Drilling operation on workpiece using Lathe Machine !

Drilling operation generates a cylindrical hole in a solid material. A rotating drill bit is used which is a multi-point cutting tool. It is pressed into the workpiece to remove chips of material to make desired size i.e. as per the specification. 

Performing a drilling operation on a Lathe Machine:

The drill bit is mounted in the tailstock and fed into the rotating workpiece to create a hole , the sequence followed is described below.  

Steps for Drilling on a Lathe :

Prepare the Workpiece: 

Ensure the end of the workpiece (where hole is to be done) is faced (smoothed) before drilling.

Mount the Center Drill: 

Fit the center drill in the drill chuck and then inert this drill chuck into the tailstock. 

Align and Drill: 

Slide the tailstock towards the workpiece and feed the center drill in workpiece to create a pilot hole. During this process stop when the tapered section is reached.

Mount the Twist Drill: 

Once the center drilling is done insert the appropriate size twist drill bit into the chuck.

Drill the Hole: 

Using tailstock handle advance the drill into the workpiece, simultaneously use cutting oil for lubrication purpose. 

Chip Breaking: 

During this operation, periodically withdraw the drill to break chips hence preventing clogging and excessive heat or binding. 

Reaming Operation(Optional): 

For high-precision holes, a reaming operation may follow the drilling process for desired finishing. 

Large Drilling Operations:

For larger drilling operations, a heavy-duty lathe with sufficient swing capacity is needed.