That is the technique I was taught. Pilot hole slightly larger than the web of the drill for finish size. Pilot hole, finish drill, no steps in between. The finish drill employs the majority of its cutting lip to get the job done. Going in small steps focuses the cutting forces on only the far outer edge of the cutting lip, and dulls it quickly.Usually I drill a 1/4 to 3/8 inch hole all the way through and then drill with the one inch bit and use lots of cutting oil at 60 or so RPM.
No backgear. Yeah it is smoking. I might try the drill press. It’s at 200RPM.Does the mill head have a back-gear function? 315 is was too fast!!! Figure the surface feet at the edge of the bit. It's cooking ,ie getting very hot! I have a very old flat belt machine with #4 Morse Taper. This beast has a back gear and auto down feed. I drilled a hole 2 1/4" thru 1" A36. Very slow but a pretty hole. Not reamed quality but better than you would have thought. I watched it and applied cutting oil as needed. 1/4" pilot and then full size.
Jesus I can tell all you old crotchety experts have never done any thing with a smithy any thing. Well I have used to and old 1220 XL smithy for years before I got my current, the op is not an apprentice of any thing he has what he has, no carbide indexable drills or end mills. Just a deasent drill set. The smithy realy was not really a versitile machine. It was an entery level, and not much better than a drill press. Just go slow and use small steps. If you want a set aaof MT 3 collects I have a set I used on my Smithy. Hardly used some not used at all. The smithy will do it just not at production speed.
CH
I am seeing a lot of smoke/vapor..using a ton of tapomatic. I reduce speed but it is hard to keep the smoke away (manual feed). Is the smoke/vapor ok?Drilling at 006 feed is just eating up bits.,drilling an extra 1/8 at a time is wearing off the margin,and eating up bits...........for harder steels ,reduce the speed ,never the feed.......my Richmond radial drill isnt a powerhouse ,but will easily drill 1" holes thru wearplate.with ordinary HSS drills....and plenty of suds.......you got to keep the heat down,if the chip blues with suds,slow down a bit