Drilling for rivets

[tmoretta]

I am finding that drilling the hundreds of 1/8 inch holes in the 818 frame to rivet on the aluminum is a killer. Doing the riveting is super easy compared to pushing a drill. Anyone have a recommendation as to the best (sharpest and most effective) drill bit to use?

[michael everson]

Buy them by the dozen and keep swapping them out. I used them for about 50-100 holes or until they break. Also buy #30 drills instead. Makes it easier to install the rivets. I sell them on my web site if you cannot find them local.
Mike
www.replicaparts.com

[tmoretta]

Thanks Mike. But cobalt or some other type of bit is not better?

[68GT500MAN]

to let the drill do the cutting. I have been a machinist for many years and the most common mistake when drilling holes is to apply too MUCH pressure. I have been involved in many builds over the years and this is the thing I recommend the most.
Doug

[GUNS]

For the 1/8 holes I'm using a dremel tool w/ the 90 deg attachment. This works great for tight places and does a pretty good job of making quick holes. I also put some cutting oil on the tip of the bit before use. Just be careful, I was drilling holes for the trans tunnel last week and the bit caught my glove, which pulled the bit through the glove and through my thumb to the bone. I cut one of the nerves in my thumb, but other then some numbness, all is well. I feel like should just rivet my thumb since I went through the effort to put a hole in it :).

[Frank818]

Buy them by the dozen and keep swapping them out. I used them for about 50-100 holes or until they break. Also buy #30 drills instead. Makes it easier to install the rivets. I sell them on my web site if you cannot find them local.
Mike
www.replicaparts.com

For those looking, more precisely here (http://www.replicaparts.com/misc%20tools%20page.htm).

[Jaime]

Thanks Mike. But cobalt or some other type of bit is not better?
For a soft metal like aluminum and even steel square tubing, better bits don't pay off much. Spend your money on bulk packs of cheap bits.

I got these tiny ones (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002YD7ZS6/ref=oh_details_o03_s01_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) on Amazon:
28788

Combined with a short drill...
28789
... I should be able to get almost everywhere without a right angle. However, this little sucker gets me just about anywhere and still has plenty of power:
28790

[K3LAG]

I've been using Chicago Latrobe short length bits that I bought from Amazon. They come in a package of 12, but I haven't used but a few of each size so far. After each drilling/riveting session I give the used bits a quick run in the Drill Dr. to resharpen them.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00271IXCC/ref=biss_dp_t_asn
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0025QHZOG/ref=biss_dp_t_asn

There are plenty of other choices, these are just what has worked well for me.

Larry

[RM1SepEx]

I use the packs of double ended TiN bits from harbor freight. I only used 3-4 to get my build to go kart stage. Lubrication and easy pressure are the key. http://www.harborfreight.com/7-piece-1-8-eighth-inch-double-end-titanium-nitride-m2-drill-bits-66213.html I just bought a multi pack of bits for the 3/16 holes http://www.harborfreight.com/316-in-titanium-nitride-coated-high-speed-steel-drill-bits-7-piece-61545.html

I place a small cap on the floor when I'm drilling with 1/4 inch of oil in it. I dip the bit in for every hole, it helps keep the drill cool and makes for nice quick clean drilling!

[Frank818]

What type of oil exactly is best?

[Canadian818]

I stole a bit from work, still on my first one, lol. Blip the trigger a bit, keeps the bit cooler.

[68GT500MAN]

You can get "cutting oil" from Harbor Freight or almost any store selling cutting tools such as drills and saws.
Doug

[Jeff Kleiner]

But cobalt or some other type of bit is not better?

Nope. Plain old black oxide #30. If you're breaking them it's because the bit is dull and you are trying to wear a hole through the metal by applying pressure rather than letting the bit cut. I can do a whole roadster build with about 5 bits (if I could keep from misplacing them I could probably cut that down to 2 or 3!).

Jeff

[wleehendrick]

I ordered the pack of #30's from Mike; they work well. I'm almost to go-cart and am only on my 3rd bit (broke one, only tossed one for being dull so far).

[RM1SepEx]

I use whatever oil is handy
Like I said only 3-4 bits to go kart...

[luvaz]

I use the packs of double ended TiN bits from harbor freight. I only used 3-4 to get my build to go kart stage. Lubrication and easy pressure are the key. http://www.harborfreight.com/7-piece-1-8-eighth-inch-double-end-titanium-nitride-m2-drill-bits-66213.html I just bought a multi pack of bits for the 3/16 holes http://www.harborfreight.com/316-in-titanium-nitride-coated-high-speed-steel-drill-bits-7-piece-61545.html

I place a small cap on the floor when I'm drilling with 1/4 inch of oil in it. I dip the bit in for every hole, it helps keep the drill cool and makes for nice quick clean drilling!

X2.

I got my roadster to go cart stage w/2 of them. I found lubricating w/bees wax worked best.

HTH,
Will

[blueoval_bowtie_guy]

I don't think I used more than 3 or 4 bits. I used regular motor oil as a lubricant (also keeps the bit cool). If the oil starts to smoke - add more and reduce the pressure. You also want to use your drill on a slow speed. Using the drill at high speed and using a lot of pressure will kill your bits and make it all go slower.

[ruckus racing]

Cool advise. 2-5 bits to go-kart sounds out of this world kind of low