Laser Engraving the OD Drill Bushings

As we have stated in the past, we are attempting to provide useful, durable and professional tools for the Aviation Industry.  These tools are also used by professionals who take pride in their precise work.  OD Drill Bushings Now Laser Engraved.

Improvements with each production run.

We have been manufacturing drill bushings and other drilling aids for over a decade.  With each new production run we attempt to improve on the previous release of a particular tool.  Therefore, to meet this goal, we have improved the “Tried and True” SAS-Canada Outside Diameter Drill Bushing design.  Since the initial release we have employed  our CNC milling machine to mechanically engraved the  outside diameter on the head of the bushing.    On the current release of drill bushing a laser engraver is used to apply the  diameter and other text .

No Big Deal you say…

Maybe, but none the less it is an improvement in manufacturing process and the resulting consistency and quality.  Functionally the engraving remains almost the same. However  the application of the laser engraved text, presents a crisp, more legible and consistent professional appearance.  This change is just another small design improvement to ensure our line of tools perform better, last longer and stand out in your tool box.

Sold as Individual Bushings or Sets.

We offer Standard OD Drill Bushings in sets of 8 or 27 pieces, as shown above.  Rather than maintaining stock our Ultimate Set of 39 bushings is manufactured and assemble on a made to order basis.  OD Drill Bushings Now Laser Engraved.  We also sell individual bushing to replace missing or damaged bushing from previously purchased drill bushing sets.

Custom Orders Possible

In addition, we manufacture special order custom bushings, in varying lengths, head size and diameter.  Send us your requirements and we will provide an estimate and a CAD drawing of the custom part.

More detailed information

For more detailed information follow this link to our online store

https://www.sas-canada.com/store/

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In stock at last.  

We are pleased to announce we have now completed a production run of a newly designed Drill Bushing.  We call it an ID Drill Bushing.  some technicians refer to this bushing type as a “Slip Fit” drill bushing.  At first glance it appears to be a standard “slip fit” drill bushing.

Subtle Design Improvement

We have, however, improved the design by incorporating a machined receptacle into the outside diameter of the  Drill Bushing.  The receptacle is positioned to mate precisely with the ” half dog” of the set screw.  Together, the set screw within the receptacle work to securely retain the drill bushing in the SAS-Canada Drill Bushing Block or the SAS-Canada Drill Bushing Cup during use.

Initial Offering.

The initial offering of these  Drill Bushing is in a 5 Piece set plus a 6061-T6 Aluminum Tray.  The tray is now anodized to ensure corrosion and scratch resistance and to extend its service life.

Complete Tooling System.

At Special Air Services-Canada Inc. our commitment is to design and produce a fully integrated and comprehensive tooling system.  We are working to meet the demands of the Aviation/Aerospace Industry.  Our goal is to offer tools that work together,  precisely and effectively to help our customers become more capable technicians.

To learn more, select the link https://www.sas-canada.com

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Its taken a little while to get to this point. So, the first  ID Drill Bushing Tray was picked-up from our anodizing sub-contractor today along with 30 plus identical trays.  Behold; Bright Red, Shiny and New.

A little while back, we made a decision to have all future aluminum components anodized.  This process adds a decorative and professional surface protective finish to our quality products.

What’s the big deal.?

Well…    maybe to some it isn’t.

But it is for us !

The ID Drill Bushing Tray

I have worked in the aircraft industry for 40 years. Over those years I seen many highly skilled craftsman deal with Drill Bushings they have acquired from used and surplus markets.  It seemed like they “made do” with what was available rather than a source that considered their access to a real aid to help them be a better craftsman.  Sure there are lots of suppliers out there of these kinds of tools, but I never felt that the tool was designed and intended for a craftsman in the aircraft industry.

We have been  manufacturing Drill Bushing Sets  for about a decade.

It all started about 10 years ago, my son who also works in the aircraft industry as a Licensed Structures Aircraft Maintenance Engineer came to me and asked if I would make a set of drill bushing to satisfy his reasonably complex requirements.  At the tine I had just acquired a CNC lathe which was part of my technically expanding company.

I took on the challenge.  With his suggestions and our combined experience in the field, we came up with a set of 27 different drill bushings.  The initial run was for 10 sets.  A total of 270 individual bushings.  We then designed and machined a tray from 6061-T6 aluminum extrusion. Much like you see in the photo above and the copy of the drawing of our 27 piece Drill Bushing Set shown below.

Together we began to offer these sets to our co-workers and associates. It took a little while for the first 10 sets to sell.  When we ran out of inventory, we made subsequent batches as there was vacant time in our CNC machining schedule.  We have shipped these sets all across Canada, throughout the USA and as far away as New Zealand. Now we find it hard to keep up with demand.

