boombap Posted May 9, 2016 Report Share Posted May 9, 2016 Looking to drill a 3/4' hole in my boat to run some wires, will a standard irwin wood bit work or will I mangle the aluminum? Sharp edges are ok since it will be getting a gasket around it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRIFTER_016 Posted May 9, 2016 Report Share Posted May 9, 2016 If you mean a spade bit like in the pic below. It will work as long as it's one of the ones with the points on the end. It will wear out quickly and you need to go slowly, but it will work in a pinch. I use either a hole saw or UNI bit when I need to run stuff in my boat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boombap Posted May 9, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 9, 2016 I meant one of these I fear a spade bit will butcher it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wormdunker Posted May 9, 2016 Report Share Posted May 9, 2016 That particular bit will bite in & pull the drill in very quickly, so you want to ensure there is nothing behind your surface that will be damaged. (wiring) Go slow & hold on tight to the drill, pulling back toward you with a little pressure. I would prefer a 3/4" bit you would normally use to drill steel. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leaf4 Posted May 9, 2016 Report Share Posted May 9, 2016 Just a regular drill bit should do the trick, or a uni bit as suggested Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Ironmaker Posted May 9, 2016 Report Share Posted May 9, 2016 Get the right tool for the job. In this case a metal hole saw bit. You will be able to use the proper bit afterwards but it may kill your wood bit after maybe 1 use only. Borrow one. and . I know of more than 1 person that has bought a tool from HD then brought it back once they are done. Me, never. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FishFinder17 Posted May 9, 2016 Report Share Posted May 9, 2016 I was in a pinch and needed to drill a hole in the storage bin of my tracker to run some wire. It was through aluminum and it ended up working. I started the hole with a self tapping screw so the threaded tip of the bit would stay in one place. There's probably a better bit for the job, but in my case I had already made 37 trips to Home Depot for this project and didn't feel like making another one... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRIFTER_016 Posted May 10, 2016 Report Share Posted May 10, 2016 I meant one of these I fear a spade bit will butcher it. Those would be auger bits. If you are going to try pre-drill a pilot hole the size of the widest point on the screw tip so it doesn't draw the flutes into the metal. You want to go slow and with light pressure. Spade bits actually work pretty good in aluminium as the points on the tips of the wings cut through without chewing up the metal. But as I said with either type of bit the key is light pressure and low RPM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smokercrafty Posted May 10, 2016 Report Share Posted May 10, 2016 I have an assortment of bits up to 7/8 for what you need. If you need to borrow one or a few, hit me up. I'd be glad to help out. You'll need a 1/2" drill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boombap Posted May 10, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 10, 2016 I have an assortment of bits up to 7/8 for what you need. If you need to borrow one or a few, hit me up. I'd be glad to help out. You'll need a 1/2" drill. Thanks for the offer but I was able to do it with a old spade bit and some wd40. Now if you had some 1" rubber grommets laying around I wouldn't mind taking one of your hands.. lol. I checked home depot/lowes but the biggest was 3/4. I'm thinking west marine. Anyone? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRIFTER_016 Posted May 10, 2016 Report Share Posted May 10, 2016 Try Canadian Tire. http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/hillman-rubber-grommets-1612746p.html#.VzFG4fkrKM8 Napa or electrical supply houses would be a couple of other places to try. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whiskywizard Posted May 10, 2016 Report Share Posted May 10, 2016 If it doesn't show, I will usually make my own grommets for larger diameter holes. Use a short length of any small rubber or vinyl tube. Slice it lengthwise and cut it to length to suit the hole diameter. Sorry - no photo handy. If I'm not explaining it well let me know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boombap Posted May 10, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 10, 2016 If it doesn't show, I will usually make my own grommets for larger diameter holes. Use a short length of any small rubber or vinyl tube. Slice it lengthwise and cut it to length to suit the hole diameter. Sorry - no photo handy. If I'm not explaining it well let me know. Was in my garage looking around at the shelves to see if I could come up with something, this never crossed my mind. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Ironmaker Posted May 10, 2016 Report Share Posted May 10, 2016 If it doesn't show, I will usually make my own grommets for larger diameter holes. Use a short length of any small rubber or vinyl tube. Slice it lengthwise and cut it to length to suit the hole diameter. Sorry - no photo handy. If I'm not explaining it well let me know. No you're not. I'm not the most mechanically sharp tool in the box. Please excuse my ignorance. What does a piece of rubber tube have to do with drilling a hole? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GBW Posted May 10, 2016 Report Share Posted May 10, 2016 Now if you had some 1" rubber grommets laying around I wouldn't mind taking one of your hands.. lol. I checked home depot/lowes but the biggest was 3/4. I'm thinking west marine. Anyone? If it doesn't show, I will usually make my own grommets for larger diameter holes. Use a short length of any small rubber or vinyl tube. Slice it lengthwise and cut it to length to suit the hole diameter. Sorry - no photo handy. If I'm not explaining it well let me know. No you're not. I'm not the most mechanically sharp tool in the box. Please excuse my ignorance. What does a piece of rubber tube have to do with drilling a hole? All sorted out now on the rubber reply? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Ironmaker Posted May 10, 2016 Report Share Posted May 10, 2016 (edited) Thanks for the offer but I was able to do it with a old spade bit and some wd40. WD 40 is not a lubricant. It displaces water. Water Displacement Formula 40. You never know when you might be on Jeopardy. Edited May 10, 2016 by Old Ironmaker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NANUK Posted May 10, 2016 Report Share Posted May 10, 2016 To do a neat job you need a metal punch or a "Greenlee Punch" of the proper size, but you will need access to both sides of the panel. http://www.greenlee.com/products/INDUSTRIAL-STD-PUNCH-KIT.html A metal hole saw will work as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanD Posted May 10, 2016 Report Share Posted May 10, 2016 Next time try one of these step drill bits. You can get them at Princess Auto. http://www.princessauto.com/en/detail/g-r-i-p-2-pc-jumbo-titanium-coated-high-speed-steel-step-drill-bit-set/A-p8487035e The quality is about normal for PA stuff; but it'll work long enough for the number of holes I'd ever need to drill that large. Dan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leaf4 Posted May 10, 2016 Report Share Posted May 10, 2016 (edited) These ones go on sale all the time at Canadian tire for $17.99 does the trick and beats spending $50 on a single one like i did once thinking it would be worth it but once its dull theres not much you can do for it... http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/tools-hardware/power-tools-accessories/drills/drill-bits-sets-accessories/mastercraft-step-drill-set-3-pc-0540698p.html?utm_campaign=bazaarvoice&utm_medium=SearchVoice&utm_source=AskAndAnswer&utm_content=Default Edited May 10, 2016 by Lucas F Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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