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Drilling and Tapping

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58 comments

  • cmd66
    I do my own drilling and tapping. Shouldn't be much I'd figure.
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  • dheffley
    No more than $35
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  • sarge_3ad
    I've heard some as high as $45 per hole, down to $25 per hole. Me I just always charged an hourly rate and depended on difficulty.
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  • catpealer111
    The top of the receiver is round, so it's not going to be fun.
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  • sarge_3ad
    quote:Originally posted by catpealer111
    The top of the receiver is round, so it's not going to be fun.


    That's not a problem if they have a drilling jig.
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  • dheffley
    quote:Originally posted by catpealer111
    The top of the receiver is round, so it's not going to be fun.


    Top of most drill and tap jobs are on a round surface. The MKII is one of the simplest to do.
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  • catpealer111
    Also, should I bring in the whole pistol or just the receiver/barrel? Or wait for what he says. I'm a little apprehensive because there is only one gunsmith in the local area, so it could go either way with his price.
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  • dheffley
    quote:Originally posted by catpealer111
    Also, should I bring in the whole pistol or just the receiver/barrel? Or wait for what he says. I'm a little apprehensive because there is only one gunsmith in the local area, so it could go either way with his price.


    The whole gun so he can check his clearances with the internal parts after assembly. You also need to bring the mount and the screws.
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  • brier-49
    Why not just buy a Weaver 306 mount? No drilling or tapping needed. 10 min. to install,if done right it will never loosen up.
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  • Colonel Plink
    Hey, before you try d&t on that MKII, check out B-square mounts. The one I use is contoured to fit over the receiver of a MKII, and locks on around the rear sight. It's simple, easy and far more foolproof than d&t on that particular pistol. Plus, if you decide to use open sights, it's off in about 30 seconds, with an allen wrench.
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  • Chief Shaway
    Check Brownells for a mount like posted earlier. That is what I have on one of my 22/45's.
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  • Permanently deleted user
    I drill and tap and mount the mount for 30 bucks.[:0]
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  • Warpig883
    For some of the prices listed here I would go buy the tools and do the job yourself. Just my opinion but I would pay someone over $10.00 bucks to drill and tap a hole in anything, so by my reasoning if the total job for 3 holes is over $30.00 buy the tools and do it yourself.

    It might cost you a bit more but at least you would own the tools afterword. Tools are like guns-you can never have enough.
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  • MVP
    I think all Gunsmiths should just start donating their time and materials and tools and do these small jobs for FREE. They probably do not have anything better to do with their time anyway.<SARCASM>[:o)]
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  • MVP
    Or atleast definatly not charge over $5.oo
    Anything over that is highway robbery.<sarcasm>
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  • Horse Plains Drifter
    quote:Originally posted by Warpig883
    For some of the prices listed here I would go buy the tools and do the job yourself. Just my opinion but I would pay someone over $10.00 bucks to drill and tap a hole in anything, so by my reasoning if the total job for 3 holes is over $30.00 buy the tools and do it yourself.

    It might cost you a bit more but at least you would own the tools afterword. Tools are like guns-you can never have enough.
    That would be swell, but not everyone owns a mill.
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  • Warpig883
    quote:Originally posted by MT357
    quote:Originally posted by Warpig883
    For some of the prices listed here I would go buy the tools and do the job yourself. Just my opinion but I would pay someone over $10.00 bucks to drill and tap a hole in anything, so by my reasoning if the total job for 3 holes is over $30.00 buy the tools and do it yourself.

    It might cost you a bit more but at least you would own the tools afterword. Tools are like guns-you can never have enough.
    That would be swell, but not everyone owns a mill.


    A drill press would suffice and be a welcome addition to the shop. If a mill was required to drill and tap a hole this country would have came to a standstill decades ago. I know a guy who still uses a hand crank drill press!


    I guess I am just a do it yourself type guy. I would rather build my own stuff including special tools,fix my own cars,fabricate most anything. I don't even go to a car mechanic unless it is something I don't have the time or ability to fix.
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  • Alpine
    Mill=$5,000.00. Tooling=$4,000.00. Being able to drill and tap anything=priceless.

    What they charge is what they charge. If you want to avoid drilling and tapping altogether use the other mount that clamps on.

    I don't understand the problem.
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  • mond
    All depending on the placing & set up time & size of holes to be drilled & tapped..small blind holes (3-4mm) can be diffiult..
    get a pro to do it ,so its square & done correctly..if you brake a tapp..OUCH!!
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  • Horse Plains Drifter
    quote:Originally posted by Warpig883
    quote:Originally posted by MT357
    quote:Originally posted by Warpig883
    For some of the prices listed here I would go buy the tools and do the job yourself. Just my opinion but I would pay someone over $10.00 bucks to drill and tap a hole in anything, so by my reasoning if the total job for 3 holes is over $30.00 buy the tools and do it yourself.

