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Drill bits used for capping

mike barnes

New member
Thought I should just point out some differences in drill bits. Having recently started capping, I'd decided to go for 8mm bits and Hilti caps. With 1 of my bits, the caps fell in easy as, whilst on another bit, I really had to whack then in. 3 of the bits were new. Different length ones from different manufactures, so I decided to check them. I have a digital vernier gauge and all 3 were different sizes. 8.0, 8.1 and 8.3. As the caps are 8.1mm diameter, it was easy getting them into the 8.3 hole, a bit of light tapping for the 8.1 hole, but several whacks for the 8 mm hole. It seems like something worth watching out for if you've got the tool to measure. The 8mm can now live in the tool box.

Incidentally, Robin Knox-Johnstone, when sailing around for the first time ever without stopping had a problem. His generator had packed up in the Southern Ocean and so couldn't use his radio. Not having any feeler gauges, he measured an inch from a page in a book, then divided the pages up to give him the necessary spark plug gauge. 
 
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