I have been on both sides of this decision. I have set up in-house gun drilling operations and I have sent work to specialized shops. Both are the right answer in different situations. The decision comes down to four factors: volume, diameter, depth, and how much your time is worth. When In-House Makes Sense In-house gun drilling works best when the conditions are right for it. Here is what I look for: ...
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 your first deep hole drilling machine is a significant investment and a major step for any shop. I have helped several shops make this purchase, and I have seen both good decisions and expensive mistakes. The key is matching the machine capability to the work you plan to do while leaving room for growth. Capacity Planning for Your First Machine The most common mistake I see is buying a machine that is too small. Shops focus on the first job they have lined up and buy a machine that barely handles it. Six months later, they turn down work because the machine cannot handle larger diameters or deeper holes. ...