Drilling slotted holes in rubber
Drilling slotted holes in rubber
(OP)
I am working on a project where we need to field drill slotted holes in a rubber gate seal. The rubber has a durometer harness of 60 to 70. Currently, round holes exist in the rubber seal which are used for retaining to the structure. In order for fit up, we need to slot the holes by approximately 2 to 4mm. Our thoughts are to use soapy water on both the rubber and drill bit and use a die grinder to elongate the holes.
Does anyone have any recommendations for how best to field drill the rubber?
Thanks in advance.
Does anyone have any recommendations for how best to field drill the rubber?
Thanks in advance.





RE: Drilling slotted holes in rubber
It is better to have enough ideas for some of them to be wrong, than to be always right by having no ideas at all.
RE: Drilling slotted holes in rubber
When you say that a die grinder is not ideal, why exactly do you specify that?
RE: Drilling slotted holes in rubber
It is better to have enough ideas for some of them to be wrong, than to be always right by having no ideas at all.
RE: Drilling slotted holes in rubber
RE: Drilling slotted holes in rubber
It is better to have enough ideas for some of them to be wrong, than to be always right by having no ideas at all.
RE: Drilling slotted holes in rubber
RE: Drilling slotted holes in rubber
RE: Drilling slotted holes in rubber
Thanks again!
RE: Drilling slotted holes in rubber
B.E.
You are judged not by what you know, but by what you can do.
RE: Drilling slotted holes in rubber
Or two passes with a tire grooving tool, which is basically the same thing with a half-slot shaped tip, no custom machining needed.
Keep a fire extinguisher handy.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: Drilling slotted holes in rubber
RE: Drilling slotted holes in rubber