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what size countersink bit
- Thread starter ian45662
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By "countersink bits" I hope you don't mean those flat sheet metal things wood workers use to countersink holes with do you?
These will not work for countersinking steel or brass parts. In fact, IMO trying to countersink any metal parts with them is downright dangerous.
That said, I would suggest that you try to find one of the solid steel countersinks with one or more cutting edges. These come in both 3/8 and 1/2 inch diameter.
The ones with just one cutting edge are fairly inexpensive and will produce a countersink in steel, brass, aluminum and wood for any size screw head up to the diameter of the tool.
They don't have a drill bit mounted in them. They are just a conical cutting tool that will need a pre-drilled hole for them to follow as they cut the countersink.
I bought mine at the local Ace Hardware store for just a few bucks.
These will not work for countersinking steel or brass parts. In fact, IMO trying to countersink any metal parts with them is downright dangerous.
That said, I would suggest that you try to find one of the solid steel countersinks with one or more cutting edges. These come in both 3/8 and 1/2 inch diameter.
The ones with just one cutting edge are fairly inexpensive and will produce a countersink in steel, brass, aluminum and wood for any size screw head up to the diameter of the tool.
They don't have a drill bit mounted in them. They are just a conical cutting tool that will need a pre-drilled hole for them to follow as they cut the countersink.
I bought mine at the local Ace Hardware store for just a few bucks.
I went to an ace hardware store and they didnt have them for the size screws I have. Should I buy a bigger one than I need and just push it in shallow or deep depending on the diffrent size screw? I thought a countersink with a drill bit in it would be able to give the screw a better alignment into the countersink
"...I thought a countersink with a drill bit in it would be able to give the screw a better alignment into the countersink "
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It probably would give a better alignment but if you use one of the countersinks that does not have a drill or pilot it will follow a existing hole just fine.
The only catch is you need to keep the axis of the countersink parallel with the axis of the hole and go slowly.
Yes, the 1/2 inch plain round countersink will work great for tiny little screws as well as large ones. Just don't run it in very far.
Most of the countersinks that come with a drill in them are made for wood. I don't know if they would work on steel without getting dull.
The other problem with them in my opinion is, they are specialized, that is, they are each made for only one size screw. That means you would need a whole bunch of them rather than just one.
zonie
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It probably would give a better alignment but if you use one of the countersinks that does not have a drill or pilot it will follow a existing hole just fine.
The only catch is you need to keep the axis of the countersink parallel with the axis of the hole and go slowly.
Yes, the 1/2 inch plain round countersink will work great for tiny little screws as well as large ones. Just don't run it in very far.
Most of the countersinks that come with a drill in them are made for wood. I don't know if they would work on steel without getting dull.
The other problem with them in my opinion is, they are specialized, that is, they are each made for only one size screw. That means you would need a whole bunch of them rather than just one.
zonie
i bought the set of countersink bits from lee valley tools to fit all the screws that i would come across building a gun.............bob
lee vally tools....
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lee vally tools....
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These are what I generally use, probably a bit of an overkill for soft metals, but they do a nice job on a drill press. (Or by hand if you if you hold it straight)
[url] http://www.keocutters.com/cat...4_9466_9481&osCsid=fok5mudt907b06dd2d4p26ed50[/url]
If you watch MSC alot of times the have them in a sale flyer for about half the price.
[url] http://www.keocutters.com/cat...4_9466_9481&osCsid=fok5mudt907b06dd2d4p26ed50[/url]
If you watch MSC alot of times the have them in a sale flyer for about half the price.
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ian45662 said:
Sounds like you are talking about something along the lines of metal lathe mill center drill countersink bits.
More expensive and not really required, as a regular tool steel countersinking bit for metal will work fine.
Here is a picture of the one I use, mine is 5/8" and depth control is pretty much trial and error(to match the particular screw head).
I have to run my drillpress slow to prevent chatter(around 420 rpm). It has worked for every screw I have wanted to countersink yet.
I bought this at the local hardware store( I'd say I live in a one horse town but no one has a barn to keep a horse) and paid about $7.00 for it. One coud probably do a bit better on price, but I did not want to drive 10-15 miles for one at the time I bought it.[url] http://www.irwin.com/irwin/consumer/jhtml/detail.jhtml?prodId=IrwinProd100043[/url]
I have to run my drillpress slow to prevent chatter(around 420 rpm). It has worked for every screw I have wanted to countersink yet.
I bought this at the local hardware store( I'd say I live in a one horse town but no one has a barn to keep a horse) and paid about $7.00 for it. One coud probably do a bit better on price, but I did not want to drive 10-15 miles for one at the time I bought it.[url] http://www.irwin.com/irwin/consumer/jhtml/detail.jhtml?prodId=IrwinProd100043[/url]
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ian45662 said:
You want an 82 degree countersink. One with a pilot on it is called a piloted countersink. I do not own one [yet] but it would prevent the occasional 'egg-shaped' countersink than can result if you do not go straight down centered on the pilot hole you drilled first.
TRANSTAAFL shows a picture of what appears to be piloted countersinks... By the way who has them for sale?
Thanks
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