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Can you recommend good drill bits for safety wiring?
- Thread starter jgelack
- Start date
rlitman
Well-known member
Jobber length is the normal size. The short ones are "stub" or "screw machine" drills.
This. Mechanic's length is in the middle of this.
Buy fasteners that already have the safety-wire holes in them.
Because do you really want to try and drill through hardened bolt heads with a pretty small diameter drill bit?
You're not really going to do that by hand. You'll take each fastener off, clamp and position it in a mill or a decent drill press (which means you'll need that mill or drill press AND some decent mill/drill machinist's vise as well as the drill bits), drill the small diameter holes, clean and deburr those small diameter holes, and then reinstall the fasteners.
https://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/general/difficulty-drilling-nuts-bolts-safety-wire-326365/
And do you need to have safety wire? Or can you use Loc-Tite type thread locker compounds?
Because do you really want to try and drill through hardened bolt heads with a pretty small diameter drill bit?
You're not really going to do that by hand. You'll take each fastener off, clamp and position it in a mill or a decent drill press (which means you'll need that mill or drill press AND some decent mill/drill machinist's vise as well as the drill bits), drill the small diameter holes, clean and deburr those small diameter holes, and then reinstall the fasteners.
https://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/general/difficulty-drilling-nuts-bolts-safety-wire-326365/
And do you need to have safety wire? Or can you use Loc-Tite type thread locker compounds?
Safety wire is recommended in the novice groups, but required in the more advanced groups. Loctite is not an option, they need to be able to see that certain fasteners are backed up with wire.Buy fasteners that already have the safety-wire holes in them.
Because do you really want to try and drill through hardened bolt heads with a pretty small diameter drill bit?
You're not really going to do that by hand. You'll take each fastener off, clamp and position it in a mill or a decent drill press (which means you'll need that mill or drill press AND some decent mill/drill machinist's vise as well as the drill bits), drill the small diameter holes, clean and deburr those small diameter holes, and then reinstall the fasteners.
https://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/general/difficulty-drilling-nuts-bolts-safety-wire-326365/
And do you need to have safety wire? Or can you use Loc-Tite type thread locker compounds?
Hagatronics
Well-known member
It's a deadset PITA. Even with a drill guide it *****. I found that you'd drill slowly and plenty of lube but the drill would grab and snap as it exited the other side. You end up with a hole with a hardened steel drill bit wedged in it.
I'd buy the bolts of they are available. You'll end up breaking lots of drill bits so probably not a lot more expensive anyway.
I'd buy the bolts of they are available. You'll end up breaking lots of drill bits so probably not a lot more expensive anyway.
Bagherra
Well-known member
Pro-Bolts
knobby
Well-known member
Another option https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0022ZR5TK/?tag=atomicindus08-20
FWIW unplug any lights that you are going to tape up and save yourself some grief...
FWIW unplug any lights that you are going to tape up and save yourself some grief...
If you want pre drilled, go pro-bolt.
Having raced for years and drilled lots, it will be trial and error at 1st, but gets easy. Slow and steady and lubricate.
Who are you racing with?
I'm not racing yet. Just getting started with doing track days. Even though safety wire isn't required to run novice, I'm trying to stay ahead of the curve and learn how to do it, plus it just gives me peace of mind knowing that critical fasteners are backed up. I'd like to attempt to drill these bolts myself, but if I end up breaking too many bits and getting frustrated, I can see me placing an order with Pro-Bolt. Thanks for the advice guys!