Aircraft bits Help...

[stratamania]

I need to re drill some tremelo claw holes at some point.

My research informs me that I will need ideally a 12" long 7/64" aircraft drill bit. This is about 2.8 mm.

An 1/8" may suffice which is about 3mm.

Either way I am having a challenge finding one. I have got a 7/64" that's around 4" long but that's probably going to be too short.

After trawling e Bay, one seller in the U.S. only shipped via global shipping which was estimated at around $ 15 for a $2.50 item.

So does anyone know where I can get hold of one of these in the UK or if not anyone that can help me out ?

 

[stratamania]

Amazing I did a search for 3mm aircraft drill bit and found a U.S. Seller with an 1/8" for £3.30 and free international shipping, so I bought it.

I'd still like to find a 7/64" though.

 

[bagman67]

Maybe somethign like this?


http://www.harborfreight.com/38-in-90-angle-drill-attachment-69337.html

 

[stratamania]

An angle drill attachment might be useful to have. I can source those in the UK.

Thanks Bagman67

 

[line6man]

I'm pretty sure that the bit I used when I did my Strat scratchbuild came from Home Depot (A major hardware store chain.) but that probably won't help if you live in the UK. Are there no hardware stores in your area?

 

[stratamania]

Hi Line6man, one of the issues is that in the UK it's now a metric country so finding imperial sizes is not as easy as in the U.S.

Regular chain hardware stores here your sometimes lucky to find anything more than really basic stuff unless you order online or have a specialist store nearby.

 

[Cagey]

It might be a little easier to accept the shipping cost if it was a lower percentage of the purchase price. One way to do that is to buy a set, like this...

I know it's more than you wanted to spend and you're not looking for all those right now, but some of the larger sizes will come in handy for drilling wire runs between pickup cavities, from pickups to control cavities or a smaller hole from bridge mounting holes/areas to control cavities for ground wires. Nice to have a set so you're always covered.

 

[stratamania]

Cagey, that's not a bad idea. They also have this in 7/64.

http://www.drillbitwarehouse.com/long-drill-bits-aircraft-drill-bits-long-boy-drill-bits/aircraft-drill-bits-6-12-long-fractional-number-sizes-up-to-1-2/aircraft-extension-drill-7-64-detail

So a few items would bring the shipping to a reasonable amount overall.

I'll check to see if they ship internationally.

Thanks all.

 

[Cagey]

That 7/64" part is only 6" long. That won't be as much help as you need for as long a reach as claw mounting holes are. Drill motor would still be in the way of the body, so you'd end up with severely angled holes.

A 1/8" bit is only 1/64" larger than 7/64". I really wonder if that would make enough difference to matter. Claw holes and the screws that go in them are usually fairly deep. Lotta grip in a deep hole. Or, I think those screws are normally #8 threads. You could go to a #10 if the hole seemed too loose. Might have to open up the holes on the claw a bit, but you'd get the job done.

 

[stratamania]

Cagey, your right I misread the 7/64 being only 6" and to be honest I don't think the 64  th of an inch would matter a great deal between that and the 1/8"

I contacted them to see if they ship to the UK so will check my mail in the morning.

Thanks again.