On Mon, 29 Apr 2013 18:05:16 +0000 (UTC), James Waldby
wrote:

On Mon, 29 Apr 2013 04:57:39 +0000, John Doe wrote:

Using ordinary tools, is that realistic?

Talking about an 8mm hole sideways through the rod (from one side to
the other), not down the center of the rod.

To avoid some already-mentioned problems -- such as work-hardening the
stainless steel due to center-punching, or work-hardening it due to the
bit skating around while trying to start the hole, or breaking bits
while starting, or breaking bits on punch-thru -- you could make a
work-holding / drill-guiding fixture.

Start with a chunk of metal (eg a steel cube 3/4" to 1" inch on a side).
Drill an 8mm hole from one face to the opposite face. Drill a 1/16"
hole to meet the 8mm hole on centerline. With a rod inserted through
the hole and the fixture clamped in a vise, you can apply adequate
down-pressure to avoid work hardening, without needing to release
pressure when the drill bit is almost through. (If you are drilling
multiple holes in the rod, it only solves the problem for the first,
unless you have multiple 1/16" guide holes in the fixture.)

One can always make up a fixture using drill bushings

http://www.carrlane.com/catalog/inde...173c1b08535246

If one were drilling enough holes to warrant the cost of the
additional materials and the extra labor

For one (1) hole....it may..may be a bit much.