When hand drilling aerospace components the following characteristics are critical:

• Hole diameter
• Exit delamination or exit burr
• Straightness
• Perpendicularity

Aerospace fasteners typically require their own hole tolerance. These are different than universal IT standards. Be sure to ask what the hole tolerances are before starting a test.

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To be successful you need to understand the entire application especially the component size, shape and material.

• How is the component fixtured?
• Machinability?
• Material stacks?
• Machine capabilities?

Hand drilling is unlike CNC, robotic and semiautomatic drilling in that the hole location, approach angle and feed are controlled by the operator.

Always consider

• Air line pressure
• Air volume at drill motor
• Machine side clamping
• Operator’s ergonomics

Coolant supply influences

• Tool life
• Hole quality
• Chip evacuation

As portable hand motors do not have internal coolant, a lubrication paste is often used and recommended for stack with metallics. No lubricant is needed for CFRP only stacks.