Key Books, Standards & Training for Deep Hole Drilling

A deep hole drilling engineer who relies only on experience will eventually hit a ceiling that theory alone can break through. But with no single textbook covering the full breadth of the field — from BTA tool design to drill-string dynamics to coolant filtration — knowing where to start is itself a skill.

Deep hole drilling is a specialised field within manufacturing engineering, but unlike general machining or welding, it lacks a single canonical reference that every practitioner knows. The knowledge is scattered across academic monographs, industry standards from multiple continents, proprietary training programmes from tool manufacturers, and research journals that span mechanical engineering, geology, and petroleum engineering.

This article provides a structured guide to the key resources available to deep hole drilling professionals, organised by type — books, standards, training, and research outlets — with practical recommendations for engineers at different career stages.

Essential Books ​

The literature on deep hole drilling falls into three categories: general drilling monographs, specialised deep hole drilling references, and broader machining textbooks with substantial drilling content.

Dedicated Deep Hole Drilling Books ​

Astakhov (2014) is the most technically rigorous reference available on drill design and cutting mechanics. It covers the geometry of twist drills, gun drills, and BTA tools in detail, with analytical models for thrust force, torque, and tool wear. The book is essential for engineers who need to optimise tool geometry for specific materials or troubleshoot chronic tool failure modes. Its treatment of drill point geometry — including the mathematical description of flank surfaces — is unmatched in the English-language literature.

Laughton (2025) takes the opposite approach: practical, experience-based guidance for the shop floor. It covers process selection (when to use gun drilling vs. BTA vs. EDM), common defect diagnosis, coolant system troubleshooting, and inspection methods. Less mathematically demanding than Astakhov, it is the better starting point for newcomers to the field.

Davim (2018) is an edited volume with chapters from multiple authors covering drilling fundamentals, deep hole drilling, micro-drilling, drilling of composites and stacked materials, and computational modelling. The deep hole drilling chapter provides a solid overview of BTA and gun drilling processes with reference to recent research. The book is useful as a broad survey but lacks the depth of Astakhov on any single topic.

General Machining References with Strong Drilling Content ​

Tip: For engineers new to deep hole drilling, start with Laughton (2025) for practical orientation, then move to Astakhov (2014) for the underlying theory. The two books together cover the theory-practice gap more completely than any single volume.

Chinese-Language Resources ​

The Chinese-language literature on deep hole drilling is extensive and in some areas ahead of the English-language corpus. Yu Daguo's 深孔加工与检测技术 (Deep Hole Machining and Inspection Technology, 2025) is the most recent comprehensive reference, covering BTA and gun drilling theory, process parameter selection, hole quality inspection, and common defect analysis. Engineers with Chinese reading ability should also consult back issues of Tool Engineering (工具技术) and Machining Science and Technology (机械科学与技术), which publish regular deep hole drilling research.

International Standards ​

Standards governing deep hole drilling equipment, tolerances, and test methods are spread across ISO, national standards bodies, and industry associations.

ISO Standards ​

BTA Industry Standards ​

The BTA (Boring and Trepanning Association) has published two key standards that govern deep hole drilling tool dimensions and tolerances:

BTA-STS (Standard Tolerances — Boring):

• Covers diameters from 7.76 mm to 350 mm
• Defines tolerance classes for BTA deep hole drilling operations
• Typical achievable tolerance: IT9 for production drilling
• Reference for specifying bore diameter and straightness requirements in purchase orders

BTA-DTS (Standard Dimensions — Boring):

• Defines standard drill head diameters and shank dimensions
• Covers BTA single-tube and double-tube system tooling
• Ensures interchangeability between BTA tool manufacturers
• Critical for shops that use multiple BTA tooling suppliers

Warning: BTA-STS and BTA-DTS are proprietary industry standards published by the BTA association. They are not freely available and must be purchased from BTA member organisations. However, their tolerance specifications are widely referenced in the deep hole drilling industry and serve as the de facto benchmark for process capability.

