Center drill snapped on me during a critical job today

Running a tight tolerance part in 316 stainless and the center drill just snapped halfway through the cycle. Wasted 3 hours and scraped a $200 billet. Anyone else have center drills fail without warning?

2 comments

2 Comments

hernandez.jordan20d ago

Man, that is brutal. It's funny you mention it because I've started to notice this same kind of thing happening everywhere, not just in the shop. Like when you're trying to fix something simple around the house and the one screw just strips out, or you're almost done with a project and the last piece of wood splits. It's like the universe saves its biggest screw-ups for when you're already running out of time and money. Just seems like the world has a way of testing you right at the worst possible second. You ever feel like that, like it's some kind of unspoken rule?

perez.christopher25d ago

Man, that stinks. Was it a 120 degree or a standard 60? I've had that happen with 316 before too, especially if the material work hardens from a slightly dull edge. That sinking feeling when you hear that snap and check the part is the worst, and a $200 billet on top of a wasted 3 hours just adds insult to injury. I always feel like stainless is just waiting to wreck your day when you least expect it. Hope the next one goes smooth for you.