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.
Browse related tools, then check the product specifications against your material, dimensions, and setup.