Need Help! Drilling Copper

I've been trying to drill some very small and deep holes in copper for the last 2 hours.... I've had to restart 4 times now due to broken drill bits...
The project requires me to drill a hole 1.5" through the center of a half inch copper rod. The hole diameter is a #55 bit (.052").
I've been using a lathe to turn the copper with the bit in the quill. I can usually get the hole drilled in about half an inch on either side before the bit snapps...
Any suggestions?

Thanks
al'Thor