Deep Hole Drilling Troubleshooting for Operators: A Practical Guide

The Five-Step Troubleshooting Sequence When something goes wrong during a deep hole drilling job, I teach operators a five-step sequence. This sequence solves about 80% of all problems without needing engineering support. I post this sequence on every machine in the shop. The sequence follows the most likely cause first. Starting with the most common problem saves time. Do not skip steps and do not jump to conclusions. Step 1: Check Coolant Pressure Low coolant pressure is the root cause of more problems than anything else in deep hole drilling. It causes chip packing, tool breakage, poor surface finish, and oversized bores. ...

June 12, 2026 · Engineer at the Deep Hole

Gun Drill Troubleshooting: Quick Reference Card

How to Use This Card I designed this quick reference card to be posted on every machine in the shop. It covers the six most common gun drilling problems and their solutions. Each entry follows the same format: symptom, most likely cause, first action. Operators who use this card solve most problems without waiting for a setup technician or engineer. I’ve seen operators resolve coolant pressure issues in under two minutes by following the card instead of waiting 20 minutes for a technician to arrive. The card does not cover every possible problem, but it covers the 90% that happen regularly. ...

June 11, 2026 · Engineer at the Deep Hole