"Doug White" wrote in message
.. .
I need to drill a clearance hole for a #8 bolt (0.165" dia) through ~ 1
1/4" of 6061-T6 aluminum. The first half is well inside the material,
but the last 3/4" needs to be close to one outside wall of the material.

I know that if I go too close to the wall, the material can give a
little, and the drill bit will drift towards the outside wall. What I
don't know is how close "close" is, and any techniques to minimize the
drift. A carbide drill bit will help, but I don't have time to go
shopping.

I was thinking 1/16" of an inch of material between the wall of the hole
& the outside wall of the block would support the drill reasonably well.
If I could go thinner, that would be good. I figure a 1/32" is probably
asking for trouble.

I can also clamp the offending wall in a vice when I drill, so the metal
will be supported. I don't want to risk drilling into the side of my
vice, so I will use a block of something less expensive. I figure steel
will provide even more support than additional aluminum, except that the
interface won't be perfect.

Another thought was to drill a smaller pilot hole that would be better
supported by the material, and then finish with the final clearance drill
which should follow the pilot hole. If this is prudent, how small a
pilot drill? Bigger would be stiffer & less prone to drift, but thinner
keeps it away from the hole (& is therefore less prone to drift).

For example, if I drill a 0.100" inch hole with a 1/16" wall thickness,
and I follow up with the #8 clearance drill, I will have ~ 1/32" wall
left, but the first hole should be well supported & straight, and then
guide the final drill pretty well.

This isn't a super critical application, but it brings up an interesting
machining/design problem that I'd love to hear the groups thoughts on.

Thanks!

Doug White

Do you have a mill?