Bolt on hooks

atsah · Mar 20, 2019

A good quality battery impact with a quality step bit does wonders..

Botaskinner · Mar 20, 2019

Ummm, love the smell of Tap Magic, takes me back to my precision sheetmetal days in my youth. That stuff is awesome, especially when drilling and machining aluminum.

But the advice about starting with a small pilot hole is absolutely spot on.

Also I used a cheap HF step drill in the sides of my loader when Installed my Piranha tooth bar..took at most 2 minutes per side.

PILOON · Mar 20, 2019

Pilot holes and good quality bits.
With Dormer drill bits you can't go wrong and a decent lubricant AKA, cutting oil.

Also slow speed and never let the drill bit get hot.

On the other hand I have purchased some 'el cheepo' bits that have really surprise me as to their capability.
Often their downfall is that they are simply too brittle but they do cut well.

When it comes to metal drilling SLOW speed is your friend. (and cutting oil)

Also I know how to sharpen my bits and that helps.

WranglerX · Mar 21, 2019

A company I worked for years ago was having a real problem with employees going through large drill bits from improper use and also injures (wrenched wrists) from large diameter drill bits grabbing materials and stop spinning while drill motor wanted to keep going.....They went to this type of tapered reamer shown below, they are pass through reamers, if not abused cut wonderfully and do not have tenancy to grab material and bind up.... Real requirement is you drill large enough pilot hole to accept reamer tip... IF you can find them and get them you will never want to use large diameter twist drill again...

Also for really big work (3PH hitch pins and such), look towards a "bridge" or "car" reamer, yes expensive but worth it if you have lots of large holes to drill........

Dale

Sawyer Rob · Mar 21, 2019

No question about it, Tap Magic is fantastic stuff!

I keep a can it around for all of my drilling/tapping.

SR

Big Barn · Mar 21, 2019

I would agree with having hooks AND a provision for a shackle if possible. I usually weld on mine.

rangerfredbob · Mar 21, 2019

If drilling holes for 3pt pins simply use a hole saw, they are made down to 9/16" and work wonders, when I lowered the pins on my brush hog I used a hole saw and was done in a couple minutes...

All this talk makes me want to rework my bucket...

atsah · Mar 21, 2019

rangerfredbob said:
If drilling holes for 3pt pins simply use a hole saw, they are made down to 9/16" and work wonders, when I lowered the pins on my brush hog I used a hole saw and was done in a couple minutes...

All this talk makes me want to rework my bucket...

Yup hole saws work great as well..