cutting holes in steel gate post for hinge bolts
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bigdeano
Platinum Member
Seems like an electric drill is the way to go. I don't know of any other practical way.
k0ua
Epic Contributor
I would drill it through with a smaller bit first, keeping great care to keep it level and square to the pipe. This will be easier to do with a smaller bit. You will likely need a longer than "jobber length" bit to do this. Then I would drill it from both side with the larger bit you will need to pass the bolts. Take great care as you start to break thru, as the larger bit will likely grab and seize and try to break your wrist with the drill. As you start to break thru, back way off of the pressure. A drill with a another right angle grip for the other hand can help here, or switch to a portable drill with a clutch to make the final breakthru. Drilling big holes in pipe with big powerful drills can be painful. Some lube as you drill can be helpful.
k0ua
Epic Contributor
Solid advice James. MAN, that makes your wrists hurt if done wrong........ Not that I ever have........
No, I wouldn't know anything about using a huge 5/8 drill to drill a 5/8 hole with a twist bit thru a big piece of pipe buried in the ground in concrete, and having it just about twist me into a pretzel.. no, I wouldn't know anything about that at all...
ovrszd
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No, I wouldn't know anything about using a huge 5/8 drill to drill a 5/8 hole with a twist bit thru a big piece of pipe buried in the ground in concrete, and having it just about twist me into a pretzel.. no, I wouldn't know anything about that at all...
I had an old Sears 1/2" drill that seemed like it would run for 10 seconds after letting go of the switch...... What a drill!!!
Industrial Toys
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It all depends on wall thickness too. Is it round or square tube? What size bolts? I like to fill tubing with concrete. Keeps the water out and makes it just a bit more ridged. This makes drilling holes later more fun.
My challenge is always to keep the drill perpendicular. It helps to have someone with a good eye watching.
My dad still has that craftsman 1/2" geared down cast drill with the twenty pound trigger pull, on/off switch. As a hundred and twenty pound teenager that thing just about ripped my arm off a time or two and many times ended up wrapping it's cord around itself. I bet, that cord is still like new. QUALITY! It had the 1/2 inch pipe you could thread into the top for holding onto and a D handle you could attach to the back.
My challenge is always to keep the drill perpendicular. It helps to have someone with a good eye watching.
My dad still has that craftsman 1/2" geared down cast drill with the twenty pound trigger pull, on/off switch. As a hundred and twenty pound teenager that thing just about ripped my arm off a time or two and many times ended up wrapping it's cord around itself. I bet, that cord is still like new. QUALITY! It had the 1/2 inch pipe you could thread into the top for holding onto and a D handle you could attach to the back.
k0ua
Epic Contributor
Yep, I had the D handle. Lost mine in my shop fire. You can't buy anything like that now. That Drill was a Love/Hate relationship.
I know what you mean. That 5/8 drill was so geared down it probably didn't turn more than about 180 RPM, and had "ship" loads of torque, which was good and bad.. That thing could twist you off of a ladder in a heartbeat.
