DEEP HOLE DRILLING

Normally in any deep hole drilling operation, the barrel turns, and the drill is stationary. The reason for
this can be seen easily. You will notice that with the single lip gun drill that it only cuts on one edge. As it
drills in the barrel, it only cuts on one edge, and as it drills, it drills in the barrel its makes its own center.
Due to the high RPM of the barrel, it makes its own center as it drills. This is the reason why an accurate
starter bushing is so important.

The drilling of a rifle barrel is actually the simplest and most trouble free operation of all. When the drill is
not started straight it will try to pick up the center of rotation, and the hole is one long curve.

We normally turned out 100 or more completed rifle barrels per week, and in the drilling operation, we
could use low skill help. All that was necessary was for the operators were to set up the machine, turn it
on. They had to watch so the drill wouldn't plug up with chips, shut it off when done, and then reload it
and start again. When you get everything set up right, you will be able to turn out 3-4 completed barrels a
day with no problem on ONE lathe. This completed barrel is drilled, reamed, and rifled.

STEADY REST

Now about the last thing that will be needed is a special. Steady Rest to support the drill tubing as it
drills. This will help cut down the vibrations that will some times start in the drill.

You CAN NOT allow these vibrations to start. If it does, it can cause the carbide drill tip to chip, and if
you do not catch it in time, it can cause the drill to plug up and twist the tip off. Will give you a good idea
of what a Deep Hole Drill looks like.

I want to point out that this drilling setup is not limited to just barrels. It can be used for quite a bit of other
industrial operations, where extremely accurate holes are needed. In addition, with carbide drill tips,
very hard steel can be drilled. For odd shaped items where you are unable to rotate the drill, you can set
up the operation where the drill can be rotated using special tooling.