| howdy guys,
being a machinist myself, I have dealt with brass, bronze, aluminum, steel, copper etc.
The alloys such as brass and bronze tend to "grab" if your drill bit is too sharp and "chatter" if your end mill (milling machine)or cutting bit (lathe) is too sharp. Never "punch" through the metal with any type cutting bit, allow the bit to do the work and only take off as much metal as the bit will easily remove with the least amount of pressure from you. Also when drilling, just before you bit drills completely through, slow down and EASE the bit the rest of the way through the metal. Always bolt down your vise or grasp it firmly when working with these metals...I have seen the metal "grab" and actually lift the vise from the table.
There have been many times i have watched as a new employee was hit in the ribs by a piece of metal such as brass or bronze that "grabbed" the cutting bit and was pulled out of the vise and thrown at the operator.
have a good day and be safe,
greg
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