Michael Zerance
11-22-2015, 7:59 PM
On the last 3 or 4 projects I have been using a shop-made jig and a plunge router to drill shelf pin holes. All cuts so far have been on 3/4" raw and pre-finished birch or maple plywood. So far the results have been acceptable, better than the Kreg shelf pin jig I used previously. However, I think that some improvements can be made.
The first bit I used was a 1/4" spiral down-cut bit (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KZM3EYC?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s01). It left the edges clean with zero tear-out but it caused a lot of burning on the sides and bottom of the hole. I drilled numerous test holes at various speeds and was unable to get a clean, burn-free cut. If I slowed it way down, I would get some fuzz around the top edges; speeding it up caused burning.
The next bit I used was a double-flute 1/4" straight bit (http://www.amazon.com/Bosch-85221M-Straight-Router-Carbide/dp/B0002EVE36/ref=sr_1_13?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1448239959&sr=1-13&keywords=bosch+1%2F4%22+bit). I was able to get burn free holes with the speed set in the middle of the range. I did get some minor tear-out occasionally.
I was getting ready to order a 1/4" spiral up-cut bit (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000GYBX60/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=) but figured I would get some opinions first.
Also, I have a project coming up that will utilize either melamine or laminate covered MDF or plywood and I could use some recommendations for drilling shelf pin holes in that material as well.
The first bit I used was a 1/4" spiral down-cut bit (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KZM3EYC?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s01). It left the edges clean with zero tear-out but it caused a lot of burning on the sides and bottom of the hole. I drilled numerous test holes at various speeds and was unable to get a clean, burn-free cut. If I slowed it way down, I would get some fuzz around the top edges; speeding it up caused burning.
The next bit I used was a double-flute 1/4" straight bit (http://www.amazon.com/Bosch-85221M-Straight-Router-Carbide/dp/B0002EVE36/ref=sr_1_13?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1448239959&sr=1-13&keywords=bosch+1%2F4%22+bit). I was able to get burn free holes with the speed set in the middle of the range. I did get some minor tear-out occasionally.
I was getting ready to order a 1/4" spiral up-cut bit (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000GYBX60/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=) but figured I would get some opinions first.
Also, I have a project coming up that will utilize either melamine or laminate covered MDF or plywood and I could use some recommendations for drilling shelf pin holes in that material as well.