November 2016 – Dormer Pramet has developed a new range of tools for drilling spot welds and sheet metal. The new spot weld drills have been specifically designed for drilling out spot welds to release steel panels and sheets. A number of standard sizes are available to suit common spot welds found in the automotive and trailer repair industry.

Manufactured from high speed cobalt (HSS-E), the A723 drill, which has a bronze surface finish, offers high hot hardness to retain a sharp cutting edge under extreme conditions. A special lip and spur point geometry provides positive centring, while the sharp outer-corners cut the softer material around the spot weld.

The drills, launched under the company’s Dormer brand, feature a strong web for additional strength and improved penetration in tough conditions. Their short flute also gives stability when hand held drilling thin panels and sheet.

Dormer’s High Speed Steel (HSS) sheet metal drills are available in a number of standard sizes to suit common rivets, screws and bolts. Suitable for drilling thin sheet steel and panels, the A123 range features 120° point geometry with a short flute to provide easy penetration and rigidity in portable applications.

No body clearance further increases stability during drilling and breakthrough to give superior hole quality. Its thin web at the point provides excellent self-centring properties, while its steam tempered surface improves performance and reduces the chance of built-up edge. A double ended version (A119) is also available.

As part of the launch, several new sets have been added. This includes a ‘compact drill’ set (A087) featuring 19 popular sizes of its TiN coated A002 jobber drill for general purpose drilling, as well as a 19 and 25 piece set containing the A108 HSS quick spiral jobber drill for stainless steel (A188).

Meanwhile, to complement its existing range of centre drills, Dormer Pramet has introduced several new designs to further expand the applications covered. These include a HSS-E range of centre drills for tougher materials and environments, a flatted shank version for improved clamping, a long series option for increased reach and a line of solid carbide centre drills for hard and abrasive materials.

The new Dormer assortment has been manufactured with a flatted shank for use in custom centring heads specifically to support machining the ends of shafts. Their radius form increases cross sectional strength and therefore reduces the risk of breakage.