Gun Drilling Standards ​

Gun drilling lacks a single comprehensive international standard comparable to BTA-STS/DTS. Instead, gun drilling process capability is defined by:

• Typical diameter tolerance: IT8 (approximately ±0.015 mm for 10 mm diameter)
• Typical surface finish: Ra 1.6–3.2 µm for standard operations, Ra 0.4–0.8 µm with optimised parameters
• Straightness: Industry practice of 0.5–1.0 mm per metre of depth, though this varies with material and machine condition
• National standards: Various national defence and aerospace standards specify gun drilling quality requirements for specific applications (e.g., MIL-SPEC for gun barrel drilling)

Reference Standards for Quality and Inspection ​

Training Programmes and Courses ​

Sandvik Coromant Academy ​

Sandvik Coromant offers the most accessible structured training in deep hole drilling through its free online academy. The deep hole drilling module covers:

• Eight self-paced online modules covering tool selection, process parameters, coolant management, troubleshooting
• Topics include: gun drill geometry and regrinding, BTA tool assembly, coolant pressure and flow calculations, chip form analysis, surface finish optimisation
• Format: Video lessons with downloadable reference cards and process data sheets
• Cost: Free (registration required)
• Best for: Shop-floor engineers and CNC programmers working with gun drilling or BTA equipment

The Sandvik modules are particularly strong on practical tool selection: which insert grade and geometry to choose for a given material and depth ratio, with specific feed and speed recommendations.

Tooling U-SME ​

Tooling U-SME offers a comprehensive holemaking training curriculum that includes a deep hole drilling module:

• Course: Holemaking — includes sections on deep hole drilling processes
• Topics: Drilling theory, tool geometry, speeds and feeds, coolant applications, threadmaking
• Format: Online, self-paced with knowledge checks and certification
• Cost: Subscription-based (individual or corporate)
• Best for: Foundational knowledge for entry-level machinists and engineers

Tooling U-SME also offers courses on blueprint reading, geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T), and inspection methods that complement deep hole drilling training.

ISCWSA Wellbore Positioning Course ​

The International Society for Wellbore Positioning and Surveying (ISCWSA) offers a specialist course for directional drilling:

• Course: Wellbore Positioning and Survey Management
• Topics: Survey error models, magnetic interference correction, wellbore collision avoidance, positional uncertainty
• Cost: Approximately $1,200
• Format: Online and in-person (annual workshops)
• Best for: Engineers working on deep directional drilling projects in oil and gas or geothermal

While focused on oil and gas drilling rather than BTA/gun drilling, the wellbore positioning principles — particularly error modelling and collision avoidance — are directly applicable to deep hole drilling in manufacturing.

CAM Platform Training ​

Deep hole drilling CAM programming requires platform-specific training:

Each provider offers both introductory and advanced training. The advanced modules cover custom macro programming, toolpath optimisation for deep holes, and simulation-based collision checking.

University and Research Centre Courses ​

Several universities offer specialised courses or modules in deep hole drilling:

These programmes are typically research-oriented and most accessible through academic conferences, published papers, or industry collaboration projects rather than open enrolment.

Research Journals ​

Primary Journals ​

Key Conferences ​

Tip: CIRP Annals papers are peer-reviewed and represent the highest quality research available. Most deep hole drilling papers published in CIRP Annals focus on BTA processes. Gun drilling research appears more frequently in the International Journal of Machine Tools and Manufacture and Machining Science and Technology.

Online Resources and Communities ​

Manufacturer Technical Resources ​

Tool manufacturers publish extensive technical documentation that serves as free training material:

Professional Communities ​

• Practical Machinist forums: Active discussion of deep hole drilling challenges, tool recommendations, and troubleshooting. Search for "gun drilling" or "BTA drilling" in the CNC Machining forum.
• LinkedIn groups: Deep Hole Drilling Professionals, Precision Machining Network
• YouTube channels: Several tool manufacturers and machine builders publish setup, operation, and maintenance videos (Sandvik Coromant, UNISIG, Botek)

Learning Roadmap ​

Entry Level (0–2 Years) ​

1. Complete Sandvik Coromant deep hole drilling modules (free)
2. Read Laughton, Deep Hole Drilling: A Practical Guide
3. Study BTA-STS and BTA-DTS standards for tolerance understanding
4. Learn G73 and G83 peck cycles through Tooling U-SME or CAM platform training
5. Join Practical Machinist forums and read deep hole drilling threads

