By continuing to use this site, you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more
Forum sponsored by:
Forum sponsored by Forum House Ad Zone

Square hole

All Topics | Latest Posts

Search for:  in Thread Title in  
Wolfie13/05/2014 22:18:11
avatar
502 forum posts

Think I've asked this before, but how the hell do I drill a square hole?

jason udall13/05/2014 22:21:40
2032 forum posts
41 photos
There are drill systems to do this..but...
How deep?
Blind?
How big?
If not blind..drill corners..drill center then broach...
Or rota broach

John Stevenson13/05/2014 22:23:22
avatar
5068 forum posts
3 photos

Do a Google / You tube for square hole drills, loads on there but if possible have a look to see if you can use something with a square in it already like a socket and adapt that. Not always possible I know.

Can also be done with a rotary broach, some articles in MEW on that also You tube video's.

jason udall13/05/2014 22:23:59
2032 forum posts
41 photos
Rota broach is how ( well one way) that hex holes etc can be put in the end of bolts...forging is also used but...
magpie13/05/2014 22:25:25
avatar
508 forum posts
98 photos

That must have been a VERY loooooong drive you have been on . Like Jason said, or, a round drill and a file.

Cheers Derek.

Andrew Johnston13/05/2014 22:28:47
avatar
7061 forum posts
719 photos

Use a square drill!

No, seriously, you can drill a square hole, or any other regular polygon. You actually use a triangular drill and a square guide plate with a special chuck that allows the drill to float. See this link:

**LINK**

Mind you they're pretty expensive, so the more common method is to drill a round hole and broach, slot or file it square.

Andrew

NJH13/05/2014 22:29:05
avatar
2314 forum posts
139 photos

Wolfie

HERE is the principle. --- however, although there are chucks/bits to do this it's unlikely that it will be economical to do at home.Drilling a round hole and using a broach of some sort is possible. HERE is another idea .

Norman

Michael Cox 113/05/2014 22:36:16
555 forum posts
27 photos

Hi Wolfie,

Rotary broaching is the best way for short holes and the equipment is not so difficult to make see:http://mikesworkshop.weebly.com/rotary-broaching.html

Mike

JasonB13/05/2014 22:54:33
avatar
25215 forum posts
3105 photos
1 articles

here is where you asked it before, same old answers, also several other threads if you search

 

 

Edited By JasonB on 14/05/2014 07:19:28

Wolfie13/05/2014 23:14:26
avatar
502 forum posts

blushblushblushblush

John Olsen14/05/2014 04:20:22
1294 forum posts
108 photos
1 articles

Unless you are going to make a habit of needing square holes, the way to do it is to drill a round hole and then file out the corners. A round hole already has 80% of the material removed. (OK, 78.54.....) Of course, this is not so convenient if it is not a through hole but even for that you can drill a round hole, make up and harden a kind of square punch, and drive it in to take out the corners. This will not make it square all the way down but it will not usually matter if there is a bit at the bottom that is not square. For that matter, the square drilling approach does not actually give a true square, the corners will be rounded. A broach will give a true square hole, but again only on a through hole.

Unless you are getting into mass production, the answer to most things that can't be machined with the machines you have is going to be a hacksaw, a file or two, and a scraper. Maybe a few good cold chisels too. And some patience

John

All Topics | Latest Posts

Please login to post a reply.

Magazine Locator

Want the latest issue of Model Engineer or Model Engineers' Workshop? Use our magazine locator links to find your nearest stockist!

Find Model Engineer & Model Engineers' Workshop

Sign up to our Newsletter

Sign up to our newsletter and get a free digital issue.

You can unsubscribe at anytime. View our privacy policy at www.mortons.co.uk/privacy

Latest Forum Posts
Support Our Partners
cowells
Sarik
MERIDIENNE EXHIBITIONS LTD
Subscription Offer

Latest "For Sale" Ads
Latest "Wanted" Ads
Get In Touch!

Do you want to contact the Model Engineer and Model Engineers' Workshop team?

You can contact us by phone, mail or email about the magazines including becoming a contributor, submitting reader's letters or making queries about articles. You can also get in touch about this website, advertising or other general issues.

Click THIS LINK for full contact details.

For subscription issues please see THIS LINK.

Digital Back Issues

Social Media online

'Like' us on Facebook
Follow us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter
 Twitter Logo

Pin us on Pinterest

 

Donate

donate