Budget

Starting deep hole drilling does not require a $200,000 new machine. I have seen small shops enter this field with well under $100,000 and grow their business from there. The key is knowing which equipment to buy, what to look for in a used machine, and how to budget for the supporting tooling and training that make the machine productive. Three Entry-Level Paths I have helped shops take three different paths into deep hole drilling. Each path has different upfront costs, capability limits, and growth potential. The right choice depends on the shop’s existing equipment, budget, and target work. ...

Buying a used deep hole drilling machine is a common way to save money. I have bought and sold several used machines over the years, including a 1995 gundrill that ran for another eight years after purchase and a BTA machine that needed a full spindle rebuild within six months. The difference between those two outcomes was the inspection process. Here is the checklist I use. Spindle Inspection The first thing I check is the spindle. I listen for bearing noise during a test run at multiple RPMs. A quiet spindle with smooth operation is a good sign. A rumbling or grinding sound means bearing replacement, which costs $5,000 to $15,000 depending on the spindle size and whether the replacement includes a new bearing cartridge or requires a full rebuild. ...