Machining knowledge, made practical
Interactive TechTip
Enter the drill, the surface speed and the feed per revolution. Everything else — spindle speed, table feed, chip load, removal rate and cycle time — updates as you type.
Use these as a first setting, then adjust for rigidity, coolant delivery and hole depth. Feed per revolution scales with diameter — a common starting point is roughly 1% of drill diameter in steel.
| Material | SFM | m/min | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum & non-ferrous | 300 – 600 | 90 – 180 | Watch chip packing; peck on deep holes |
| Low carbon steel (1018) | 200 – 350 | 60 – 105 | Through-coolant helps above 3×D |
| Alloy steel (4140) | 150 – 250 | 45 – 75 | Rigid setup matters more than speed |
| Stainless (304 / 316) | 100 – 180 | 30 – 55 | Keep feeding; dwelling work-hardens the hole |
| Cast iron | 200 – 350 | 60 – 105 | Abrasive dust; air blast if running dry |
| Titanium (Ti-6Al-4V) | 60 – 120 | 18 – 36 | Heat stays in the tool; flood coolant |
| Inconel & HRSA | 30 – 60 | 9 – 18 | Short, rigid drills only |
Make the hole
The numbers only hold if the drill does. Solid carbide drills stocked in Michigan, ground for round, on-size holes.
Jobber Drills → Screw Machine Drills Center Drills Tap Drill CalculatorCycle time is cutting time only — it does not include rapid approach, peck retracts or dwell. Removal rate assumes a full-diameter hole in solid material. All figures are theoretical starting points; confirm against your machine, holder and coolant setup.
Make the hole
The right drill geometry keeps the hole round, on size, and on center. Solid carbide drills, ground and stocked in Michigan.