Need help drilling through coinbox

[slash007]

I am trying to drill a hole in my new add -on bill acceptor boxes that I got from Etowah Valley and am having a lot of trouble. I have tried different type drill bits with no luck. I am trying to drill through the side to run the wires out and it seems way tougher than the back as I was able to drill a hole in the back with no trouble. Any recommendation on what type bit to use? I have tried cobalt bits and even tried starting with a small bit first, but I haven't even been able to make it through with the smallest bit.

 

[Kevin James]

My guys swear by these Bad Dog drill bits https://baddogtools.com/ Buy some and give them a try.

 

[slash007]

They seem nice, but I really want to pick something up locally so that I can get this project over with. It's been too long and I'm ready to finish up.

 

[PaulLovesJamie]

Yeah, thats the disadvantage of harder steels for security.
I drilled thru the sides and top of my etowah valley boxes, I used the best carbide bits the available at the local ace hardware to drill a pilot hole, then a couple of their best step bits to enlarge them. A heavy dose of patience helped a lot too.

 

[MEP001]

I use a cobalt drill bit to drill only an 1/8" hole and enlarge it with a step-drill. Use a lot of pressure and drill at a slow speed, and don't use a center-punch to mark your hole (Stainless becomes tool-hardened when you do that). I bought Vari-Bit and Unibit step drills at $50-70 each, and later found these are just as good:

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-piece...lls-91616.html

Same as with the cobalt bits, you need to drill with a lot of pressure and a slow speed. I never use cutting oil.

 

[slash007]

Those harbor freight step bits are what I used to drill through the doors for the cc readers. They are worn out now, so I'll get some more. I'm curious, what size holes did you guys end up drilling? I can probably get away with a 1/2" hole to run the wires through, but I wanted one of the boxes to have a larger maybe 7/8" hole so that I could fit a piece of liquid tight hose through it.

 

[Earl Weiss]

My Etowah Bill acceptors are flush against the masonry surrounding the regular boxes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPBxcHLP3mg
You don't need a big hole. 3/8" Should be plenty. I just ran them thru some poly tube to prevent chafing. If there is any exposed area you may want the liquitite.

 

[MEP001]

Earl, by any chance do you have a CryptoPay unit you could open up easily and look at the button? I want to try their unit if I can tie it into my programmable relay to cancel the transaction when the customer selects "STOP" on the switch.

 

[PaulLovesJamie]

I used the best carbide bits

Oops, I meant cobalt bits.

 

[slash007]

My Etowah Bill acceptors are flush against the masonry surrounding the regular boxes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPBxcHLP3mg
You don't need a big hole. 3/8" Should be plenty. I just ran them thru some poly tube to prevent chafing. If there is any exposed area you may want the liquitite.

My boxes are mounted on the the wall and not in them, so they would be exposed. I was hoping to have at least one of the boxes with a larger hole so that the fitting would go through it and then the other box could have a smaller hole and the fitting would just sit flush against it while still covering the wires. Then I would just put silicone around the pipe.

 

[bighead]

I purchased the following from amazon based on the reviews for cutting stainless.

I must say that I've used them to cut through some 16 gauge vac pedestals and some heavier coin boxes for running wires/CAT5, and I would recommend them both to anyone. They are two things that I keep going back to in my tool box.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I know they won't help your immediate situation, but to the lurkers out there, it may be a helpful tip.

 

[slash007]

I purchased the following from amazon based on the reviews for cutting stainless.

I must say that I've used them to cut through some 16 gauge vac pedestals and some heavier coin boxes for running wires/CAT5, and I would recommend them both to anyone. They are two things that I keep going back to in my tool box.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000TZX3A/ref=oh_details_o04_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FZ2UOY/ref=oh_details_o04_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I know they won't help your immediate situation, but to the lurkers out there, it may be a helpful tip.

Just bought the set from amazon. Will see how it goes. Thanks.

 

[soapy]

Harbor Freight is usually not the best quality tools. I go to industrial supply houses and get the best cobalt bits they have. Also pick up some cutting fluid. This keeps the bits cool and helps them cut through much easier. Go slow.