Explain any one of the following: Pilot hole, Countersink bit, Swarf. - Leaving Cert Engineering - Question 1 - 2021

A pilot hole is a small hole drilled into a workpiece before using a larger drill. This initial hole serves multiple purposes:

• Guidance: It helps to guide the larger drill, ensuring that it remains centered and goes through the piece accurately without wandering off path.
• Ease of Drilling: By reducing the amount of material the larger drill has to penetrate immediately, it decreases the strain on the drill bit, making the drilling process smoother.
• Preventing Splitting: In certain materials, creating a pilot hole can help prevent the workpiece from splintering or cracking when a larger drill bit is used.

In summary, drilling a pilot hole is a crucial step in achieving precision and protecting the integrity of the workpiece during subsequent drilling operations.