Fork drilling - recommendations?

Can anyone recommend a good workshop/bikeshop that drills forks? I've got a pair of Moda forks (carbon with alu steerer), and want to have it done properly, which, I'm told, requires a pillar drill.

Any suggestions gratefully received, cheers.

Does the fork have a cut out on the rear for a caliper? I had a similar style track fork, once you chipped off the paint had a bolt fitted (so a road fork pretending to be a track fork!?!) might be worth a check before drilling.

There isn't a hole for a rear caliper, but I'll have another look at the fork to see. Cheers

I think the stock forks on moda forte track frameset can be drilled. you dont need a pillar drill a decent hand drill will do just fine.

Sorry to resurrect an old thread, but could anyone recommend a London shop that can drill a steel fork (properly)? It's for a beater, so I can't really justify another clamp on...

Thanks

if its for a beater why not do it by hand?

I don't know of any shops that have a pillar drill.

any engineering place would do it for little cash

Take the fork to Harry Perry cycles in Woolwich. He just got my fork drilled for a very reasonable price (couple of pints sorta thing). Gave it to his framebuilder friend to do.

Hi, my fork is drilled, but the hole is not wide enough to install the brake I have.

Anyone in London up for drilling the hole again with a larger bit?

cheers

Apolloxl,

if it's already got a hole it probably just needs opening up only a tiny amount to accept the bolt, use a reamer, it's too easy to balls up metal parts with electric drills...
http://www.lfgss.com/thread20068.html
: )

thanks mate, very good idea! however couldn't wait to get on the bike so lbs did it for a fiver
bit extravagant but cheaper than the tool I suppose
:D

Just bought a frame with an Alpina for which is drilled but then sealed over. Do you think I can get away with using a domestic hand drill to remove the bung or do I need to get a pro with a pillar drill?

hand drilling takes ages - it's pretty straight forward though.

theres a LBS in the arches near london bridge - druid cycles - they can drill forks for next to nothing and if they aren't busy, can do it in an hour or so.

Colnago Master Pista fork - enough height in the fork crown to drill and then mount a standard Campag brake?

Colnago Master Pista fork - enough height in the fork crown to drill and then mount a standard Campag brake?

Sacrilege!!

However, any decent LBS should be able to confirm that it will be OK and do the work for peanuts.

Thanks NLL. I agree that it's sacrilege and I'm battling with that but I really do need a brake!
Quandary...

Do track forks typically have less height in the crown?

I am in the process of buying an aluminium frame with undrilled steel forks; does anyone know a bike store that will definitely drill steel forks or does anyone on here drill forks?

. Here is a picture of the fork crown

Cheers, Michael

DIY?? Or a local engineering shop?

Depends on where you are. Harry Perry cycles in SE18 did one for me for 5 quid. He sent it out to a mate of his who is a framebuilder.

Depends on where you are. Harry Perry cycles in SE18 did one for me for 5 quid. He sent it out to a mate of his who is a framebuilder.
Im located in SE london, se14 to be precise. I'll give 'em a ring to check if they can drill mine. Cheers.

Talk to Paul. He will sort you out. Top chap.

Talk to Paul. He will sort you out. Top chap.

Cheers. I shall have a chat with him. Cheers once more, repped.

Borrow a drill with the correct sized bit for the brake, measure the middle point and then drill the hole.
Next measure the size of the allen key bolt and use a slightly larger drill bit to make the hole bigger, until it the bolt fits snug.
Its not that hard if you got access to the tools (which I think is the problem?) just time consuming to get precise.
I've been riding DIY for ages and everything is all good.
But for peace of mind paying £5 is probably worth it.
Good luck with finding a place anyways!

Borrow a drill with the correct sized bit for the brake, measure the middle point and then drill the hole.
Next measure the size of the allen key bolt and use a slightly larger drill bit to make the hole bigger, until it the bolt fits snug.
Its not that hard if you got access to the tools (which I think is the problem?) just time consuming to get precise.
I've been riding DIY for ages and everything is all good.
But for peace of mind paying £5 is probably worth it.
Good luck with finding a place anyways!
Cheers for the advice. Repped.