drilling battery posts

[magnetman]

I hate automotive type battery terminals. my domestic batteries have bolt connections but the start batteries for engine and generator are automotive taper clamp posts.

 

I have successfully drilled and tapped an 8mm threaded hole about 12mm deep in a battery post on an old battery as an experiment and I can clamp a cable ring to it securely.

 

but

 

is there a fundamental reason not to do this and would the bss moan about it?

[MtB]

Lead is not really a strong enough material to accept screw threads designed for steel and brass etc.

 

MtB

[magnetman]

good point

[frangar]

Why not get battery clamps with a m8 bolt fixing?

 

Cheers

 

Gareth

[DuncanS]

http://www.vehicle-wiring-products.eu/VWP-onlinestore/battconns/battclamps.php

[magnetman]

I do know about battery clamps and am using the type with upright M8 studs.

 

this is an alternative I thought of which seems to me to be more satisfactory as the connection between clamp and post is a source of trouble.

[Arthur Brown]

Good threaded posts are lead plated brass, If you really need to thread lead posts then please consider coarse threads. Threads in castings and soft materials was the last redoubt of Whitworth threads.

[n.b.Goldie]

I have in the past successfully used short fat self-tapping screws.

 

Regards

Ditchdabbler