VACDRILL for shipbuilding and marine
Bulkheads and overheads, where nothing is a convenient working height.
The job
Marine fit-out drills into steel bulkheads, composite panels and coated surfaces, in compartments where the work is rarely at a comfortable height or angle.
Where the tool fits
Painted steel and composite panels can seal well, and a self-anchoring drill removes the need to brace against a curved or overhead surface.
On bare structural steel a magnetic base drill may be the better tool — see the comparison.
Coatings
A smooth paint system is often a better vacuum surface than the substrate beneath it. Check adhesion: you are relying on the coating's bond as well as the seal.
Confined compartments
Ventilation and dust capture are significant in enclosed steel spaces.
Typical work
- Bulkhead and deckhead fixings for services and fit-out.
- Panel and lining supports.
- Equipment mounting in compartments.
Before you attach
- Check coating adhesion — you are relying on the paint system as well as the seal.
- Curved surfaces limit where a pad can close a boundary.
- Confirm what is behind the plate before drilling.