[A5555]

I was able to drill a hole for a -7 snap bushing the in the aft side of the center push rod tunnel (floors riveted) with a unibit step drill using a small hand ratchet and a socket to rotate the unibit. Space is limited. I did it making 70 degree motions. I'm glad I only need one hole. It probably took 30 min but felt like 2 hrs. Is there a better way?

 

[John Courte]

Depends on the size of your unibit shank. If it's 1/4" (or 3/16?) like on some of the smaller unibits (1/2" max), you can chuck it into a right-angle die grinder.

That gets dicey because die grinders are not known for their controllability or precision when used this way. All I know is that it worked for me once: I used this method to drill the holes for something (can't remember what it was), only with a 1/4" drill bit.

A slightly more intense, but probably better, method would be to take your unibit to the local machine shop and have them lathe and thread the shank so it will screw into a 90-degree angle drill. I could see a few uses for that in various places.

 

[131RB]

Try one of these.
http://www.aircraft-tool.com/shop/detail.aspx?PRODUCT_ID=A604
This chuck will thread into your angle drill and you can install your unibit with a quarter inch shank in it. It will also hold anything with a smaller shank. Very handy in tight quarters.
Ryan

 

[az_gila]

Depends on the size of your unibit shank. If it's 1/4" (or 3/16?) like on some of the smaller unibits (1/2" max), you can chuck it into a right-angle die grinder.

That gets dicey because die grinders are not known for their controllability or precision when used this way. All I know is that it worked for me once: I used this method to drill the holes for something (can't remember what it was), only with a 1/4" drill bit.
......

The Unibit in a die grinder works well. Just drill a pilot hole with an angles drill first. Control the die grinder by running it at a reduced pressure. The Harbor Freight mini one works well -

 

[krw5927]

Harbor Freight has inexpensive unibits with 1/4" hex shanks, and your local home improvement store carries a right-angle drill adapter for around $20 that accepts hex shanks.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_132-41401-13020703_?PL=1&productId=3011804

With this combination I've been able to make bushing holes everywhere I've needed them so far.

 

[A5555]

thanks for the help

thanks for the advice. there is a better way. my backside thanks you.