Ordering Drill Bits

[EricS]

Hi All,

I am just now getting going on my Waiex project and need some additional wire gauge drill bits for aluminum. Does anyone have any good recomendations for ordering reasonably priced #40 and #30 drill bits? I've always used drill bits supplied by my employer in the past and have never had to order them myself.

Thanks!

[kmacht]

I built my whole plane using name brand 1/8" drill bits without any problems. A 1/8 is .125 and a #30 is .128. I can almost guarantee that holes drilled with a hand drill will be oversize and not perfectly round anyways. All my rivets fitand pulled without any issues. If you don't have a local source for #30 bits and you aren't placing orders for anything else save your money and just buy an 1/8" bit.

Keith

[sonex980]

Aircraft Spruce is a great source for drill bits. That's where I get all of mine. Here is a link to the ones you will want to buy:

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/t ... tdrill.php

[EricS]

Keith & Rhett,

Thank you both for the information and recommendations. I do have a few items that I need from Aircraft Spruce and will throw in a few drill bits when I place the order soon. Thanks again!

[falvarez]

When I first started my project, I ordered some basic tools (drill bits, deburring tool, fluting tool, microstop, etc) from Aircraft Tool Supply. The prices were cheaper than ACS in most cases and most of the time if you order over $100, the shipping is free. But I now have the Pilot Visa Card and my ACS shipping is free so I buy most everything from them now.

[fastj22]

I'm almost done drilling now, but during the height of my build, I always found myself throwing in a couple of #30 bits in my bi-weekly ACS or Wicks order. for the #40, I just used the cheap Harbor Freight titanium coated 3/32 bits you get in a ten pack for $2. You will updrill those anyways for rivets. A new #30 from ACS are great for drilling out the stainless steel rivets. Don't try this with the titanium coated bits from HF. You will just make noise. Also get some step bits from HF. They are a must have for your panel and anywhere where a bigger than #30 hole needs to be.