Sounds like you got Chinese Drill bits.
Sometimes bumpers are heat treated and require a quality sharp drill bit and
a little light weight oil to get started.
Might also start with a smaller 1/8" bit as a pilot and then go to the 1/4"
bit.
If you think that bumper is tough you need to try some good quality
stainless steel, saliva is the best lubricant on stainless.

Stan Wilder

----- Original Message -----
From: "Craig Oda" <craigoda@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, May 14, 2004 2:43 PM
Subject: drilling through sheet metal?

> Is it possible to drill through sheet metal with a hand drill?  I have
> cobalt bits and a standard Sears drill.
>
> My front license plate fell off and the screw that kept it on the
> front bumper snapped off.  I want to drill another hole into the front
> bumper to mount the license plate properly.  I tried to drill a hole
> into the front bumper for about 30 minutes and could not.
>
> I've also tried to drill a hole into the pillar where the fire
> extinguisher is attached to.  I haven't had any luck here either.
>
> Are there any special techniques?  Or, do I need special tools?
>
> Thanks.
>
> BTW, I also appreciate all the feedback I got about my surf racks for
> the Westy.  In a strange coincidence, the guy that sold me the long
> board had a set of Yakima gutter-mount racks for sale.  Thanks to
> people on this list, I knew about the side-mount fake gutters for
> Yakima.  So, I bought the surf racks from the guy and mounted the
> racks pretty easily with some parts I picked up from the local REI.