Has anyone here drilled and tapped an M48 receiver yet? I'm getting ready to drill mine, and I don't know whether to use a carbide drill or a steel drill.
Also, I'm not sure how deep to drill the front holes (blind holes). How much deeper than the screw protrusion should I drill to allow for end clearance of the bottoming tap. I'd hate to drill the hole and tap it only to find out I'm not deep enough. Do you gunsmithing pros use a bottoming reamer to square up the bottom of the hole?
The rear holes are obviously not going to be blind holes because with the lug channel there's only about .060"- .070" material thickness. I'm not too worried about these holes though, but the ones in front, where all the pressure happens, are the ones I'm worried about.
I had to order 6-48 taps from Brownells, so it'll be a few days before I can do it. BTW, have you ever noticed places like Lowes, Home Depot etc. have acres and acres of stuff, but for some reason, they never have the one thing you're looking for?
Also, I'm not sure how deep to drill the front holes (blind holes). How much deeper than the screw protrusion should I drill to allow for end clearance of the bottoming tap. I'd hate to drill the hole and tap it only to find out I'm not deep enough. Do you gunsmithing pros use a bottoming reamer to square up the bottom of the hole?
The rear holes are obviously not going to be blind holes because with the lug channel there's only about .060"- .070" material thickness. I'm not too worried about these holes though, but the ones in front, where all the pressure happens, are the ones I'm worried about.
I had to order 6-48 taps from Brownells, so it'll be a few days before I can do it. BTW, have you ever noticed places like Lowes, Home Depot etc. have acres and acres of stuff, but for some reason, they never have the one thing you're looking for?