will just eat up drill bits. If you're drilling and no more chips come out, it's probably work hardened and the bits aren't biting anymore.

I'll second this. Drill slow, use a lubricant- I almost always have a can of WD40 within reach- and if it isn't cutting with light pressure, it ain't gonna cut with heavy.

You can hold the ball by seating it in epoxy (heat after to 300F and the epoxy will let go), or superglue, or a custom fit wooden form just a bit smaller than the radius of the ball and squeeze it with a vise while drilling.

I'm trying to drill a 5/8" hole in a large (3") ball. Work holding is a problem, but I'll figure that out. I'm using my cheapo drill press and I'm getting chatter, bit stoppage, and "just won't drill" when the bit does turn. It's all good till I get to about 1/4" penetration.

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Also, if it's a true cheapo press (like a newer Craftsman, Delta, Ryobi, etc.), it's probably runs at speed more suited for woodworking.

Chiming in: slow, lube, pressure. My craftsman drill press has 4 or 5 speed step pulley, but still too fast to drill steel without brinelling. Once a hole is brinelled or work hardened, it will just eat up drill bits. If you're drilling and no more chips come out, it's probably work hardened and the bits aren't biting anymore.

with any solution you get new problems...never drill with gloves on and never drill a piece which is not securely held in place. Make sure bits are sharp and of the proper angle.

You can look for "silver and demming" drill sets where they allow for larger than you should use drill bits by having a smaller shank with a larger bit end....i.e. a 2" drill bit with a 1/2" shank into the chuck.....however, if your chuck can not hold the bit I'd say its too large to be used often anyway.

Thanks Ric, very helpful. It's funny that sometimes you actually know the answers but need to hear it from someone else. Machining is a real weak area for me.

Also, if it's a true cheapo press (like a newer Craftsman, Delta, Ryobi, etc.), it's probably runs at speed more suited for woodworking.

I'm positive it's soft, and they're way too cheap to be tool steel - they're very roughly forged balls, not ball bearings. There's no noticeable work hardening - I just jumped too big in bit size. I have the bits to jump in 16ths, so I'll take your advice.

I'm trying to drill a 5/8" hole in a large (3") ball. Work holding is a problem, but I'll figure that out. I'm using my cheapo drill press and I'm getting chatter, bit stoppage, and "just won't drill" when the bit does turn. It's all good till I get to about 1/4" penetration.

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The pilot hole as its called directs the next bit and allows it to track and to remove only the outer portion as the center is already gone.

with any solution you get new problems...never drill with gloves on and never drill a piece which is not securely held in place. Make sure bits are sharp and of the proper angle.

The drill press you are using most likely does not really have enough torque and spins too fast, and at that speed 1/16 interval steps will only burn the bit corners and lands, besides the fact that not having enough material for the drill to take a bite also causes chatter, the bit should be cutting at least one third of its diameter and sorry to say you really neet to find a way to use a heavier and slower running drill press,it can be done with the small press but it is a major PIA !! use of lube is of course mandatory,use old motor oil or cutting lube on the market 35 years of experience should count here

you can use steps of 1/16" if you have the bits or just go slower with larger jumps in size. If you have low hoersepower you need to take smaller jumps in drill size.

You can anneal the ball if this happens, and start over with a smaller bit. Go slow and lube often, let the bit cool, don't keep drilling if the chips stop coming out!

The pilot hole as its called directs the next bit and allows it to track and to remove only the outer portion as the center is already gone.

You can look for "silver and demming" drill sets where they allow for larger than you should use drill bits by having a smaller shank with a larger bit end....i.e. a 2" drill bit with a 1/2" shank into the chuck.....however, if your chuck can not hold the bit I'd say its too large to be used often anyway.

You can hold the ball by seating it in epoxy (heat after to 300F and the epoxy will let go), or superglue, or a custom fit wooden form just a bit smaller than the radius of the ball and squeeze it with a vise while drilling.

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And support the table because it will flex and the drill will lose alignment. That may stop or break the drill, but no mattr what you are asking a lot of a small drill press.

you can use steps of 1/16" if you have the bits or just go slower with larger jumps in size. If you have low hoersepower you need to take smaller jumps in drill size.

You can anneal the ball if this happens, and start over with a smaller bit. Go slow and lube often, let the bit cool, don't keep drilling if the chips stop coming out!