How to drill holes in metal...correctly? => 10 photos

 Anyone can drill a hole, agree? But to 'drill a hole correctly', this is what we are aiming to do today.

 Why did I use a round bur to partially drill a hole? The answer is relatively easy, if I didn't, the twist-drill would be running around and not cutting any hole. This mini-hole aligns the drill to stay in one place. This is so very important in the first step of drilling any hole. 

 

 The 'twist drill' must never start the drilling process at an angle (as shown here) because the drill hole will also be on an angle and we don't want this to happen, do we?

 The best placement of the drill will be held in a vertical position.

 Before and during any drilling, the twist-drill must always be well-lubricated. This is to prevent overheating of the steel drill and aid in removing any metal residue. 

  This twist drill will literally overheat in seconds if there is no oil in the hole.

 Here you can easily see that the oil is clearly seen around the hole. I like to 'flood the hole' and surrounding metal with this lubricating oil.

 The twist drill is now been put to good use. I will drill through the metal with the aid of oil I want the drill to keep drilling until it has cleared the metal underneath

 This is the residue of metal, I painted the ring as I wanted the subsequent holes to be in one continuous line. 

 I located another thicker ring for drilling and again kept this thicker ring absolutely flooded with oil.

Please be aware that overheating of metal will even cause the steel to break during the drilling process. This is the most difficult aspect of drilling holes, if any steel is remaining in the ring, the chances of it being removed can be a major problem. 

 I would carefully lower my twist drill deeper into the ring in segments. Drill, remove, oil, drill again, remove and use oil.

 All of this is not an easy task but look at what could happen if there was not enough oil being used..OUCH! 

 In my collection of twist drills at my bench, I have drills ranging from 0.35mm up to 1.47mm. Each of them has its own purpose, being a gemstone setter these drills are important to be kept in a wooden box and not just lying around getting damaged.