Tools & Fabrication - Making bolt hole larger?




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skorpion317
10-05-2010, 09:47 PM
I'm making brackets to attach my factory seat brackets to a set Lancer Evo Recaro seats. I'm using a 3" wide, 1/8" thick steel strip. My measurements were slightly off, and the bolt holes I drilled are just a little misaligned. I want to elongate the holes a little bit, but it's a huge PITA. I used the sanding bands on my Dremel to do a couple of the bolt holes, but I used up every one I had. I also tried using a tapered grinding bit they had, but it didn't do much. Also, getting the bolt holes elongated enough by sanding took a lot of time. Anyone know a faster, easier way to do this?


01ssreda4
10-06-2010, 04:17 AM
Yeah, ditch the dremel and get something with some balls. And try a carbide bit next time.

Ollie8974
10-06-2010, 07:35 AM
use a round file (Rat Tail File)


Old Geezer
10-06-2010, 07:55 AM
A UNIBIT from HD or Lowes is what we use. Makes a round hole in thin material, and will enlarge the holes in steps..

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=Unibit&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=17440243887304188030&ei=1HGsTMawBoG78gb7gM2vCA&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CCMQ8wIwAQ#

thedrill
10-06-2010, 09:17 AM
x2 for the rat tail file, the unibit would be good too if you can put washers on top , as it will only make the mis-aligned holes bigger.

jimmyblue
10-06-2010, 11:04 AM
You can get a "good enough" 1/4" electric die grinder
off eBay for about $15. Carbide tulip burr, under $5
(you may find them at Ace too). Ain't nothing gonna
stop that from hogging. Other than another chunk of
carbide, or you gum it up with aluminum.

MikeGyver
10-06-2010, 09:49 PM
x3 rat tail file.

69RS
10-07-2010, 02:20 AM
Die grinder and a good carbide burr bit. Done in 5 minutes.

01ssreda4
10-17-2010, 08:31 AM
Hand file for enlarging holes in steel? No. :bang:

Daryn
10-17-2010, 06:08 PM
i would use a die grinder with a carbide burr , quick and precise

MikeGyver
10-18-2010, 12:27 PM
Hand file for enlarging holes in steel? No. :bang:

Are you kidding? On a piece 1/8" thick, it wouldn't take more than a few seconds per hole.