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How to drill a small precise hole in metal?

D

desura

Diamond Member
I am modifying an old camera lens to fit on my DSLR. Everything works, except for the mount lock.

To get the mount lock to work, I'd need to drill a small (2mm) hole in the middle of the mount brace.

Any idea how to do this? Somewhat affordably?
 
Drill press would be best if you need super accuracy. A ma & pa hardware store might even do it for you.
 
hand drill + hammer

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Use a spring loaded punch to create an indentation to start the drill bit in and then drill away. Be sure to secure the piece to a work bench or vise to ensure it doesn't move on you. Hand drill should work fine as long as you are careful and go slow.

And use a good bit, like titanium coated. You may want to use a small Swiss file to deburr the edges when you've done.
 
AMCRambler said:
Use a spring loaded punch to create an indentation to start the drill bit in and then drill away. Be sure to secure the piece to a work bench or vise to ensure it doesn't move on you. Hand drill should work fine as long as you are careful and go slow.

And use a good bit, like titanium coated. You may want to use a small Swiss file to deburr the edges when you've done.
Click to expand...

best advice so far. I was going to say the exact same thing.

Use a punch tool, make a dent, use a good bit on a drill and go very slow
 
You need heat vision...in one eye only...or you could close one eye...but then you'd neat a heat vision proof eyelid...or the ability to turn the heat vision off...tricky...I'll get back to you.
 
punches dont make very accurate marks, unless youre doing hvac work or something.

when drilling metal, i always start with the smallest bit i reasonably can. that way you get the center of the hole in the direct middle of your mark, even if its just a pencil mark. once you have the pilot hole done, step up to what you need and its a piece of cake.
 
desura said:
I am modifying an old camera lens to fit on my DSLR. Everything works, except for the mount lock.

To get the mount lock to work, I'd need to drill a small (2mm) hole in the middle of the mount brace.

Any idea how to do this? Somewhat affordably?
Click to expand...

Machine shop or gunsmith should do the job just fine. A locksmith should have the setup too. Just buy the drill bit, there should be enough home shop machinists/mechanics around that would do the job for the fun of it.
 
Howard said:
They don't even think about a lathe? Really?
Click to expand...

We'd probably call that a a CNC Lathe or a turning center. If someone just said "CNC", we'd all translate to "CNC Mill" mentally.

We don't use very many lathe parts, anyway, so it rarely comes up.
 
It would not be very hard at all for someone at a machine shop, IF you want it exactly right. It doesn't sound like it needs to be as precise as you say. I could do that by hand with a transfer and a hand drill. 2mm is not very small by the way, that's 0.0787". Drill bits go as small as 0.0135". If you drill straight, the size of the hole should be within 0.001" of the diameter. Location is up to your technique and your equipment.
 
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