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Day 4

A project log for Solar Mirror Array

A proof of concept multipurpose heliostat

wkpsahlwkpsahl 09/19/2017 at 17:470 Comments

Each frame requires 64X 1/4inch holes to be drilled into the steel. I spent half the day drawing out the positions onto the frame, part of that time I spent fixing the problem I mentioned earlier about not taking the material width into account (rookie mistake). The enemy of high speed steel drill bits is heat!! and I can tell you now that it's not easy to slowly drive a corded power drill while also spraying lubricant on the bit. After getting frustrated a couple times and just letting the drill bit spin in the steel and ruining a couple bits, I decided it was prolly worth buying a couple of cobalt bits designed for cutting hardened steel. 

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