gundrill

A gundrill is a specialized machine tool used for drilling deep, precise, and accurate holes. Its name derives from its historical use in the manufacture of gun barrels, which require exceptionally straight and smooth bores. The key characteristic of a gundrill is its cutting head, which is typically a single-point carbide cutter. This cutter is designed to rotate at high speeds and advance into the workpiece, removing material efficiently.

The process involves a hollow shaft that delivers cutting fluid and lubricant to the cutting head. This fluid serves multiple purposes: it cools the cutting edge, flushes away chips, and lubricates the drilling process. The chips are then expelled through flutes incorporated into the gundrill's shank. This internal chip evacuation system is crucial for achieving deep holes without clogging or interrupting the drilling operation.

Gundrills are known for their ability to produce holes with excellent surface finish and tight tolerances. They are used in a wide variety of industries, including aerospace, automotive, oil and gas, and mold making, for applications such as drilling cooling channels in turbine blades, fuel injection systems, and hydraulic components. The precision and efficiency of gundrilling make it a preferred method for many demanding hole-making tasks where standard drills might struggle to achieve the required quality or depth.