Drill Bit Size for 15mm copper tube

wxs · 31 May 2012

Hello
I want to order a drill bit for drilling a hole for 15mm Copper tube in steel wants to be an exact fit. correct size please.

Thanks

Ron

kjacko · 31 May 2012

Well, i'd imagine a 16mm, unless you can find an exact imperial drill bit.

I would also imagine if you used a 15mm drill bit and slightly filed out enough to get the pipe through, then if it has hot water through it you could be in trouble?
just a theory though.

plugwash · 31 May 2012

I'd think 16mm would be too large but it really depends on what the tolerance of your tube is and how you are planning to fit it in the hole.

BTW if you need an acrurate hole size it's best not to make it in one step, it's better to drill an undersized hole (say 14mm) first and then drill it out to the final size as drills tend to wobble when removing lots of material. For really high accuracy you may want to consider a reamer for the final step.

WabbitPoo · 2 Jun 2012

Why is this in the Disasters section?

mattylad · 2 Jun 2012

Perhaps because if its too big it will be a disaster. lol

merlin50 · 5 Jun 2012

19/32 drill or 39/64 simples

big-all · 5 Jun 2012

why do you need such an accurate sized hole you may as has been said be storing up problems

ldoodle · 8 Jun 2012

My parents had their central heating put in about 5 years ago (was a hot air system before), and what the installers did was drill holes through the bricks big enough for 20mm copper so that was nice a tight, then threaded the 15mm copper through the 20mm.

Obviously where 20mm pipe was actually needed they used the next size up for the 'container' pipe.

mysteryman · 8 Jun 2012

You would not want 15mm pipe tightly fitted through steel. The installers did a good job there.

k13wjd · 10 Jun 2012

drill a 14mm hole. Reem the rest out until the pipe fits.

Simples.

kirkgas · 6 Jul 2012

pipes should be sleeved through anything to allow for thermal expansion and contraction, so get a pipe bigger than the pipe you are fitting and drill a hole to suit the bigger pipe

noddy997 · 10 Jul 2012

you dont want a "perfect" or "tight" fit, 16mm for a 15mm is not too big 1mm is not much.

Mind you, I recently put in a wash hand basin in a WC with the bathroom nextdoor, and drilled a 16mm for the 15mm hot water pipe to run through. the WC had a cold feed from the bathroom anyway but the cold feed pipe was a "perfect fit" however the cold doesnt "contract and expand" as the hot pipe would

PLus a 15mm pipe vs 15mm hole you'd most like be forcing it through as it will be relatively tight.

k13wjd · 10 Jul 2012

if he's doing something that needs a tight fit, then he might a tight fit as a seal.

I've used copper into alloy blocks for engine builds, and indeed into brass for turbos. I normally drill them on the small size,then freeze the copper, and tap it in with a soft drift. you'll be better of using a set of vernier calipers to measure the pipe, and drill to that size, before using a honeing stone or similar.

google interference fit

hazetimesfive · 12 Nov 2012

i have no idea what this is about...

mattylad · 12 Nov 2012

Then why did you reply to a post that is several months old with that?

diynot

If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.

Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.

Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local

Drill Bit Size for 15mm copper tube

merlin50

mysteryman

Similar threads