    It might cost you a bit more but at least you would own the tools afterword. Tools are like guns-you can never have enough.
    That would be swell, but not everyone owns a mill.


    A drill press would suffice and be a welcome addition to the shop. If a mill was required to drill and tap a hole this country would have came to a standstill decades ago. I know a guy who still uses a hand crank drill press!


    I guess I am just a do it yourself type guy. I would rather build my own stuff including special tools,fix my own cars,fabricate most anything. I don't even go to a car mechanic unless it is something I don't have the time or ability to fix.
    Yeah, I do all my own work too. NOBODY will EVER set out to drill a hole in any firearm of mine without a milling machine. A drill press is fine for a sawmill part.
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  • Permanently deleted user
    WARPIG! Have you priced some of the taps needed to work on guns?? I Have a couple that cost around 100 bucks each. You dont just walk into home depot and buy the taps needed..[:0] Oh Well! we who work on guns shouldnt want to make a living at it..We are supposed to work for free cause everyone that owns a gun is our buddy..[;)]
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  • kabar
    I noticed no body mentioned that if he does it himself and breaks a tap off in the hole, then he has a big problem. Those taps are pretty small and easy to break if you don't know what your doing. Ever try to get a broken tap out? Its not the easiest thing in this world. Also the holes have to be lined up perfect to begin with.[:(][:(]
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  • Permanently deleted user
    Word of caution: Never tap a dry hole. It causes the tap to stick and break. Also make sure your drill bit and tap match for size. Size does matter.
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  • mrbruce
    I have two mills and still do 100% of my drilling and tapping on a 40 year old drill press with a 3 way compound vice. I guess I don't ever remember working on any saw mill parts 'O)
    I do charge $45.00 to drill and tap 4 holes and mount the base and then the scope, and then boresight it, and then fire it for record..........
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  • Warpig883
    quote:Originally posted by Classic095
    WARPIG! Have you priced some of the taps needed to work on guns?? I Have a couple that cost around 100 bucks each. You dont just walk into home depot and buy the taps needed..[:0] Oh Well! we who work on guns shouldnt want to make a living at it..We are supposed to work for free cause everyone that owns a gun is our buddy..[;)]


    I have been drilling and tapping holes for years in equipment with much tighter tolerances than anything you will run across in a gun.
    I stand by my original position-you don't need a mill to drill and tap holes in guns. You guys who think so are full of crap.
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  • MosinNagantDisciple
    I drilled and tapped four holes in my SKS with a 15 dollar tap set, a 7 dollar tap handle, and a cordless drill... though I would highly recommend a drill press. Drilling and tapping is really quite simple, you just need the equipment.
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  • Permanently deleted user
    WARPIG. No need for you to be so defensive, I no where in my post said a dang thing about how to drill the holes (with a press or a mill) . And Have you ever had to drill and tap a screw hole in a pocket watch.. Well I have, talk about tolerances and small drills and taps.[;)] Anyway my comments were to people that havent had the experiences of drilling and tapping holes in guns , not to the professional experts such as yourself..[:D]
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  • Hunter Mag
    I work in a machine shop. It's a very simple process, but may seem difficult to someone that hasn't done it.
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  • BHAVIN
    catpealer. Get a B square scope mount. They clamp onto the sides of the slide and allow you to use your standard sights as well as the scope/red dot on top. They can be had in silver or black to match blued guns. I have two and it is a practical way to go. Midway and several other places sell them.
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  • dheffley
    quote:Originally posted by Warpig883
    For some of the prices listed here I would go buy the tools and do the job yourself. Just my opinion but I would pay someone over $10.00 bucks to drill and tap a hole in anything, so by my reasoning if the total job for 3 holes is over $30.00 buy the tools and do it yourself.

    It might cost you a bit more but at least you would own the tools afterword. Tools are like guns-you can never have enough.


    We have to charge by the hour, and that has to cover the cost of perishable tooling, cost of machinery, cost of building space and utilities for the shop, and our time. Sorry we can't do the job for free for you, but our family has to eat too.

    Also, go ahead and do it on a drill press. We charge a lot more to fix those do it yourself screw-ups. You obviously don't have a clue the precision needed to align the mount to the barrel. I've seen a lot of the "did it myself" jobs where there wasn't enough adjustment in the scope to adjust for the misaligned mount, and they had to be remounted or shimmed.

    There is always a do it yourself carpenter, electrician, mechanic or machinist that can do the job, but there are more of them who think they can and mess up what they are working on.
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