Anyone know of a source for "stubby" or short shank drill bits? I need to find some locally or I'm pretty much effed. I called Greenshields, Grainger, Fastenal, Tacoma Screw, Champion Bolt and the Hardware stores. Somebody has to have them somewhere???? 7/16ths
Try Snap On Tools?
They're called screw machine length drill bits Rob, that's the shortest length to diameter drill bit. http://www.grainger.com/product/CHICAGO-LATROBE-Screw-Machine-Drill-Bit-1M073?functionCode=P2IDP2PCP
I believe you are looking for a "Jobber Drill" in lieu of the standard twist drill, with the Jobber having a somewhat shorter shank. If you search that name, you can come up with something locally likely. You could try McMaster-Carr, they have an online catalogue.
screw machine drill bits are what they're called. I don't know anywhere local, other than where you have tried. I order from mcmaster-carr or enco/msc. 525 in enumscratch
I bought a full set to 1/2" from walter. They are about three inches long and really cut well. They call them stub length and I use them on my mag drill when working in tight spots. Stick them deep into the chuck and they are short. I got them from quest supplies up here in Canada. Cost was about $225
Give High Strength Bolt down in Kent a call. They have some odd ball stuff that not many people carry.
That's what I need Willie. Unfortunately Grainger is closed tomorrow. Thanks guys
Well, yeah, a screw machine length bit is typically more of an industrial supplier item, you'd be lucky if you found one anywhere on the weekend. Sorry about that.
If you're really stuck, just break off a standard drill bit and resharpen the end.
Cmark, Been there Done That! Have had times when I needed to install a thread insert in a tight place and that was the only option other than a major amount of disassembly .
Try Swift Tool in Seattle or Kent for instant gratification. Try Enco (use-enco.com) for cheaper prices, usually stocked in Nevada and a couple days away by UPS ground.
Online I use MSC a lot.
Well that didn't work...
Just need to push a little harder and hook up you cordless drill to the crank handle!
Rob if you have friends at boeing I bet they have them
Keep in mind that if you cut a drill bit off short and resharpen it, the web gets thicker the shorter you go. That's not to say that I haven't done it. Especially in situations where I didn't necessarily need a long drill bit but I needed a rigid one. Hard to make a 3/16"ish drill bit rigid without shortening it! Just make sure that as part of the sharpening process, that you thin that web down a bit or it will cut pretty hard. Andrew
Well, a screw machine length bit still won't do it with a right angle drill. It looks like I'm going to have to cut the mount off. Any other ideas before I start this afternoon? Thought of welding studs in but there wouldn't be enough clearance for the motor.
Rob, what kind of gap are you working in, an inch and a half? What the heck are we working on here? Other ideas? cut the drill bit shank down to a minimum, actually all the way into the flutes of the drill, wrap the flutes with aluminum foil, stick it in the chuck and tighten it up so you only have a nub of drill tip sticking out. What the heck are you working on that you need such tight clearance?
Hi Willie, it's a mount for the hydraulic motor/gear that drives the rotate on one of our grapples. Bolt holes are shot. There's structure above it that prevents me from drilling straight on. I spent the afternoon with an air arc and prised the little bastage out of there. It's currently on the drill press. All downhill from here....
TRY KBC TOOLS. http://www.kbctools.com/ also a great source for broaches or annular cutters.
try travers or enco.