Drilling one of Pressbrakes x-members

Hello, I've recently bought one of Pressbrakes (Clive, Black Sheep Offroad) x-members (6mm thick, pictures to follow), needless to say I'm chuffed to nuts with it!!!

The thing is I have an old military towing plate, it has two bolt holes (M16) on the front face (not the usual holes), and 3 (M6?) on the underside of the x-member. I was hoping to get it over to the smiddys today to get the holes drilled on his press, but couldn't make it, tomorrow is sunday, and I'm supposed to drop the x-member at the garage on Monday morning to fit it, so no time to drill the holes.

So my question is....Is it completely stupid to think that the holes could be drilled once the x-member is on? Obviously I would be laying on the floor, drilling up, sounds difficult. I have an SDS drill.

I'm pretty sure I know the answer to this before I ask, just looking for a little hope!

Cheers

dint yu ask him to drill em?

Yeah, sent a picture, but like I said the holes aren't in the usual places, and if I had sent the dimensions either of us would have only had to have been a mm out and it wouldn't have fitted. I've not seen this towing bracket on a landy before, its either old military, or DIY'd.

rotabroach?

Oh right, didn't know about that, here is a link for anyone else that wants a look;

Rotabroach magnetic drills and Rotabroach cutters.

So I'm guessing those will fit a regular drill then, and that the hole/drill bit would still need to be lubricated whilst cutting?

Cheers for that Clive, do you recon you could make those other bits I asked about??? Cheers

muddybootson said:

Oh right, didn't know about that, here is a link for anyone else that wants a look;

Rotabroach magnetic drills and Rotabroach cutters.

So I'm guessing those will fit a regular drill then, and that the hole/drill bit would still need to be lubricated whilst cutting?

Cheers for that Clive, do you recon you could make those other bits I asked about??? Cheers

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Should be able to get get a mag drill with a normal chuch used a few before

If they're only m6 then a normal drill & drill bits will do the job. For the M16'S Screwfix do a set of blacksmiths drill bits.
Linky Blacksmiths Drill Bit Set 6Pcs | Screwfix.com

They have 1/2" Shanks and fit into a normal drill I have a set and they are pretty good, as long as you pilot drill and then enlarge the hole by stepping up with say 3mm, 6mm, 8mm 10mm etc etc.

I use cobalt alloy drill bits ( locksmith) which are available as a set from screwfix. They drill through steel like butter. Just pulse your pressure. A piece of selltape on the point you are drilling will help. Small 5 mm hole and enlarge.

chunkymunky said:

I use cobalt alloy drill bits ( locksmith) which are available as a set from screwfix. They drill through steel like butter. Just pulse your pressure. A piece of selltape on the point you are drilling will help. Small 5 mm hole and enlarge.

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Love the cobalt bits, they make drilling job much quicker, but agree with pikey normal HSS twist drills will do the job fine if you take your time.

I think he means m16

So laying on the floor, drilling up, with cobalt bits, no worries? Good stuff, thought I was gonna have to cancel the garage and wait till next weekend. Cheers for all the comments

Yeah, two m16 bolts, the other three I think are m6.

Get it fitted, 'Google' local engineering places and call them, they'll have all the gear, my mates a fabricator/welder, and that sort of job is for the apprentice's beer money. Thats what I would do anyway

Grimmer said:

Get it fitted, 'Google' local engineering places and call them, they'll have all the gear, my mates a fabricator/welder, and that sort of job is for the apprentice's beer money. Thats what I would do anyway

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Yeah, your right Grimmer, that just involves a fair drive from my house that's the only thing, but then again that's easier then the other plan!

If you had bought a britpart one you could have used a sharp screwdriver to make the holes

Wear a face mask and goggles!!

I think that the x member that's coming off would be better stay on then buying a brit part x member!!!!

I chose your x-member as a result of reading the reviews on this forum, and they were all bang on, amazing goods, an amazing design (why did land rover not make them like this???), at a great price, better then any other cross member I have seen! Once its fitted I will post some pics.

muddybootson said:

Yeah, your right Grimmer, that just involves a fair drive from my house that's the only thing, but then again that's easier then the other plan!

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Easier in the long run to get it done right the first time though

Grimmer said:

Easier in the long run to get it done right the first time though

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Correct again

Grimmer said:

Easier in the long run to get it done right the first time though

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Its easier to spot through when its a homemade outa square bracket