[Shop-talk] Safety Wire Drill Guide

[Scott]

A bike I bought had a few that were drilled through the edges of a bolt. 
I'm trying to remember why now, but at the time it seemed to make sense 
for that particular bolt. But like Mark said, I've never drilled those 
myself. I have a hard-enough time drilling through flat-to-flat.

I'd do like Randall (I think) said, and grind a flat, then drill. It 
seems like the fixtures designed to make things easier are hit-and-miss. 
Some are helpful, and others are just a waste of money.

On 2/5/2013 9:49 AM, Mark Andy wrote:
> Howdy,
>
> As to "why?" I'm guessing its "don't have to drill as much".  Going
> through a corner of a bolt head seems like it'd be a heck of a lot
> less material to remove.
>
> As for how to actually drill it... I would think it'd be pretty
> sensitive to what drills you were using and what feed rates.  Seems
> like since you're catching the corner on an angle, it would be pretty
> easy to overfeed it, causing the drill to take too much of a bite and
> snap.  Is that what's happening, or is it something else?  Might have
> a similar problem coming out, but the bit should be even better
> supported there.
>
> All that said... I've always done like someone else posted and drilled
> straight through, flat to flat.  And I've broken off my share of bits
> doing it, particularly when I've done it using a hand drill.
>
> Mark
>
> On Mon, Feb 4, 2013 at 9:12 PM, PJ McGarvey <pj_mcgarvey at hotmail.com> wrote:
>> Nope, I didn't even realize that was something people were doing - and I'm
>> wondering why (though I'm guessing something to do with the strength of the
>> bolt head for torquing?).
>> Maybe a thicker drill bit wouldn't have a problem bending and breaking so
>> easily, almost seems like you're asking for trouble by using that guide and
>> with such a small bit.