So… to get back to the title of this post. This is the first step in the launch of a new group of product we feel is needed and has potential to offer an organized and simple component of a drilling tool system Special Air Services-Canada Inc. intends to offer over the next few months. Stay tuned for more announcements.

We are a small shop and some days it feels like we are carrying water uphill with a hole in the bucket.  We hope to soon plug the hole in the bucket.  Does anyone have a couple of MS 20470AD10-10 rivets (they are big holes) and lend us a gun and bucking bar large enough to handle these rivets 😉.

We are working to replenish our inventories of needed tools to a manageable level.  That way you won’t see the “Out of Stock” on items in our online store, as you might find today.

Follow the link to our:

ONLINE STORE

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Drill Blocks In Stock Now

In early January we announced a new production run of the SAS-Canada Drill  Bushing Block.  We thought we would let you know; we just received the entire run back from the heat treating shop where they underwent  the Liquid Nitriding process.

As you may know this process “case hardens” the tool and results in a shiny black color providing an improved resistance to surface corrosion and scratching.

 

Added New Design Features

We have incorporated some subtle new features to the design .

Stainless Steel Set Screws

A stainless steel set screw has been place in each end of the Drill Block to provide a positive hold on the slip fit drill bushing.  These set screws prevent the drill bushing from falling out during handling. It also is an effective anti-rotation stop during use even if the drill is clogged when the drill is withdrawn from the Drill Bushing.

“V” Groove in Base

The second new feature is a “V” Groove machined into the bottom surface of the Drill Block.

• Firstly the “V” groove lightens the tool
• Secondly, this tool can now  be used to drill a perpendicular and centered hole in a cylindrical component by placing the “V” Groove against the cylindrical circumference of the component.

A good example where this feature would be really helpful…  to drill the rod end fastener holes in a flight control push rod.

To get a more details and to order online: https://www.sas-canada.com/store/drill-block/

Optimizing Drill Block new features

IN STOCK NOW!   5 Piece ID Drill Bushing Sets designed to optimize these design changes.

Note the receptacle machined in the OD of the Drill Bushing to accept the set screw from the drill block .

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Drill Bushing Cup (aka Drill Egg Cup).

The topic is Drill Bushing Cup, however, to get the discussion going on a humorous note…  we have shown a photo of a traditional Egg Cup.

An, ask the question “Why the Cup on top of the Egg Cup?  Duh … The correct answer, silly, is so the egg won’t fall off while you’re eating it 😉 . Continue reading Why Does a Drill Bushing Egg Cup Need a Cup on Top? →

A Drill Square is likely a Good Choice

The use of a Drill Square is a simple yet common sense approach to improving the quality and accuracy of fastener holes

Have you ever experienced a time when you wished you had a more precisely drilled a fastener hole?

It may not be that critical if you are just drilling rivet holes to fasten two pieces of thinner sheet metal (eg.  0.020″ up to 0.032″ thick sheets).  If the stack-up is thin, the angle of the fastener (rivet) hole is not precisely at 90°  to the surface of the sheet you say “What’s the dig deal?”  The result only slightly adversely affects the installation of the rivet or the strength of the joint.  As a result, forming this inferior joint, the slight misalignment might seem acceptable, but certainly not the outcome you wanted.

“Holemaking” at Precisely 90° and Precisely the Correct Location.

Two examples of fastener hole that require a more precise fastener fit are:

• a fastener hole to accept  a “Hilock” or other high strength fastener;  or
•  a fastener hole drilled through thicker or multiple layers of metal

As a result, these fastener holes must be drill at precisely 90° to the surface of the sheets.  It is especially relevant to note the holemaking process must be precise. It is to be accomplished without compromise.

Even experienced craftsmen, from time to time probably need a bit of help. Therefore, even experienced  personnel can benefit while hand drilling from drilling aids.  Technician work constantly to ensure fastener holes are at 90° to the surface of the sheet.  Drill blocks, Drill Egg Cups and other devices are extensively employed as drilling aids by many.

If adequate access is a problem, or a quick and simple solution is needed, a Drill Square is a good ; some might even say a smart choice.

At first glance the Drill Square seems to simple, even somewhat “silly”.  However, once you have experience the subtle improvement in the precision of your work, its not silly anymore.

In conclusion, whether you are new to the trade, or are an experienced sheet metal/structures technician, the tools offered on this website can help you to be a better and more precise craftsman.

Follow this link now to Buy Online: https://www.sas-canada.com/store/

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Check us out on YouTube!

You can find 18 videos about How to Build a Gantry Crane at Papaul’s Projects on YouTube.

So,  check us out by following the link below:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyzJsNffj7zWHLAEGPs5DJg

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