Thor Forums

[Long & Winding road]

I doing Terrible,

The drill bits I had were for general purpose - Broke two of them and wore out 6 others to drill TWO HOLES the back frame - Took me 5 hours!!!

I had one step bit - that seemed to do pretty good but was shot by the end of one hole.

The problem is the mounting location had the Moreride frame extention bolted to the rear of the E450 frame right where I need to install the Big Foot brackets. So i have to drill though two frames - each about 1/4 inch thick! SO im cutting into 1/2 think steel! And it not soft metal.

So I went to HD yesterday and purchased 10 diff drill bits (plus two step bits). Most for are Hard Metal. I burned up 6 of them but was able to do one hole in a hour or so but the 4th one is a bugger.

Once I get a pilot hole drilled and can use my other 2 or 3 other drill bits to step it up the the 1/2 diameter that I need. The key is the pilot hole.

HD didnt have any cobalt bits so I will order some this week on Amazon. I also saw some double edged high dollar ones that I will orders as well.

I think the problem I had at first was I was drilling at too high of a speed and using WD 40. I will get some cutting oil and use my electic drill that has a limiting screw on the trigger next weekend.

So hopfully I can drill the rest next SAT and then bolt on the cylinders SUN.

I have a feeling it will be the following weekend before I can do the wiring and pumbing.

Any tips?

I might call some local shops - looks like some have moble crews for big rigs/ buses/RV's. Maybe they can drill them in a hour and just charge me the hourly rate? Might be worth it? By the time I purchase $100 + of more bits (spent $100 yesterday) I might come out ahead.

Or have it welded on?

If I had a good shop I trusted I would bring mine in - but Im stubborn that way. I feel like its something I can (or should) do myself. Plus if it needs repair down the road I will know what to do.

I cannot believe stupid holes are holding me up!