Hole making involves the use of a cutting tool to remove material from a workpiece and create a hole. Drilling, reaming, and counterboring are all hole making processes that require precision tools to achieve an accurate finish in hard-to-machine materials. Hole making is used to make components for a wide range of industries, including aerospace, automotive, power generation, medical, and more.
When it comes to hole making, choosing the correct tool for your application is critical. Pacific Industrial Supply can supply you with high performance tools to meet your design, volume, and budget requirements. We offer drills, reamers, and boring tools in a range of styles and sizes. Click into any of the categories below to view our selection or request a quote. Contact us with any questions.
Selecting The Best Hole Making Tool for Your Application
While most all machined holes are cylindrical in form, they can have different features depending on their application. Common considerations to keep in mind when selecting the best tool for your project include:
Diameter: The diameter of the hole will match that of the tool used to machine it. Our tools are available in a range of standard and custom sizes.
Tolerance: Different tools will achieve varying levels of dimensional accuracy. Generally, solid carbide drills work best with tight tolerances, whereas indexable drills tend to be better suited for roughing operations. Boring tools and reamers can also be used to achieve an accurate finish.
Depth of cut: Some holes extend all the way through the workpiece while others end at a point within the workpiece. We offer tools in a range of lengths to achieve varying depths.
Recess: Some applications may require a recessed hole, or indentation, to accommodate a fastener. In this case, you’ll need to go in with a counterboring tool after the initial hole has been drilled.
Drilling & Drilling Bits
Indexable Drilling Tools
Indexable drilling can greatly reduce the time it takes to cut multiple holes in high production runs. These tools are designed to decrease the number of tool changes required during a given cycle, resulting in extended tool life and consistent production quality. We offer a variety of indexable drilling tools, including drill bodies, inserts, exchangeable heads, and a range of accessories and spare parts.
Solid Drill Bits
Solid metal drill bits are the workhorse of many machine shops around the globe. These tools are typically smaller in diameter compared to indexable bits and can machine anything from soft aluminum to a more difficult nickel-based alloy like Inconel. Our selection is extensive, ranging from basic high-speed steel or general-purpose drills to high performance solid carbide drills and more.
Spot Drills
Spot drills are high precision tools used to start a hole that will eventually be completed by a secondary operation. Spot drills are the ideal solution for improved accuracy and material engagement in NC or CNC machining operations. We offer 90º and 120º HSS drills for quick starts as well as solid carbide options for meeting tight tolerances.
Combined Drill & Countersinks
Also known as center drills, combined drill and countersinks are used on a lathe to create a countersunk locating hole for live, dead, and driven centers. With their unique geometry, these versatile cutting tools can also be used to start and countersink a hole for a later drilling operation, effectively eliminating at least one tool swap.
Boring & Counterbore Cutters
In general, boring is performed to enlarge the diameter of a pre-drilled hole. Counterboring is a type of boring method wherein a counterbore cutter removes material from the top portion of an existing hole to create a flat-bottomed cavity that matches the diameter of the tool. Counterboring is most commonly used to provide enough space for the head of a fastener to sit flush with the surface of the workpiece. We offer counterbore bits in a range of diameters.
Precision Reaming
Reaming is the process of sizing and smoothing a hole after drilling and/or boring operations are complete. Precision reaming gives you that extra level of accuracy and surface finish necessary to meet exacting standards and adhere to the tight tolerances demanded by your application. Whether you require a high-speed steel chucking reamer or a solid carbide miniature reamer, we have the reaming tools you need to achieve a quality finish in any material.
Custom Hole Making Solutions
Along with our standard options, we offer made-to-order cutting tools that can be designed to your exact specifications. Custom solutions can greatly reduce cycle times by eliminating tool changes between operations. Contact us today to begin discussing your project requirements.
Your Source for High-Quality Drills, Reamers, & Boring Tools for Southern California and Beyond
Pacific Industrial Supply is committed to delivering the highest quality service to our consumers in the manufacturing industry. If you are unsure which type of tool you need, contact us, and we will assist you in finding the best and most cost-effective option for your application. Our products can be shipped individually or in bulk to anywhere in the country. Request a quote today to receive high quality hole making for your next project.
