Igus Slider...how to drill mount holes?
- Thread starter StarPilot
- Start date
Do it just like you're drilling any other piece of metal:
- Get some good metal drilling bits and a decent drill (a drill press will help make the hole straight if you intend to tap it)
- Clamp the rail to your bench really well
- If your bits are good you can start without a pilot hole, otherwise use a center punch to get a good start to prevent the bit from wandering
- Drill!
I think the IGUS material is just thin enough to not require lube but a little will probably help.
- Get some good metal drilling bits and a decent drill (a drill press will help make the hole straight if you intend to tap it)
- Clamp the rail to your bench really well
- If your bits are good you can start without a pilot hole, otherwise use a center punch to get a good start to prevent the bit from wandering
- Drill!
I think the IGUS material is just thin enough to not require lube but a little will probably help.
Thank you. I am sure this is a dumb follow-up question...
Once I drill the hole, how can you thread something in? Wont it just be a clean hole with no thread?
it will be just a clean hole. If you want to thread it, you're going to need to pick up a tap and die set.
They're pretty easy to use if you pay attention to what you're doing. the tap has to be perfectly perpendicular to the hole, or you'll have crooked threads. Then, you simply turn the tap into the hole, a 1/4 to a 1/2 turn at a time, back it out to clear chips out, then continue until you've threaded it all the way through.
They're pretty easy to use if you pay attention to what you're doing. the tap has to be perfectly perpendicular to the hole, or you'll have crooked threads. Then, you simply turn the tap into the hole, a 1/4 to a 1/2 turn at a time, back it out to clear chips out, then continue until you've threaded it all the way through.
photonashville
Well-known member
Pretty easy to drill the IGUS rails. If you want to thread the holes, then make sure that you drill the hole size correctly smaller so the tap can fit and thread accordingly. Plenty of drill size charts online to help with that. Honestly it's best to buy the single tap size, a tap wrench and have a good drill set. Avoid buying the cheap full tap and die sets, they are cheap for a reason. A single quality tap and a wrench will run maybe $20+ but just buy what you need instead of buying crap you don't need.
Drill size and tap chart: http://www.americanfastener.com/technical/tap_and_drill_size_chart.asp
For examples, a 5/16" drill bit is used for a 3/8" thread. Also pay attention to fine and course threads, a 3/8-16 tap (3/8" size and 16 threads per inch) is desired for standard 3/8" bolts which also match the thread bolts on tripods/heads.
Drill size and tap chart: http://www.americanfastener.com/technical/tap_and_drill_size_chart.asp
For examples, a 5/16" drill bit is used for a 3/8" thread. Also pay attention to fine and course threads, a 3/8-16 tap (3/8" size and 16 threads per inch) is desired for standard 3/8" bolts which also match the thread bolts on tripods/heads.
Mark Williams
Veteran
I f you have never done this before just take your rail and carriage to any small car repair shop . They will have a drill press and can do the 3/8-16 tap . It will cost you less than the buying the drill and tap set. In my case they did it for free.