Drilling tool and system for use in machining a conductive work piece

An electrochemical machining system for use in machining a conductive work piece, said system comprising:

• a power supply;
• and
• a drilling tool electrically coupled to said power supply, said drilling tool comprising:
• a forward electrode tip comprising an outer radial portion and an inner radial portion, said outer radial portion comprising a forward face, and said inner radial portion extending from said forward face of said outer radial portion;
• a dielectric sheath that extends circumferentially about said outer radial portion;
• and
• at least one side electrode coupled to said dielectric sheath, wherein, when electric current is supplied to said forward electrode tip and said at least one side electrode, material adjacent to said forward electrode tip and said at least one side electrode is removed from the conductive work piece, and wherein said forward electrode tip and said at least one side electrode are selectively operable to form a bore hole having a variable geometry that extends through the conductive work piece when the material is removed therefrom.