Every minute counts throughout the production process, and you don’t have time for machines wearing down and breaking repeatedly. Your team needs bolt cross drills that can operate easily without any new training and can keep up with the workload for years as you grow and scale.

With the DrillMate®, we make safety wire bolts simple: the operator lines up the bolts and presses the foot pedal, and then steps back to see it running smoothly.

Why Choose the MSI DrillMate®

Icon - Customized

Compact Design

Keep the footprint small, but efficient, with a machine that fits on your factory floor easily.

Icon - Minimal Training

Interchangeable Tooling

Work on multiple bolts depending on your needs with custom tooling based on your designs.

Cross Drill Up to 2”

Powerful enough to drill up to 2” on repeat for decades.

Icon - Made in the USA

Easy Operation

Push a pedal to start, and the machine takes over from there.

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Flexible Choices

With custom tooling options, you can drill regular and heavy hex heads, socket heads, 12-point bolts, and round bar.

Compact, sturdy, and easy to operate, the MSI Bolt Cross Drill is a long-lasting machine to add to your lineup.

The MSI DrillMate®

Standard Features

  • Up to 3/16″ drill diameter
  • Up to 265 pounds thrust
  • Double spindle (single spindle available)
  • Electronic variable speed drive
  • Electronically controlled peck cycles for holes to 2″ deep
  • Cross drill through the head, threads, or shank of bolt
  • Compact design
  • Replaceable drill bushings
  • Interchangeable tooling
  • 1/2HP 110V single-phase motor
  • Coolant system
  • Dual safety switches
  • Collet-type drill chuck
  • Painted Safety Green

Compact and Flexible

While some companies may rely on jigs or small portable machines to get their safety wire bolts drilled, we know you need an easier way. With a DrillMate® on your factory floor lineup, you’ll simplify pre-drilling so anyone can take over the machine without lengthy training or fatigue from difficult processes.

At MSI, we know every factory always looks for efficiencies without overworking and burning out their employees. You can accomplish your goal with the compact, sturdy machines from MSI. Here’s how it works:

First, tell us
what you need

Our engineers will find a solution for your needs based on the safety wire bolts you’re pre-drilling, the factory floor layout, and your existing machines.

01

Next, order your
machine

The DrillMate® will be built to order from high-quality steel for durability and low maintenance over the years.

02

Finally, we’ll deliver your machine!

Get to work quickly after installation with simple operation and minimal training needed.

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So start working with our engineers for your safety wire bolt cross drill today, and we’ll show you why MSI machines are better than the rest. And in the meantime, watch our videos to see the machines in action.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is cross drilling?

Cross drilling is drilling a hole through a bolt, stud, or shaft perpendicular to its length rather than into the end. The hole passes through the diameter of the part. It is how cotter pin holes, safety wire holes, and lock wire holes get put into a fastener.

What are cross drilled holes used for?

The most common uses are:

  • Cotter pin holes that lock a castle nut in place
  • Safety wire and lock wire holes that keep fasteners from backing out under vibration
  • Grease and lubrication passages through shafts
  • Pin holes for clevis and linkage assemblies

Anywhere a fastener has to stay put in an assembly that shakes, cross drilling is usually how it is done.

How is cross drilling different from standard drilling?

The drill enters a curved surface instead of a flat one, so it wants to walk before it bites. It also has to break through a second curved surface on the way out, and that is where holes tear out. A cross drilling machine holds the part square to the drill and supports it through breakthrough, so the hole comes out round on both sides.

What size bolts and holes can the machine handle?

[CONFIRM: bolt diameter range, bolt length range, and hole diameter range.] Every MSI machine is made to order around the part it runs, so send us a drawing or a sample and we will spec it for your job.

Can you cross drill hardened bolts?

It depends on the hardness and the hole size. [CONFIRM: hardness limits.] Send us a sample bolt along with the hole diameter and location, and we will tell you straight whether it is practical before you spend anything on it.

Can you build a cross drill for our specific part?

Yes. Everything we build is made to order in Beaumont, Texas. Unusual part sizes, a hole that has to land in a specific spot relative to a feature on the bolt, or an unusual floor layout are all normal requests.