Intermediate (2–5 Years) ​

1. Study Astakhov, Drills: Science and Technology of Advanced Operations
2. Attend CIRP HPC conference or industry deep hole drilling workshop
3. Take ISCWSA Wellbore Positioning Course if working on directional drilling
4. Subscribe to International Journal of Machine Tools and Manufacture
5. Develop custom macro programmes for variable peck cycles

Advanced (5+ Years) ​

1. Read current research in CIRP Annals and Journal of Manufacturing Processes
2. Present at CIRP HPC or ICME conferences
3. Contribute to deep hole drilling standards development
4. Mentor through Sandvik or Tooling U-SME training programmes
5. Commission or conduct original research on process optimisation

FAQ ​

What is the best book on deep hole drilling for a beginner? ​

Laughton's Deep Hole Drilling: A Practical Guide (2025) is the best starting point. It covers shop-floor practices, process selection, and common troubleshooting without requiring advanced mathematics. For the theory behind the practice, move to Astakhov's Drills: Science and Technology of Advanced Operations (2014) once the practical fundamentals are solid.

What international standards govern BTA deep hole drilling? ​

BTA-STS (Standard Tolerances — Boring) defines achievable diameter tolerances from IT9 to IT12 depending on depth and material. BTA-DTS (Standard Dimensions — Boring) specifies standard drill head diameters and shank dimensions for interchangeability. These are proprietary industry standards published by the BTA association. ISO 18758 covers safety and performance for rock drill rigs in mining applications, while ISO 22476-15 defines measuring-while-drilling data collection for geotechnical work.

Is there free training available for deep hole drilling? ​

Yes. Sandvik Coromant Academy offers eight free self-paced online modules covering deep hole drilling tool selection, process parameters, coolant management, and troubleshooting. Sandvik, ISCAR, Kennametal, Mapal, and Botek all publish free technical guides and application handbooks. Tooling U-SME offers holemaking training on a subscription basis.

What is the difference between BTA-STS and BTA-DTS standards? ​

BTA-STS (Standard Tolerances — Boring) defines the achievable bore tolerances for BTA deep hole drilling operations, including diameter tolerances and straightness expectations. BTA-DTS (Standard Dimensions — Boring) defines standard drill head diameters and shank dimensions to ensure interchangeability between BTA tooling suppliers. Both are necessary for specifying deep hole drilling work to contract shops.

Which research journals publish deep hole drilling papers? ​

The primary journals are CIRP Annals (highest quality, BTA-focused), International Journal of Machine Tools and Manufacture (gun drilling and process modelling), Journal of Manufacturing Processes (optimisation and coolant research), Machining Science and Technology (tool wear and surface integrity), and Wear (tool wear mechanisms). For oil and gas deep drilling, SPE Drilling & Completion is the key publication.

How can I learn CAM programming for deep hole drilling? ​

Each CAM platform offers platform-specific training. hyperMILL provides a dedicated deep hole drilling module with gun drill simulation. Tebis offers template-based programming with a drill bush library. Siemens NX covers drilling cycles with variable peck parameters. Mastercam provides general drill cycle optimisation. The Sandvik Coromant Academy modules complement this by covering the process knowledge needed to set correct parameters in any CAM system.

Are there Chinese-language resources for deep hole drilling? ​

Yes, the Chinese deep hole drilling literature is extensive. Yu Daguo's 深孔加工与检测技术 (Deep Hole Machining and Inspection Technology, 2025) is the most recent comprehensive reference. The journals Tool Engineering (工具技术) and Machining Science and Technology (机械科学与技术) publish regular deep hole drilling research. The Harbin Institute of Technology conducts active deep hole machining research with Chinese-language publications.

What training is available for directional deep hole drilling? ​

The ISCWSA Wellbore Positioning Course ($1,200) covers survey error models, magnetic interference correction, wellbore collision avoidance, and positional uncertainty. While focused on oil and gas, the principles apply to manufacturing deep hole drilling. SPE conferences also offer workshops on directional drilling technology.

Summary ​