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For full features; Go to What do I need to use to drill into a car's chassis?
So my steel drillbits aren't working on my steel car.. hmm... what a
surprise. I feel stupid. Is my drill too weak or is there another type of
drillbit I can find easily to use that will work?
Enigmatic42
Actually I got it to drill, just used a smaller drillbit, but the problem
now is i cant manually screw in the screws, they just strip themselves and
dont get any grip into the hole. is it only possible to use a power tool to
screw in self-tapping screws?
Enigmatic42
self tapping screws usually don't need a predrilled hole, just use a power
drill to put them in. If it doesn't want to go in, you can drill a small
hole first, but if you don't let the screw make the hole the right size it
won't hold as well, and will probably strip
edit: it depends on what kind of self tapping screws, I assumed it was the
kind that have like a little drill bit on the end.
dvdrose18
So i guess my big issue is that my drills only work with drillbits, and
dont have screw attachments. shoot.
Enigmatic42
if you can put it in with a screw driver the hole is probably too big.
however, I have used a ratchet and socket to put in some hex head
self-tappers, so it can be done. What are you trying to attach to what?
dvdrose18
Check out your hardware store, and grab a set of these:
http://shop1.actinicexpress.co.uk/shops/Jandsfasteners/images/catalog/32l-6
.jpg
You can put them in most drill.
chris_knows
trying to put in some brackets with self-tapping screws for underglow,
drilling went decently but the real issue of manually screwing in the
screws is still there. I was considering going out and buying an electric
screwdriver to do the job, or maybe just getting some wire ties but i'm a
little concerned that wont be good enough for the tubes.
Enigmatic42
those would work except the place where it holes drill bits is circular,
unless they make screw-head attachments in circular form?
Enigmatic42
electric screw drivers aren't any good for drilling holes, and are only
tolerable for putting in self tappers. A power drill with a few screw bits
is a much better and much more useful tool. mind you more expensive, but it
might be worth the extra cash. cordless are handy if you regularly use them
in places without an outlet, but the batteries have an odd tendency to be
dead when you go to use them.
dvdrose18
I haven't seen any...Doesn't your drill have the three sides that come
together to clamp the bit? It will work with those.
chris_knows
most drills have a chuck that looks like this:
http://www.mikestools.com/images/products/sherline-3073.gif
they usually have 3 points of contact with said drill bit. this is also
good for hex head bits like chris_knows posted, it clamps on 3 of the 6
sides
dvdrose18
thanks for all your help, i think im just going to get my dad to buy me an
electric screwdriver. while it is a 3 -pronged attachment for the drill
bits, it really is circular so im afraid it would slip, its not like 3
points of contact(like the one in the picture.)
two last questions though, when I drill into the underside of my car, as
long as it is a large metal plate or bar, there should be no problem
drilling into it right?
Also I need to drill into my dashboard in order to put the switch in, but
looking under the hood I dont see any places where the dashboard meets, it
seems theres a foot or two separating them, so how would I get the wires to
get into the dashboard, through it, and near the battery?
Enigmatic42
Either you have some kind of chuck that i have never seen before, or i am a
complete idiot, or you should have no problem putting a screw attachment in
it. Does you dad know anything about power tools? see if he can help you
out.
Drilling a small hole in the frame or even through the floor or similar for
wires or screws to go through is no problem, but there are a few things to
remember.
1. Always know what is on the other side of what you are drilling. it is
not fun to hit wires, fuel lines or snag carpet that you didn't know was
there.
2. never drill close to said fuel line or wires.
3. never drill into anything that moves. if you put a screw through your
axle, not nice things can happen when you drive away.
4. keep heat sensitive components far away from the exhaust system. melted
wires are not fun.
5. never drill through support brackets.
edit: 6. remember many small holes is just as bad as one big hole
It may be necessary to take the dash out. If there are airbags, or you are
not sure if there are airbags, this should only be done if you know exactly
what you are doing. A Haynes or similar repair manual can be very helpful
for these types of things.
dvdrose18
Alright so I just bought a power tool screwdriver, set it to maximum
torque, and failed to have any dent in the metal... what? (by the way the
electric drill we had before was 40 years old so its probably for the
better that its now not used) After using my steel drillbit to make a
hole(my dad's pissed because he believes its going to ruin it for the next
drill) in the chassis, and attempting to use the power tool on that hole,
i'm about to give up on screws completely.
Unless I'm missing something terribly important or being very stupid, I'm
incredibly confused about how this is going to happen. It seems impossible
at this stage to figure out a way to screw it in. We did not buy the most
expensive screwdriver, maybe thats the problem but it seemed a little
unnecessary considering it had settings for drilling into masonry.(called
an impact driver?)
So I guess my overall question is now, am I using a wrong type of screw?
Are these screws not self-tapping as advertised and without that I can't
screw it in? Why does this task seem so easy to everyone else except in
practice?
thanks
Enigmatic42
do your screws look like this?
http://www.global-b2b-network.com/direct/dbimage/50202465/Pan_Head_Self_Tap
ping_and_Self_Drilling_Screw.jpg
or like this?
http://www.duratrax.com/parts/dtxq5025.jpg
for the second option you will probably have to drill a small hole first,
start small and slowly work larger, but not too large or you will strip the
screw. Drill slowly, and don't push too hard or you will burn up your bit.
a lubricant spray may also help.
dvdrose18
uh oh, they look like the 2nd option. If they were the first option
however, how would that help? It looks like you first have to slam the
screw into the hole? or does it assume you've already drilled a hole in,
and then screw. so BOTH options I would have to drill first you're saying?
Enigmatic42
The first one has like a little drill bit on the end, so it drills the
perfect size hole, so no pre-drilling is necessary.
The second ones I have only ever used for sheet metal, so I don't know how
easy they go into something thick. Do you have good drill bits? start with
a small one, like 5/64 inch or 3/32 inch. Don't push excessively hard or
you might snap the but off. Don't run the drill too fast, or you will dull
the bit. a shot of WD-40 will help keep the bit cool. If you run the drill
too fast, the bit gets hot and will dull faster. Once you have the small
hole all the way through, move to the next larger size, and work your way
up, just be sure you don't go too large for your screw. If you Google the
size of your screw, you could probably find the right size hole to drill.
(or someone else here might be able to tell you if you are patient)
dvdrose18
hmm so pretty much it seems if i went out and bought those 1st option
screws, i'd be set and it would be much easier? what exactly are those
called?
Enigmatic42
I've always known them as self tapping screws, but they might be more
properly known as self drilling screws. really don't know.
Don't know where you are located but here are some links:
lowes
(http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=59181-37672-
35158&lpage=none)
Home Depot
(http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=
10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100431418&N=10000003+501647+90401
)
Grainger (http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/items/2DU93)
dvdrose18
Thanks, everything seems to be working with these self-tapping screws,
unlike the crappy wood screws that came with the kit... only problem is the
electric screwdriver i bought today is now broken. great.
Enigmatic42
how did you break it, please tell:laughing:
I always thought those things were cheep, only meant for hanging pictures
or maybe occasionally assembling furniture from Ikea.
dvdrose18
well I was underneath my car, with about an inch between my nose and my
catalytic converter and i tried drilling the 7th screw in, and it wouldnt
start. 50 wasted dollars. my friend had another though, so we finished it
after 7 hours woooh! it was exhausting and frustrating but its done. the
only problem was that i put the tubes a little too far low/out so you can
see them if you walk maybe 30 feet away
Enigmatic42
