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Mar 19, 2017 14:30:46 GMT
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'80 s1 924 turbo..hibernating
'80 golf gli cabriolet...doing impression of a skip
'97 pug 106 commuter...continuing cheapness making me smile!
firm believer in the k.i.s.s and f.i.s.h principles.
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Mar 19, 2017 22:16:50 GMT
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don't even think of using anything else apart from a step drill- you will ruin the roof otherwise.
They are cheap enough for a set from screwfix/toolstation etc.
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What about a step drill?? They'r called "antenna hole drill" over here, not without reason  They can do large holes, but have a pretty smal cutting face for each step. I use them a lot, and the panels never warp or bind at all. If fresh, you can also go through sheet metal without a lot of pressure on the drill. Keep on keeping on, enjoying the latest updates a LOT!!  Nice to see it all finally come together... Cheers, Jan Jim as Turbo Diesel Weasel says - you need a step drill like this one below:  It's a vicious little nibbly thing but also one of my favourite things in my tool collection.  don't even think of using anything else apart from a step drill- you will ruin the roof otherwise. They are cheap enough for a set from screwfix/toolstation etc. +1 on these, especially the point about a nice fresh sharp one. It'll go through like a knife through butter, especially compared to a drill bit and in my experience less likely to grab and distort. For these a 12mm hole will be a piece of cake. |
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Last Edit: Mar 20, 2017 7:02:43 GMT by craigrk
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without wishing to teach you how to suck eggs , run a test piece first. a piece of tape around the drill at your chosen size can avoid that "oh shi... " moment when you think you have gone too big!!
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'80 s1 924 turbo..hibernating
'80 golf gli cabriolet...doing impression of a skip
'97 pug 106 commuter...continuing cheapness making me smile!
firm believer in the k.i.s.s and f.i.s.h principles.
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What about a step drill?? They'r called "antenna hole drill" over here, not without reason They can do large holes, but have a pretty smal cutting face for each step. I use them a lot, and the panels never warp or bind at all. If fresh, you can also go through sheet metal without a lot of pressure on the drill. Keep on keeping on, enjoying the latest updates a LOT!! Nice to see it all finally come together... Cheers, Jan Jim as Turbo Diesel Weasel says - you need a step drill like this one below: It's a vicious little nibbly thing but also one of my favourite things in my tool collection. don't even think of using anything else apart from a step drill- you will ruin the roof otherwise. They are cheap enough for a set from screwfix/toolstation etc. +1 on these, especially the point about a nice fresh sharp one. It'll go through like a knife through butter, especially compared to a drill bit and in my experience less likely to grab and distort. For these a 12mm hole will be a piece of cake. +6, I used one of these to fit a Bee Sting antenna to my MK1 Golf way back in 98, tried and tested and still the tool of choice |
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eurogranada
Europe
To tinker or not to tinker, that is the question...
Posts: 2,556
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Mar 20, 2017 10:35:53 GMT
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In my experience, using a larger drill like a 12mm on a a small pilot hole most often results in a slightly out of round hole when used on relatively thin metal. The drill wil have a tendency to wander a little more. I've found it doesn't really matter if I drill a pilot hole that is just big enough for the tip to rest in or a slightly larger one.
The step drills as mentioned do not have this problem (as the narrow cutting tip basically always self centres) and always result in a neat hole. Also, for in between sizes (or where a grommet necessitates a slightly larger hole) I also have stepless versions of the same tool. I either go slow with those or tape the drill at the desired "step".
So in abundance to the others: a step drill always has my preference, they make light work of it.
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Mar 20, 2017 16:36:33 GMT
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Mar 20, 2017 17:29:07 GMT
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mmm...never used one of those but I would want to try it on a scrap painted panel first before committing to it. nice and steady with a fresh step drill and you shouldn't generate enough heat to affect the paint at all.
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'80 s1 924 turbo..hibernating
'80 golf gli cabriolet...doing impression of a skip
'97 pug 106 commuter...continuing cheapness making me smile!
firm believer in the k.i.s.s and f.i.s.h principles.
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Mar 20, 2017 17:55:08 GMT
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Worked within machined metalwork industry for 8 years - stepdrill will give you the best result Jim
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Rich
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 6,339 
Club RR Member Number: 160
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1986 Rover SD1 3500SE Police CarRich
@foxmcintyre
Club Retro Rides Member 160
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Mar 20, 2017 18:01:09 GMT
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Used to be known as a 'tank cutter'. No idea what finish it will leave, step drill is the best bet. |
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lucan
Part of things
Posts: 27
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Mar 20, 2017 18:23:40 GMT
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 It is a number off the shoulder of a shirt or jacket epaulette. It could even have been mine! The one on a right shoulder often snagged on the seat belt and snapped off. They had a pin at top and bottom of each number which was capped on the other side of the material of the epaulette with a small brass cap. Ken |
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Last Edit: Mar 20, 2017 18:24:52 GMT by lucan
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Mar 20, 2017 20:19:42 GMT
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Thanks for all teh advice on step drills. Ive just bought a sealey one for £10 off ebay. I saw kits of three for about £6 but I'm hoping paying £10 for 1 will mean its better quality.
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Mar 20, 2017 20:22:26 GMT
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It is a number off the shoulder of a shirt or jacket epaulette. It could even have been mine! The one on a right shoulder often snagged on the seat belt and snapped off. They had a pin at top and bottom of each number which was capped on the other side of the material of the epaulette with a small brass cap. Ken Hi Ken, i was hoping you might recognise it! Ill add it to my Lancs pin badge. James |
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Mar 20, 2017 20:27:11 GMT
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As if enough hasnt been said on step drills yet, there are two types ive used.
Straight flute and spiral flute. The spiral flute ones cut quicker but tend to pull the bit in and can easily go a step too far. I prefer the straight flute ones even though they don't last as long and are a bit slower.
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Mar 20, 2017 20:39:54 GMT
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Mar 20, 2017 22:10:23 GMT
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Q mex cutters are also very good, we use them at work. They give a nice clean finish but can require quite a big pilot hole for the bolt.
The step drill you bought is ok, but I would have recommended one of the fatter ones as you would have less drill poking through and it would have been more useful for other things. I also find the larger ones more stable in use.
Step drills are easier than Q mex cutters - now we have the steps at work the Q mexx are pretty well retired.
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Aerials installed. No dramas with the step drill, cut very nicely. Beacon just balanced on for the moment.   |
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.....and breathe again. bet you were glad to get that done?!
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'80 s1 924 turbo..hibernating
'80 golf gli cabriolet...doing impression of a skip
'97 pug 106 commuter...continuing cheapness making me smile!
firm believer in the k.i.s.s and f.i.s.h principles.
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Yes. It wasn't that bad actually. I didn't have much time this weekend, but wanted to do something constructive. So just got on with it. Plenty of masking tape applied first though, and plenty of Butyl sealer afterwards to keep the water out.
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jamesd1972
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,921
Club RR Member Number: 40
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Yeah it will get done, as i have to vanquish the demons of scrapping the first one. But i cant promise its going to be quick! You weren't kidding ! Home stretch now ? |
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They can do large holes, but have a pretty smal cutting face for each step. I use them a lot, and the panels never warp or bind at all. If fresh, you can also go through sheet metal without a lot of pressure on the drill. 
Nice to see it all finally come together...
