Thread: Drill and tap an endmill

https://www.henchman.com.au/CB490012...ot-Hole/pd.php

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Originally Posted by SurfinNev

It will be a 13mm four flute end mill (which I have now)

Since you have the end mill and you're prepared to sacrifice it, you might be able to bore a hole in the end with a cheap 6mm solid carbide end mill. Then Loctite a 6mm diameter pin into the hole in the end mill.

Originally Posted by shedhappens

If you or anyone else can drill and tap a 4mm thread in an endmill then i sure would be keen to know how to do it, a spark eroder could do the hole, but the thread.......

Carbide threadmill would probably do the job. It might not last long with HSS. Only catch is you need a CNC mill...

EDM/spark tapping is a thing that exists, but that needs even more fancy machinery

The hinges are only a hard plastic. What about a step drill or make a similar tool to suit the hole you need.

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What's wrong with using a tool made for this exact purpose?
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e.g. https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/293622208439
They are available in just about any size combination....

Originally Posted by jhovel

What's wrong with using a tool made for this exact purpose?

That's way too practical and boring

Originally Posted by jhovel

What's wrong with using a tool made for this exact purpose?
418zRSwXdxL._AC_SY400_.jpg
e.g. https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/293622208439
They are available in just about any size combination....

Because there is not a size I need.

Originally Posted by SurfinNev

Because there is not a size I need.

Is 1/2" close enough to 13mm to work? You can probably turn down the pilot to whatever you need with a carbide tip

Originally Posted by Sparksy

The hinges are only a hard plastic. What about a step drill or make a similar tool to suit the hole you need.

9e66c724-affc-4abd-8c42-b33b1d7ca742.jpg

Step drills do not come with a 6mm to 13mm step in one step. Wouldn't work anyway, as I need a flat seat for the nutsert.

Originally Posted by jack620

Since you have the end mill and you're prepared to sacrifice it, you might be able to bore a hole in the end with a cheap 6mm solid carbide end mill. Then Loctite a 6mm diameter pin into the hole in the end mill.

It's done. Used a carbide burr in the centre hole on end of 13mm end mill to open it up a bit and roughen the surface. Super strength Araldite was used to bond the pilot piece into the end. Experimented on a hinge I bought and it works very well. Thought the end mill would grab and tear a large hole in the hinge but that did not happen. Used end mill in a cordless drill with the clutch on minimum. Who said I couldn't do it.

Will be doing the gates on Sunday. So just 32 more holes to counterbore and 32 nutserts to install. Will file this tool away after this job just in case I need it again.

Originally Posted by SurfinNev

It's done. Used a carbide burr in the centre hole on end of 13mm end mill to open it up a bit and roughen the surface. Super strength Araldite was used to bond the pilot piece into the end. Experimented on a hinge I bought and it works very well. Thought the end mill would grab and tear a large hole in the hinge but that did not happen. Used end mill in a cordless drill with the clutch on minimum. Who said I couldn't do it.

Good one Nev, it is good to succeed..... but it is FANTASTIC when you are told that you cant do it and you did

Originally Posted by shedhappens

..... but it is FANTASTIC when you are told that you cant do it and you did

Trouble is sometimes I get carried away and occasionally try something that fails miserably. You are right though, feels great when a plan works. Took a fair amount of time though to get there.

Originally Posted by BaronJ

As far as I'm aware 13 mm isn't a standard end mill size.

1/2" in a wobbly chuck?

What about Interchangeable Pilot Counter Bores https://www.ausee.com.au/shop/item.aspx?itemid=4143 . They come with a 4mm Pilot, but the nearest Counter Bore is a smidge bigger than what you want at 13.5mm .