trailer hitch fabrication

[48windsor]

thought there was a tips and tricks thread couldnt find it
My problem is I cant seem to get a hole drilled in dead center of tubing for pin . Does anyone have any advice tips.

 

[1969]

Accurate measurements, center punch, small drill bit, larger drill bit. Easily done.

 

[creativecars]

Age old... measure twice, drill once.

As 1969 said measure accurately, even measure from both sides, scribe a line with something sharp and accurate, soap stone is not very accurate. Center punch and drill.

 

[Terra Nova]

Accurate measurements, center punch, small drill bit, larger drill bit. Easily done.

x2

That said, I've made a few and always buy a piece of receiver tube from a trailer or RV supply place. They are relatively cheap, come in many different lengths, and already have the hole and a collar. The issue with using regular structural square tubing is the weld bead is often present inside the tube and you have to grind it down to get a standard 2" insert to go in.


HF even sells them. Used one from there for a long drop hitch needed to move my car hauler around the yard with my Bronco.

http://www.harborfreight.com/12-in-long-2-in-standard-receiver-tube-69879.html

 

[NUTTSGT]

Is the tubing you are using ERW ? If it is, are you trying to drill on the weld and cause the bit to go off center ?

 

[Randy in Maine]

I drilled a hole and tapped in threads for a 8mm x 1.25mm threadpitch in the receiver and the hitch for a bolt so it wont rattle.

 

[ttpete]

I drilled a hole and tapped in threads for a 8mm x 1.25mm threadpitch in the receiver and the hitch for a bolt so it wont rattle.

Be careful. If it can't rattle, then it will rust and seize easily if left in the socket. The rattle is what keeps it moving and loose.

 

[kerrynzl]

thought there was a tips and tricks thread couldnt find it
My problem is I cant seem to get a hole drilled in dead center of tubing for pin . Does anyone have any advice tips.

Grind a small flat piece to start the pilot hole

 

[BFBOB]

V-blocks and drill press. Cheap v-blocks from Enco are all you need - maybe even Harbor Freight. Easy to center. Clamp your v-blocks in a vise, clamp the vise down, run drill bit down to the bottom of the V. That centers it. Raise bit back up, pop in your tube and it's automatically centered. Still, center punch your starting point, start with a small drill. Clamp everything down, drill both sides in one shot. (that's why you use two v-blocks - drill between them).

 

[Zengineer]

I find a center drill (or starter drill) helps a lot. Minimal deflection, doesn't walk.

 

[jimgood]

something like this might help:
http://www.harborfreight.com/self-centering-doweling-jig-41345.html

 

[kf4zht]

Yeah, scribe (from both sides to check the measure), center punch, drill with a stubby/starter drill, then up to the size you want.

I always buy the pre-made tubes from northern. I made one and by the time I bought the steel, ground down the burr, drilled, etc it was not any cheaper and way harder.

 

[Joe69]

And oversize the hole slightly. Don't drill a 5/8 hole for a 5/8 pin, you'll regret it.

Joe