Drilling Holes Through Rudder Pintle

[MikeDean]

Hi,

I plan to drill a small (about 1/8") hole through the top of my rudder pintles. This so I can use a circular spring clip to retain rudders on pintles (and not floating behind me).

I think the pintles are marine grade stainless.

Can anyone offer any advice on how best to do this.

I plan to (1) remove pintles from boat, (2) Pintles in vice, (3) centre punch, (4) hand drill small pilot hole, (5) hand drill with 1/8" drill (drilling slow speed).

Unfortunately I dont have a drill press.

Any assistance/advice welcomed.

regards

Mike

[Townsvillecat]

Mike,

The only thing I would add is before you centre punch use a file to make a small flat towards the top of the rod then centre punch. The flat will make it easier to keep the drill centred. Use a brand new drill bit for the pilot hole with a lubricant with low speed, high feed i.e. push hard on the drill. Don't let the drill bit spin at high rpm/light load or you will work harden the stainless quickly. If available change drill bits for each pintle, don't resharpen drill bits under 1/8" diameter on stainless it is a waste on effort, you will work harden the pintle.

It's likely a small drill bit will fracture as it makes the exit hole on the far side of the pintle, have a back up drill bit.

Jon

[MikeDean]

Cheers Jon. We'll give it a try this weekend.

[tom]

Good idea about filing a flat before centre punching.

The best cutting fluid i have found for stainless steel is iodine, if you have some betadine or similar in the medicine cabinet a few drops as you are drilling will do wonders.

[MikeDean]

Thanks to all.

Drilling worked fine.

Decided on 2.5mm rather than 1/8.

This was adequate for the stainless circlips (which have a wire diameter of about 1mm).

regards

Mike