Suggested drilling feed rates

Estimated drilling feed rates (inches per revolution) by material, Brinell hardness, and hole diameter.

This chart shows estimated numbers only. AutoDrill normally suggests running conservative speeds and feeds whenever cycle time is not critical—controlling heat build-up and taking a proper cut produces a cleaner hole and longer tool life. Some materials such as stainless steel drill better with an aggressive cut, since the drill passes through fresh, cool material rather than an area heated by the previous pass. Always check with the tooling manufacturer for suggested RPM, thrust, and feed rates.

Suggested drilling feed rates (inches per revolution)
Material Brinell hardness Hole diameter
1/16″ 1/8 1/4 1/2 3/4 1 1 1/2 2
Aluminum 99-101 .001 .003 .007 .012 .016 .020 .025 .030
Aluminum Bronze 170-187 .001 .003 .004 .008 .010 .012 .015 .020
Balkelite – .002 .005 .006 .008 .010 .012 .015 .015
Brass 192-202 .001 .003 .004 .008 .012 .018 .020 .022
Bronze, Common 166-183 .001 .003 .004 .008 .012 .018 .020 .022
Bronze Phos.; 1/2 Hard 187-202 .001 .003 .004 .008 .010 .012 .015 .020
Bronze Phos.; Soft 149-163 .001 .003 .004 .008 .012 .018 .020 .022
Celluloid – .002 .004 .005 .006 .006 .008 .008 .010
Copper 80-85 .001 .003 .004 .008 .010 .012 .015 .020
Copper Mang.; 30% Mn 134 .001 .003 .005 .007 .009 .012 .014 .016
Duralumin 90-104 .001 .003 .005 .010 .015 .018 .020 .025
Iron, Cast; Med Soft 196 .001 .003 .005 .008 .010 .012 .014 .015
Iron, Cast; Hard 293-302 – .001 .003 .005 .007 .009 .012 .012
Iron, Cast; Chilled 402 – .001 .003 .005 .007 .009 .011 .011
Iron, Malleable 112-126 – .002 .004 .007 .010 .012 .015 .018
Monel 149-170 – .002 .003 .006 .008 .010 .012 .015
Nickel, Pure 187-202 – .002 .003 .006 .008 .015 .018 .020
Nickel, Steel; 3 1/2% 196-241 – .002 .003 .006 .008 .010 .012 .015
Rubber, Hard – .005 .010 .012 .015 .018 .020 .025 .030
Screw Stock, C.R. 170-196 .001 .003 .004 .007 .010 .012 .015 .018
Stl, Carbon 175-225 .001 .003 .004 .007 .010 .012 .015 .018
Stl, Drop Forged 170-196 .001 .002 .004 .007 .010 .012 .015 .018
Stl, Machinery 170-196 .001 .003 .005 .009 .012 .013 .018 .022
Stl, Magnet; Soft 241-302 – .002 .003 .006 .008 .009 .010 .011
Stl, Magnet; Hard 321-512 – .0005 .001 .002 .002 .003 .003 .004
Stl, Mang.; 7-13% 187-217 – .0005 .001 .002 .002 .003 .003 .004
Stl, Mild; .20-.30C 170-202 .001 .003 .005 .010 .015 .018 .020 .025
Stl, Molybdenum 196-235 – .002 .004 .006 .010 .012 .015 .018
Stl, Spring 402 – .002 .003 .005 .007 .009 .010 .010
Stl, Stainless 150-225 .001 .002 .004 .006 .008 .011 .013 .016
Stl, Stainless 460-520 – .0005 .001 .002 .002 .003 .003 .004
Stl, .40-.50C 170-196 .001 .002 .004 .007 .010 .012 .015 .018
Stl, Struct; A-36 160 .001 .003 .005 .010 .015 .018 .020 .025
Stl, Tool; SAE, Forged 149 – .002 .003 .006 .009 .011 .014 .016
Stl, Tool; SAE, Forged 402 — .0005 .001 .002 .002 .003 .003 .004
Zinc, Alloy 112-126 .002 .003 .007 .012 .016 .018 .020 .025