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Drilling a drain ho...
 

[Closed] Drilling a drain hole in a steel BB shell

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[#10742879]

My Fortitude frames don't have a drain/breather hole in the BB.

I realised this one winter when I wheeled one of them out of the garage on its back wheel and water poured out of the chain stays by the dropouts!

I need to rectify this.

Perhaps I am over thinking this but do I just need to punch the area (with a punch?) and then go in with a 4mm and open it up to 5mm?

Seems almost too straight forward........

Thoughts?


 
Posted : 30/07/2019 11:57 am
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Drill away! Did my old Orange Five in a very similar manner


 
Posted : 30/07/2019 12:06 pm
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Just use a sharp 5mm drill and go very slowly so as not to overheat it. You should see a steady curl of swarf coming out of the hole if you're doing it right.


 
Posted : 30/07/2019 12:10 pm
 Yak
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I think I went 3 or 4mm on mine. I suppose bigger is better though. Anyway - well worth it so get drilling.


 
Posted : 30/07/2019 12:24 pm
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Thanks folks.

Could I be lazy and leave the BB in?


 
Posted : 30/07/2019 1:13 pm
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Yup


 
Posted : 30/07/2019 1:14 pm
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I'd take the BB out first, perhaps a little touch of paint on the newly drilled bit to stop it rusting immediately.


 
Posted : 30/07/2019 6:13 pm
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I'd leave the BB in, no chance of getting swarf into the BB threads if they're occupied by the BB!


 
Posted : 30/07/2019 6:27 pm
 Yak
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I'd take it out to give it all a good clean up, get any swarf out and regrease the threads. We're not talking hours of hard labour here - just a few extra minutes.


 
Posted : 30/07/2019 6:33 pm
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just drill it.


 
Posted : 31/07/2019 12:04 am