Breaking in my new toys... from Yeehaw! to Uh oh!

Danno1 · Sep 26, 2007

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Here ya go............

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sandman2234 · Sep 26, 2007

sandman2234 said:
I would go with the 17/32 or 33/64's rather than a 9/16, unless I didn't have them, and did have a 9/16. If your going to buy a drill, and they have the 33/64ths, that is what I would use with a second close as the 17/32".
I personally think the step drill is better suited for sheetmetal, rather than 1/4" plate, but do what you think is best. Whatever you do, go slow and use plenty of cutting oil to save the bit from heat.
David from jax

I wasn't kidding about the 17/32 either. They both exist.
Danno1,
I appreciate your support and watching my back for me. No telling when somebody is going to doubt your word.
David from jax

Spiveyman · Sep 26, 2007

OK, you guys are killing me. I guess this is where I post the formal apology to sandman and 3RRL - sorry to ever doubt your machine shop prowess.

Thanks Danno for making real the saying, "be careful what you ask for."

Shall I further highlight how handy I'm not?

At least you all will believe me when I say that I'm not so handy. I think I'll just have the dude come torch it since I'm obviously not qualified to drill this hole.

So to break this down:
1/2 inch hole, 0.5 inches, 12.7 mm.
9/16", .5625", 14.2875mm
17/32", 0.53125", 13.49375
33/64", 0.515625", 13.096875mm

Keep in mind I can't exactly plop that bucket on a press. So by hand, holding the drill horizontally, probably with one hand while dripping oil here and there, kneeling over in the dried manure on the floor of the barn, under dim indirect light, while sweating profusely... I'm going to drill this dang hole??? I can say one thing with almost absolute certainty. I could drill that hole with any one of those bits and I bet CSI couldn't ascertain which bit I used by looking at the hole!!

After further thought, I think I'm just going to use Gorilla Glue.

sandman2234 · Sep 26, 2007

You do have a magnetic base drill don't you? (Yes they make one of those also)
Apology accepted, mainly cause we are just here to have fun and learn stuff, and I was pulling your leg about being upset about being doubted.
Life is good, I got my JD running again!!
David from jax

4209-1 Milwaukee Electromagnetic Drill Press

jbrumberg · Sep 27, 2007

Keep in mind I can't exactly plop that bucket on a press. So by hand, holding the drill horizontally, probably with one hand while dripping oil here and there, kneeling over in the dried manure on the floor of the barn, under dim indirect light, while sweating profusely... I'm going to drill this dang hole??? I can say one thing with almost absolute certainty. I could drill that hole with any one of those bits and I bet CSI couldn't ascertain which bit I used by looking at the hole!!

Spiveyman et. al.

I will admit to all that my two very carefully measured holes resulted in two perfectly matching but slightly "egged" (ultimately) holes

for my bolt-over the bolt-on cutting bar toothbar sold by NH. The "straight and true" holes are not mine

. My operational environment was similar to Spiveyman's minus the barn and I had a lot of doggie poo to circumnavigate

. I am not overjoyed by the cost or sizing-fit of the NH toothbar with my bucket and/or my "dead eye" measurement, but I am very happy with the utility of the toothbar.

john_bud · Sep 27, 2007

As with most things, Spiveyman, you'll probably find that more time is spent actively not do it that will be needed to actually do it.

What I'm saying is, buy a center punch, hammer to hit it, 1/8", 1/4", 3/8" and the final 17/32" bit. Drill each one, spinning the drill progressively slower. As you get to the last bit of hole to drill out - lighten up the pressure so the bit won't grab.

You can get a drill (B&D) with a built in level for only $5 more than the bottom of the bucket drill.

Last point, you do know that the FEL can actually be raised up to a convenient working height? Turn on the engine and manipulate the lever looking thing on the right.... No need to be kneeling in steaming piles of organic growth medium (AKA pile-o-politician promises).

jb

Spiveyman · Sep 27, 2007

sandman2234 said:
You do have a magnetic base drill don't you?

Do I sound like the kind of guy who would have a magnetic base drill?!?! HA! That is great! My feeling of inadequacy is now complete.

So does this mean that you don't think my drill will have enough umph to get the job done? Here's a picture of it:

(Glad to hear the JD is back among the living.)

jbrumberg said:
...two very carefully measured holes resulted in two perfectly matching but slightly "egged" (ultimately) holes..

Um huh? My point exactly,

so in the non-egged dimension I presume you held it to exactly 0.515625". Right?

john_bud said:
Last point, you do know that the FEL can actually be raised up to a convenient working height? Turn on the engine and manipulate the lever looking thing on the right.... No need to be kneeling in steaming piles of organic growth medium (AKA pile-o-politician promises).

So that's what that little black joy-stick thingy on the right side is!!! That will help a ton when I'm driving my tractor around, I won't be scalping the fields with the FEL now!

(JB, Just between you and me... that kneeling in the manure thing was for effect.)

john_bud said:
You can get a drill (B&D) with a built in level for only $5 more than the bottom of the bucket drill.

Yep, actually have a real nice cordless with the levels on top and back-side, but will probably pick up a corded version for some extra umph.

john_bud said:
What I'm saying is, buy a center punch, hammer to hit it, 1/8", 1/4", 3/8" and the final 17/32" bit. Drill each one, spinning the drill progressively slower. As you get to the last bit of hole to drill out - lighten up the pressure so the bit won't grab.

Sadly, all kidding aside, this is the first time that sunk in. I do have the center punch already, and an assortment of hammers that should get the job done, and an assortment of bits, though I will likely need to get a >1/2" bit.
Wow - all of this over drilling a hole. Can you imagine the length of the thread when I start my 3RRL-type mod's?!?!?!

JC-jetro · Sep 27, 2007

No particular comments to make, but this post lightens my day... keep up the good work gents

jbrumberg · Sep 27, 2007

I kind of did what john_bud suggested with the inclusion of one of those step drill bit thingies before I ended up using a 5/8"/0.625"/15.5mm drill bit. I am a therapist not a tool and die/machinist guy- I just let those holes
"self-actualize"

. A big enough washer will hide the "handiwork"

. Jay

Danno1 · Sep 27, 2007

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Spivey,

I wasn't trying to give you a hard time. I really was just trying to show you that there are all kinds of cutting tools out there. Including metrics in half mm (or less maybe) increments.

Anyway FWIW, I have a nice corded DeWalt and an 18 V cordless DW. A few years back I had to drive some lag screws through 4x4s into 2x12s. The cordless actually had more torque!!! Still had to finish them off w a ratchet though.

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