Skip to content

6061 aluminum drilling RPM

Calculate drill RPM for 6061 aluminum from bit diameter, with an editable cutting-speed reference and spindle limit.

Calculate

Starting estimates only. Use the cutter supplier’s data and your machine’s limits for the actual operation.

Result

Enter your values, then calculate.

Calculation method

RPM = 1000Vc/(πD). Feed = RPM × feed/rev; milling multiplies chip load by flute count.

LittleMachineShop cutting speed tablesMethod 2026-10-05.1. Independent review pending.

All drilling speed and feed settings 304 stainless steel drilling RPM Low-carbon steel drilling RPM Brass drilling RPM Cast iron drilling RPM

Setting up a drill for 6061 aluminum

Reference preset: 6061 aluminum drilling RPM. These notes describe the original preset, not changes made in the calculator above.

This page selects the existing wrought-aluminum reference. The general table is a starting point, not data for every temper, drill geometry, coating, or coolant condition. The RPM calculation uses the diameter at the cutting edge; the shank diameter does not determine surface speed.

The reference is 350 ft/min, equivalent to 106.68 m/min. At a 10 mm diameter, that gives approximately 3,396 RPM before the machine limit. At 20 mm it gives approximately 1,698 RPM. Use the supplier cutting-data control to replace the reference when you have data for the actual drill. These speeds are arithmetic examples, not an approved machining procedure.

After choosing an available spindle speed, use the surface-speed mode to check the speed at the edge. Feed requires a separate per-revolution value; the aluminum selection does not determine a universal drilling feed. Hole depth, chip removal, clamping, and breakthrough conditions still need a suitable process.

Calculating drill RPM from diameter and material

For a drill diameter D in millimeters and cutting speed V in meters per minute, RPM is 1000 × V ÷ (π × D). A larger drill needs a lower RPM to keep the same speed at its outer edge. Choose the work material, enter the drill diameter, and check the calculated speed against the speeds available on your machine.

When to enter your own cutting speed

The material presets are starting values for the stated tool basis, not recommendations for every drill. Use the tool manufacturer's data for a coated, carbide, indexable, or otherwise specialized drill. Deep holes, interrupted cuts, poor support, and limited coolant may need a different process.

Feed and drilling time

Feed per revolution describes how far the drill advances in one turn. Multiplying it by RPM gives feed per minute. The drilling-time estimate covers the entered cutting travel; pecking, retracts, approach moves, and handling add time. Do not treat that estimate as a complete production cycle.

Moving from a calculated speed to a machine setting

For a 10 mm drill and a chosen cutting speed of 20 m/min, the equation gives about 637 RPM. At the same cutting speed, a 20 mm drill requires about 318 RPM. Diameter is in the denominator, so doubling diameter halves RPM. These examples use an assumed cutting speed to illustrate the relationship, not a material-specific recommendation.

A stepped-speed drill press may not offer the exact calculated RPM. Choose a setting using the tool and machine guidance, then use the surface-speed mode to see what that setting actually produces. If a drilling feed of 0.1 mm per revolution is used at 600 RPM, feed is 60 mm/min. A 30 mm cutting travel would take half a minute at that steady feed. The drill point, breakthrough, peck cycles, and approach allowance can change the travel or elapsed time needed. Record the selected machine speed rather than retaining an unattainable theoretical RPM in a job setup sheet.

Formula

RPM = 1000Vc/(πD). Feed = RPM × feed/rev; milling multiplies chip load by flute count.

Embed this calculator

Paste this HTML into a page that accepts iframes. The widget uses the same calculation method and keeps its warnings visible. No account is needed.

Embed HTML

<iframe src="https://engineerbench.com/embed/drilling-and-reaming/" title="Drilling speed and feed calculator by EngineerBench" width="100%" height="820" style="border:1px solid #d7dde5;border-radius:8px" loading="lazy" sandbox="allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox" allow="clipboard-write" referrerpolicy="no-referrer"></iframe>
<p><a href="https://engineerbench.com/calculators/drilling-and-reaming/" rel="nofollow">Calculator by EngineerBench</a></p>

Adjust the height to suit your page. Saved work is not available inside the widget. Preview addresses are temporary; use the permanent site address for a published embed.