According to best practices, how often should the drill-reamer or drill bit be checked?

Drill-reamers and drill bits play a critical role in aerospace assembly, where precision and safety are paramount. Best practices dictate that these tools should be checked regularly to ensure they are functioning properly and to avoid the risks associated with tool wear, such as inaccuracies in hole sizes, potential damage to the workpiece, or failure of the assembly.

Checking the drill-reamer or drill bit after every fifth hole is a balanced approach that allows mechanics to maintain oversight of tool condition without interrupting workflow excessively. This frequency ensures that any wear or damage can be identified early enough to prevent further issues, while also allowing for productivity by not being overly disruptive. By checking at this interval, mechanics can assess the sharpness and integrity of the bit, allowing for timely replacements or sharpening, which enhances both safety and quality in the assembly process.

Other frequencies, such as after every hole or every second hole, could lead to unnecessary interruptions in workflow, while checking only at the end of a drilling session may allow too many flawed holes to be created before any issues are detected, which is not aligned with best practices in aerospace assembly.