Cleveland C73445 Jobber Drill Bit Wire 17 Hss 118deg

Product Description

The CLEVELAND C73445 is a jobber-length drill bit in wire gauge size 17, with a decimal diameter of 0.1730 inches, designed for precision drilling in metal fabrication and general industrial applications. Built from high-speed steel (HSS) with a bright uncoated finish, it features a 118-degree split point for fast penetration and reduced walking on entry. The tapered web configuration with web thinning lowers thrust requirements and improves chip clearance. At 3.375 inches overall length with a 2.1875-inch spiral flute and straight-cylindrical shank, this bit fits standard drill chucks and meets NAS 907 Type A specifications. It is rated heavy duty and suits production environments.

This bit is primarily intended for drilling aluminum and similar non-ferrous or light ferrous materials in production and maintenance settings. The regular spiral flute and right-hand cut make it a standard workhorse for machinists, maintenance technicians, and fabricators using benchtop drill presses, hand drills, or CNC drilling equipment. The 0.1730-inch shank diameter matches the cutting diameter, allowing direct chuck mounting without adapters. Typical applications include through-hole drilling, clearance hole creation, and pilot hole operations where wire gauge sizing is specified by engineering drawings.

Key Features

• Wire size 17 — 0.1730 inch decimal diameter, held to a tolerance of -0.0007 to 0.0000 inches for consistent hole sizing
• 118-degree split point reduces walking and decreases required feed force at entry
• High-speed steel construction provides durability across repeated drilling cycles
• Web-thinned tapered web improves chip evacuation and reduces heat buildup
• Bright uncoated finish — suitable for aluminum and non-ferrous materials without coating-related buildup
• Meets NAS 907 Type A standard for dimensional and material compliance
• Regular spiral, 2-flute design for balanced chip load in jobber-length applications

Compatibility

Designed as a direct-fit jobber-length drill bit for standard 3-jaw drill chucks accepting straight-cylindrical shanks at 0.1730 inches. Compatible with hand drills, drill presses, and CNC drilling equipment configured for wire gauge series tooling. Listed under Series 2228 and sized within the 0.1500 to 0.2000 inch drill bit diameter range.

Installation Notes

Installation and use should be performed by machinists or qualified technicians following standard machine tool safety practices. Secure the workpiece and ensure the chuck is fully tightened before operation. Verify spindle speed is appropriate for the material being drilled — aluminum and non-ferrous metals generally require higher RPM and consistent coolant or lubrication even though this bit does not have through-coolant capability. Inspect the cutting edges for wear or damage before each use; a dull or chipped point increases heat and reduces hole quality.