Thread: another (similar) way to drill pins and save original washers

Okay that's it I'm getting a center drill. Have you guys ever gone up in dia. to get to the washer? I mean forget that long skinny drill bit. I never have problems with the punch doing anything other than missing perfect center. I use it against the same anvil I pin on and so the head is pretty solid. Those light scratches come out silverloaf it's just more work to do. I would rather have a sore thumb than more work to do :<0)

Yeah, but guys, the center of the pin must be drilled out. Keep that in mind. Don't trash the collars to get a starting point!
Drill thru the middle!

Originally Posted by 10Pups

Okay that's it I'm getting a center drill. Have you guys ever gone up in dia. to get to the washer? I mean forget that long skinny drill bit. I never have problems with the punch doing anything other than missing perfect center. I use it against the same anvil I pin on and so the head is pretty solid. Those light scratches come out silverloaf it's just more work to do. I would rather have a sore thumb than more work to do :<0)

I have used a bit larger than 1/16 to nab the collars, 5/64. I have found it better to wobble with the 1/16.

Originally Posted by 10Pups

Okay that's it I'm getting a center drill. Have you guys ever gone up in dia. to get to the washer? I mean forget that long skinny drill bit. I never have problems with the punch doing anything other than missing perfect center. I use it against the same anvil I pin on and so the head is pretty solid. Those light scratches come out silverloaf it's just more work to do. I would rather have a sore thumb than more work to do :<0)

I started with the smaller center bit and then chucked a slightly larger one in to weaken the pin a bit since this had 2 collars per side. I figured id see if I could pop the first and maybe second without drilling too much with the 1/16" bit. didn't really prove beneficial in this case, other times I have drilled out minimally like that and popped the collars, then snip the little bit of pin and out she goes. hitting it up with a 3/64" bit on a 1/16" pin would accomplish the same thing, weakens the pin enough to pop the collars without risk of buggering them up.

Originally Posted by sharptonn

I have used a bit larger than 1/16 to nab the collars, 5/64. I have found it better to wobble with the 1/16.

see my last post, am I thinking close to what you are saying?

The collars must just fall off or stick to the bit. Prying is a destructive method. Once I get a little pin showing the file gets the burrs off so the rest just slides apart. I blew out the backside of a scale once and learned that lesson. No prying.

Originally Posted by silverloaf

see my last post, am I thinking close to what you are saying?

Well, I meant as the 1/16 hole is drilled thru the middle, there is a ring of pin still peened holding the collar on. A slightly larger bit will sometimes cut this out and free the collar. A light touch is needed and sometimes wrecks collars. I prefer to go a bit deep with the 1/16 and wobble it around in order to chew it off, so to speak.

Originally Posted by sharptonn

Well, I meant as the 1/16 hole is drilled thru the middle, there is a ring of pin still peened holding the collar on. A slightly larger bit will sometimes cut this out and free the collar. A light touch is needed and sometimes wrecks collars. I prefer to go a bit deep with the 1/16 and wobble it around in order to chew it off, so to speak.

gotcha! I didn't understand what you were saying the first time, now I sees it all clear!

I have found a link to better describe what I mean by split-tip bits, if some don't know.
The Difference Between Split-Point Drill Bits & Standard | eHow

I need no center punch or starting divot with these as coming up to the bit. They go right where you point them.
I also prefer the shorter, or jobber length bits. Stiffer does better!

Also, I have found that a drop of oil on the bit works wonders as well as drilling at low speed, about 250 rpm.' Let the bit do the work' works for me.

I am surprised the pin doesn't spin under the dill. Or, do they usually have a bend in them?