Image coming soonDogleg hole deburring tool
Which tool
Where to buy| Tool | Use | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Burring tool | Removes a burr from an edge of a sheet or from a hole | H-31 p. 4-14 |
| Bearing scraper | Removes the burr round a drilled hole | p. 4-14 |
| Metal countersink | Removes burrs round a hole; rotate by hand | pp. 4-14, 4-40 |
| Drill bit larger than the hole | Same job; rotate by hand | pp. 4-14, 4-40 |
| Deburring tool or oversize drill | AC 43.13-1B wants rivet holes deburred this way | AC par. 4-58 |
| File | Removes rough edges and slivers from a finished part | p. 4-13 |
| Step drill | Can deburr holes left by other bits | p. 4-17 |
H-31 = FAA-H-8083-31B, Airframe Handbook, Chapter 4.
Deburr a drilled hole
| Step | Action | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Look for the burr | Burrs form round the edge of the hole, especially with a hand drill, where slow speed and heavy pressure per turn make bigger burrs. |
| 2 | Remove them with the tool | Use the burring tool, a bearing scraper, a countersink or a bit larger than the hole. Rotate bit or countersink by hand. |
| 3 | Both sides | Take the burr off the drill entry and the exit side. Separate the sheets if the burr is between them. |
| 4 | Clean away the chips | Chips left between sheets stop the parts seating and score the surface. |
| 5 | Check | The rivet must fit snugly and not be scratched as it goes in. |
Typical mistakes
| Mistake | What happens | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Leaving the burr | Rivets do not seat; scratched rivet and sheet | Remove burrs before riveting |
| Deburring with a power drill | Enlarged or damaged hole | Turn the bit or countersink by hand |
| Over-deburring | Takes the hole out of round, or a knife edge | Light touch; just break the burr |
| Chips left between sheets | Parts do not seat | Separate, clean, reassemble |
Care
Keep blades sharp and replace worn ones; a dull tool tears the burr instead of cutting it. File teeth are cleaned with a file card, and files stored apart so the teeth are protected (H-31 p. 4-13).
Questions people actually ask
Why remove burrs before riveting?
So the rivet fits snugly and is not scratched; burrs also keep sheets from seating (H-31 p. 4-14).
Can I use a bigger drill bit to deburr?
Yes: a drill bit larger than the hole, turned by hand, is one of the methods the Handbook names (p. 4-14).
Limits of this guide
What the sources support, and no further.
- Not approved data. A deburring tool that takes away material from a countersink or hole may exceed the SRM's limits; check.
- No depth figure. The sources do not limit how much to remove; the aim is only to break the burr.
Where to buy
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Distributors coming soon.
Sources
- FAA-H-8083-31B, AMT Handbook: Airframe (2023), Chapter 4 — pp. 4-13 to 4-14, "Burring Tool", "Portable Power Drills"; p. 4-17; pp. 4-39 to 4-40; Fig. 4-38.
- FAA AC 43.13-1B CHG 1, Acceptable Methods, Techniques and Practices — par. 4-58, p. 4-12: deburr the hole with an oversize drill or deburring tool.
Educational reference only. not approved data. Always consult the applicable SRM, AMM, or AC 43.13-1B and your certifying authority.