Smooooth Holes.....?

[Ray Hogan]

Maybe a silly question....but, when making your own shafts, how do you drill a really "factory-like" smooth adjustment hole in the custom shaft? I'm using a drill press and the holes, especially when the bit exits on the back side, have rough edges. Is there some kind of "deburring" tool or something else to use after the drill bit? Always wondered. This little thing has kept me from making my own shafts because I can't seem to get it right. Thanks, Ray.

 

[J_P]

There is a tool called a countersink as well as these machinist's tools that are designed to de-burr holes. For aluminum, you can hold these tools with your fingers and rotate them in the hole to remove the burrs while adding a small chamfer ot the outside of the hole. Another way is to use fine sandpaper rolled around a drill rod smaller than the hole, or a small cylindrical file with fine teeth. Another method is to use a knife like a an exacto knife to deburr the hole. You can also reach to deburr the inside of the hole with a long, pointed knife.

 

[kaptainkosmic]

drill thru first wall then only partially drill thru second wall of tube just enough to break center of drill thru then turn tube over and drill thru from "outside" so to speak. this will put the burr on the inside of the shaft. you can accomplish the same result by drilling thru with undersize drill then drilling in from outside on both sides with correct size drill. steve

 

[Ray Hogan]

Never knew it could get so complicated....ha....I'll give all your suggestions a try.

 

[Jeff In North Georgia]

You may want to consider using a end mill cutting tool. You will need to run it faster than a twist drill bit.

You can also use a Twist-A-Burr cleaning tool. These are ~ $7.

Check out use-enco.com

Jeff