kicker steering from main engine hookup question

[Georgesalmon]

I have mounted a 9.9 merc pro-kicker on my transom. To tie the steering into the main engine I made a SS tiebar with tie rod ends. I changed the steering bolt on the main engine to a longer 3/8" fine thread bolt. The old steering connecting bolt that went up through the main engine and attached to the cable steering was "hardened" SS and I could not drill a hole in it for a retaining pin to hold the new slave arm on in use(wrecked several drill bits using slow speed on my drill press and lots of oil trying). Thus the new plain old bolt. The new bold is not hardened. I thought I did a great job until my son saw it. His simple comment was; "Dad, they use a hardened bolt for a reason". Question; Should I be worried that the new bolt might shear and I could lose steering at high speed? It's an old 115hp outboard, and brand new teleflex no-feedback cable steering. I did the same thing on the kicker though I don't care if that bolt shears at trolling speed.

Is there a way to drill a 1/8" hole in grade 8 SS. I tried titanium drill bits.

I could take and post a picture later if I didn't explain this well enough to understand.

Is this another example of the college grad kid being smarter than the HS grad old man?

Thanks in advance for help.

 

[Georgesalmon]

Re: kicker steering from main engine hookup question

Pictures;

 

[foodfisher]

Re: kicker steering from main engine hookup question

Can't help with anything other than S/S is best drilled with cobalt bits.

 

[etracer68]

Re: kicker steering from main engine hookup question

Im a tool maker, and have drilled ss grade 8. We use high speed steel, with 10% cobalt. They should be a split tip 135 degree tip. And use a good cutting oil. You may have to grind a small flat, and center drill it first.

 

[Georgesalmon]

Re: kicker steering from main engine hookup question

Thanks, I'll look for some cobalt bits and try again.

 

[Georgesalmon]

Re: kicker steering from main engine hookup question

short story. Got a cobalt bit, ground a flat spot, center punch, drill press at 300rpm (slowest) lots of cutting oil. Went though it like butta. Thanks for the help.