I used my DeWalt 12Volt XR, battery-powered drill while on the tower @ 134
feet to drill into a chrome-molly
3/16 inch thick, 2" O.D. mast. First, I drilled a pilot hole of approx 1/8
inch with a "used" 1/8 inch drill bit I had laying around the house, then I
used a new 1/4 inch carbon steel drill bit (about $2.50). I noticed nothing
strange or peculiar about drilling this mast except, perhaps, that it took a
little longer due to its strength, but the drill bits worked fine with the
DeWalt drill.
BTW, the purpose of the hole was for a 1/4 inch stainless steel
through-bolt/locknut "set screw" to keep the boom-to-mast-plate on my
EF-180C ( F12 80M rotatable dipole) from turning on the mast in the wind.
Bill, N3RR
----- Original Message -----
From: Charlie Summers <w0yg@prolynx.com>
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Sent: Monday, June 18, 2001 10:28 PM
Subject: [TowerTalk] Drilling Chrome-Moly Steel
> Can someone please tell me what type of drill bit I need to drill out a
> 5/16" diameter hole in my existing 2" mast with 3/8" wall. I want to go
to
> 5/8 if possible but the mast may just be too hard.
>
> I would rather stay away from the real expensive, like $150.00, drill
bits,
> instead preferring to use several say cobalt tipped or titanium tipped or
> some kind of hardened steel bit.
>
> I have looked at McMaster-Carr's catalog and see what they recommend in
> print but was hoping someone would be able to give me guidance based on
> experience.
>
> The other hooker is I have to drill this on the top of a tower so staying
> there for hours will not be pleasant, especially with a heavy half inch
> drill.
>
> This is a rather personal request on a Tower-Talk related subject so
> personal replies might be in order to: w0yg@prolynx.com
>
> Thanks and 73,
>
> Charlie, W0YG..>>
>
>
>
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> -----
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>
List Sponsor: Are you thinking about installing a tower this summer? Call us
for information on our fabulous Trylon Titan self-supporting towers - up to
96-feet for less than $2000! at 888-833-3104 <A
HREF="http://www.ChampionRadio.com";>
www.ChampionRadio.com</A>
-----
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