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How to Cut a Hole in a Steel Telescope Tube

Telescopes are used to observe stars, planets, comets and other celestial entities. A telescope consists of a round barrel, lenses and various fixtures used to zero in on observational targets. Telescope barrels are made from a variety of materials, including steel. If you need to drill a hole into a steel telescope tube, use a power drill equipped with metal bits. Be aware that many telescope tubes are filled with argon or other inert gases to prevent fogging. Wear a mask when you drill the hole. While argon is not poisonous, take precautions nonetheless.

Things You'll Need

Work bench
Bench vise
Marker
Power drill with metal bits
Safety goggles
Mask

Instructions

- 1
  Place the telescope tube into a bench vise and tighten the vise so that the area you wish to drill is facing up.
- 2
  Place a dot on the tube where you wish to drill the hole. Use a marker to dot the tube. Put on a mask and safety goggles.
- 3
  Drill on the dot, slowly, to begin the hole. Apply down pressure on the drill as you begin to make the hole deeper. Take precautions not to drill too fast or place too much pressure as you do not want to go through the metal and hit the opposite side of the tube. Drill slowly and deliberately.
- 4
  Switch the drill's direction once you drill through the tube's metal. Drill slowly so that the bit comes out of the new hole with the drill in reverse.
- 5
  Brush away any metal debris from the hole and let the telescope tube breathe out any gases from the barrel.

Astronomy