What's that Lassie? You say that Joe AutoDrill fell down the old
rec.crafts.metalworking mine and will die if we don't mount a rescue
by Thu, 1 Jul 2010 13:37:23 -0400:

Not worried where the plugs go. It's a manually loaded part with a trigger
for the drill process. But it's like a drill press on steroids in that it
will never be turned off while they are drilling parts and has enough thrust
to crush the part...

I'll manage the feed, RPM and thrust rates. It's all about that plug.

Forstner bits were suggested by the woodworkign folks, but I'm afraid that
the plug may stick to the center pilot even on that set-up.

Tests to follow. We shall see...

As for the other custom tool ideas discussed here already - too fancy for
the customer "me thinks"... They want an off-the-shelf, inexpensive
oepration for a downa nd dirty, low tolerance required hole process.

I don't think he would care if the plugs ejected 10' away as long as he
could put up a wall to stop them.


If you don't need a pilot hole to guide the hole saw, then you may be
able to get away with a half hole saw. Just take a hole saw, and
grind away a little more than half of it. That should keep it from
holding onto the slug. You will need to adjust the feed rate and you
may need to add some weight to keep it in balance depending on your
spindle.
--

Dan H.
northshore MA.