Frame drilling slider install q's (1 Viewer)

[bowyer2002]

I finished welding sliders from the kit I got from Trail-Gear.com for my brothers '08 Tacoma and sent him home with them.

He is going to do the bolt-on installation but is having trouble drilling the holes into the frame - he only has 2 mounting points drilled (4-6holes) and has already burned thru 2-3 $10 bits!

He drilled pilot holes 1/4" and then finished drilled 1/2" holes.

Someone please suggest the type of drill bit he should use? Is the frame hardened? Lubricants? etc? Please help!

 

[TeddyBoy]

try a step bit. drilled holes in my 92 frame with one bit. they are not cheap but do the job! HD probably $35 or Harbor Freight for half that. Either will work. good luck

 

[WristPin]

you pilot bit is too big.
too late now, but your pilot should not exceed the width of the flute of the main bit.

if you use say a 1/2" hole, you want to use a size or two smaller than a 1/8" for your pilot.

small bits drill with high speed. any thing bigger than 1/4 go slow, and the bigger you go, go even slower.

use rapid tap cutting oil.

at this point, tkinze is got it right. use the step bit to finish the job.

and you know, you can sharpen bits. I have owned my bits for years and they have seen some abuse. with a resharpen they re good as new.

sharpening a bit is somthing you have to be taught hands on.

 

[bowyer2002]

Thanks

I have forwarded the info to my brother who will be getting the step drill!

I welded my sliders on so I hadn't delt with the frame drilling issues!

 

[LukeZero]

and has already burned thru 2-3 $10 bits!

Please help!

3 things.

1- use less speed, you need to be generating a chip to take the heat away from the cut.

2- use better drill bits.

3- Get a Drill Doctor (or similar product)

Like Poser- I've had the same set of drill bits for over 10 years now (Cleveland Twist Drill), some are getting a little short from being sharpened so many times, and I only replace the ones that get broken. But, I am willing to acknowledge that most people aren't going to spend $350 for a drill bit set

In a pinch- I've needed to use cheapy drill bits from the hardware store- but I've found that putting a fresh sharpening onto even a cheap bit makes it cut awesome.

Good luck, Luke