Center Drilling a Hole in the End of a Rod

[Semisane]

Do you need a perfectly centered and straight hole in the end of a solid rod?

I did. I wanted a 10-32 threaded hole for mounting a cleaning jag on a quarter-inch brass ramrod. I don't have a lathe, so here's how I did it with a simple cordless drill.

THIS EXAMPLE IS FOR A 1/4" ROD. The system will work for any diameter rod so long as you correctly match the inside and outside diameters of the components used.

Process Notes:

1. Prior to drilling the rod, you must put the aluminum spacer in a vice and run the drill bit through it so as to size the inside diameter of the spacer to be the same as the drill bit. (Other size spacers, such as those for 8-36 or 6-40 screws, can be drilled through with the #21 bit and used if a 10-32 spacer is not available. Most hardware stores have an assortment of aluminum spacers.)

2. When drilling the rod, you MUST fully withdraw the drill bit after every 1/4" of drilling to clear chips. Do the same with the tap.

 

[Flint62Smoothie]

Neat trick! Was even taught to us in my apprentice machine shop 3-1/2 year course. There's a lot one can do without the more complex machinery, as long as you use your noggin!

 

[longcruise]

Unless you must have a rod no larger than 1/4", a 5/16" OD rod tip is an internal slip fit epoxy and pin or pin and solder. If it's a range rod, a 1/4" ID bore guide can be slid on first and will be captured and never lost.

 

[2 shots]

neat. where did you find the spacers??

 

[WonkyEye]

neat. where did you find the spacers??

He used a lathe

 

[2 shots]

 

[WonkyEye]

Seriously though, Mcmaster-carr is really good for finding stuff like that.