Aircraft bits who uses them?

[Uncle Buck]

I have a small assortment of what I know to be called "Aircraft Bits" really nothing more than a normal HS steel twist drill bit that is about a foot long. I have a basic assortment in standard sizes ranging from 3/16"-9/16" I have only used a couple of them once or twice in the years that I have owned them. Does anyone else have some and do you use them on a regular basis? If so for what? (I know what they are supposed to be used for, I just do not need to use mine much!)

 

[ni[x]it]

Yes, I have about 25 or 30 of them.

Just like you said, a regular drill bit with about 2" of actual cutting bit, and the rest is a solid shaft.
All mine are very small .098" through .250"... quite a few duplicates.

The smaller ones are hard to work with, as they tend to bow out with anything more then very light pressure.

I like to use mine when I can't get a drill bit into a tight space, that a very long bit reaches easily.

Places like the yard (http://www.yardstore.com/) I thought used to carry them.
Here are some 6" bits; http://www.westerntool.com/subgrouping.htm?cat=11258

 

[Uncle Buck]

Yes, I have about 25 or 30 of them.

Just like you said, a regular drill bit with about 2" of actual cutting bit, and the rest is a solid shaft.
All mine are very small .098" through .250"... quite a few duplicates.

The smaller ones are hard to work with, as they tend to bow out with anything more then very light pressure.

I like to use mine when I can't get a drill bit into a tight space, that a very long bit reaches easily.

Places like the yard (http://www.yardstore.com/) I thought used to carry them.
Here are some 6" bits; http://www.westerntool.com/subgrouping.htm?cat=11258

I was surprised to see your referrence to The Yard Store. I hit that place every time I make it to Wichita! I love that place! I figure it was likely better years ago when the aircraft industry was riding high. Stll great fun though!

 

[Jbullfrog]

Recently overhaul sets have cam bearings with a smaller oil hole. Aircraft bits allow you to install the bearing and then re-drill the hole so it ligns up correctly.

 

[OldCarGuy]

It may not be too often; but nothing will substitute a long drill. I have collected many regular long drill bits over the years. In lengths to 24" that are as large as 3/4" diameter. Along with this set from 1/8" to 1/ 2" by 1/64" that are 12" long. And when all else fails, I will weld a long extension to a drill bit. Thus making my own aircraft bits as long as 36".....

 

[89MustangGX]

Ok, I may regret asking, but why do they call them aircraft bits? I work for Boeing and I've never used a bit longer than 6" nor do I think I've ever even seen one around...

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Ok, I may regret asking, but why do they call them aircraft bits? I work for Boeing and I've never used a bit longer than 6" nor do I think I've ever even seen one around...

They are quite common in aircraft repair. They let you get into some pretty tight places the drill and chuck won't go at all if you used a regular bit.

Charles

 

[89MustangGX]

They are quite common in aircraft repair. They let you get into some pretty tight places the drill and chuck won't go at all if you used a regular bit.

Charles

That makes sense. I don't do any major rework, so I probably would have had no reason to use them in the past.

Adam

 

[nissan_crawler]

I use them on our planes all the time. It's all that will reach sometimes, plus they're flexible, so if you can't quit get on a rivet right to drill it out, you can flex the bit to get a straight hole if you know what you're doing.

I also use it when lag bolting 2x and 4x or 4x and 4x lumber together.

 

[Kevin54]

The long bits are a common item in a machining type enviroment. In building tools or doing prototypes, there are many times that you have to drill close to a wall in the part and the chuck and standard length bit will not fit, so you use a long centerdrill and a long bit. But they are also handy in home repair. When we were running a gas line for the furnace in the garage, I know where it would be going on the inside, but measuring outside would have been a little tricky to get the hole exacly lined up with the inside hole. With a long bit, it goes thru both inner and outer wall so the plumbing will line up. They don't get used all the time, but in certain cases very handy to have.

 

[Bob Paulin]

Actually, I use them several times a week on my lathe to drill out racing shock absorber shafts in order to install adjustable bleeds.

 

[comp]

Actually, I use them several times a week on my lathe to drill out racing shock absorber shafts in order to install adjustable bleeds.

more info please

 

[russlaferrera]

Great for running telephone/alarm wiring thru floors, walls, ceilings

 

[Bob Paulin]

Actually, I use them several times a week on my lathe to drill out racing shock absorber shafts in order to install adjustable bleeds.

more info please

I set the shock shaft up on a three-jaw chuck in the headstock, usually start with a shorter drill bit in a drill chuck set in the tail stock to get a good straight shot, then change to the longer bit, and drill the shaft through.

Depending on what I plan to do, I might drill two different sizes from one or both ends.

If the application requires it, I can also tap threads while the shaft is in the chuck, or set the bottom of the shaft up for an externally accessible bleed jet.