What size drill bit for 1/8 inch handle pins?

S

SethO

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Mar 12, 2015
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What size bit should i use for 1/8 inch diameter handle pins. I am not sure what the best size is. Would 3/32 inch work?
 
I tend to stray from the norm on this. I've not yet purchased the proper # and letter bits. If I'm using 1/8" pins I drill 1/8" holes. I chuck my pin stock up in the drill press and sand it down just a little. While using # and letter drills is more precise and repeatable, my method might allow you to get by for now.

Chris
 
I have full sets of letter and number drills and I still sand my pins down so that they are a snug fit to the 1/8" hole. It's the best way to get pins set tight but not too tight in my opinion. I always use a number 30 on the blade though so they slide through the blade. Larry Lehman
 
What you guys mean by letter and number drill set, can you guys post a link to where i can buy a set?
 
Download that

http://www.brokenbolt.com/images/starrett-inch-metric-tap-drill.pdf





You want to make it a hair larger

By definition that's about .002 or .003"



First you have to determine the size of your eighth inch pin material

You don't know if it's .120 or .130 or anywhere in between

Start with this, it's really handy
http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRIT?PMAKA=890-9373
https://www.grizzly.com/products/G9256

Stay away from the cheap digital ones, you will go broke in batteries, Mitutoyo is good, but they are not cheap


Then pick a drill from your # drill index that's larger
http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRIT?PMAKA=337-2193
 
Thanks a lot!!!
12345678910 said:
Download that

http://www.brokenbolt.com/images/starrett-inch-metric-tap-drill.pdf





You want to make it a hair larger

By definition that's about .002 or .003"



First you have to determine the size of your eighth inch pin material

You don't know if it's .120 or .130 or anywhere in between

Start with this, it's really handy
http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRIT?PMAKA=890-9373
https://www.grizzly.com/products/G9256

Stay away from the cheap digital ones, you will go broke in batteries, Mitutoyo is good, but they are not cheap


Then pick a drill from your # drill index that's larger
http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRIT?PMAKA=337-2193
Click to expand...
 
Drill bits do not drill round holes. Purchase the correct sized sets of undersized drill bits with a corresponding ream to match. Its the only way I know to produce a truly round hole of the correct size.

Fred
 
further on this in manufacturing terms, there are different types of fits,
so you can research what an interference fit is vs a slip fit is which is what everyone is saying here to use.
 
I asked a similar question here a while back and was old to try reamers. I did, and I've necker looked back. Drill bits can always be a bit of a crap shoot because they can vary slightly in size, they don't make round holes, and some materials spring back a little bit when you drill through them. Reamers are accurately sized, they make round holes, and they cut in two dimensions, so the hole will always be the right size no matter what the material is. Measure your pin stock, then buy a reamer that is one or two thousandths bigger.

Chris
 
Drill test holes in some scrap material. If you want precise fit you need to drill the test holes and measure them with some verniers to see what your drill press/drill bit is actually cutting. If you dont have verniers then just try fitting your pinstock in and see what works best.
 
My personal opinion is that the hole through the scales should be a slip fit, and the hole through the tang should be 25% oversize.

The pin needs just enough room for a thin film of epoxy to seal it to the scales. Too tight and no epoxy gets in. The hole in the tang needs a bit of extra room for alignment issues, and will be filled with resin to keep everything tight.

If peening the pins, a slip fit will allow just enough expansion to make a tight head and not split/crack the scales. If the tang is snug to the pin, the pin will also try to expand there and can raise up the scales. This is especially important when pinning metal bolsters. The hole in the tang has to have at least .005-.010" to allow the pin to swell when being hammered tight. If it is too snug at the tang, the bolster will lift up and no amount of hammering will make it sit flat.
 
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