5mm Brad point

[Byron Trantham]

I live in Fredericksburg, VA. Any of you who live here know where I can buy a 5mm brad point locally? Lowe's - no. HD - ? I can't believe they sell 5mm shelf pins and no bit to drill the hole!

[Brian Hale]

5mm = .197"
3/16" = .188"
A differance of .009"
You should be able to find a 3/16" brad point

If you have a local Woodcraft they would carry them. If not, one of the online vendors like Lee Valley or Highland Hardware have them.

Brian :)

[Barry O'Mahony]

A 3/16" is 4.7625mm, which is more than 5% off, which may be too much.

A #9 numbered drill bit is 4.9784mm, less than 0.5% off. You should be able to find numbered drill bits at an Ace Hardware, or any place that sells taps and dies. Of course, they won't be brad point, but maybe you could start the hole with a brad point, and enlarge it a bit with the #9.

[Lee DeRaud]

If you have a local Woodcraft they would carry them.http://www.woodcraft.com/stores/Default.aspx?locate=state&state=VA
I don't remember exactly where Fredricksburg is (I used to live in Fairfax, but that was close to 40 years ago), but there are five in Virginia: Leesburg, Roanoak, Richmond, Norfolk, and Springfield.

[Byron Trantham]

A 3/16" is 4.7625mm, which is more than 5% off, which may be too much.

A #9 numbered drill bit is 4.9784mm, less than 0.5% off. You should be able to find numbered drill bits at an Ace Hardware, or any place that sells taps and dies. Of course, they won't be brad point, but maybe you could start the hole with a brad point, and enlarge it a bit with the #9.

Slapping forehaed - "I should have had a V8!!" Good idea. Too close to the problem.:rolleyes:

[Jamie Buxton]

The "5 mm" shelf pins I buy are either undersized or they are 3/16" to start with. At any rate, they fit in 3/16" holes.

[Jim DeLaney]

An auto parts store should have metric bits.

[Randy Meijer]

Yeah, but I bet they don't sell brad points!!

[Byron Trantham]

A 3/16" is 4.7625mm, which is more than 5% off, which may be too much.

A #9 numbered drill bit is 4.9784mm, less than 0.5% off. You should be able to find numbered drill bits at an Ace Hardware, or any place that sells taps and dies. Of course, they won't be brad point, but maybe you could start the hole with a brad point, and enlarge it a bit with the #9.

Barry, The 3/16" didn't work. Hole just too small. I did exactly what you suggested. I drilled all 3/16" brad and then a #9. I use a Veritas hole jig so repeatability wasn't an issue and they came out fine albeit I had to make two passes for each hole!:eek: I am in a time crunch so I had to cobble this solution. Next Monday I will be ordering a 5mm because I know I will be needing one again.

[Dar Lounsbury]

Any vendor that sells Amana or Whiteside router bits can get what you want. They sell the boring bits used the gang drills for drilling shelf pin holes. All sizes.

http://www.whitesiderouterbits.com/catalog/BoringDowel.pdf


Dar

[Bruce Wrenn]

Line boring machines use 5 mm bits. If you have a Plastics and Plywood near you go and see if a bit from one of these will work. In a senior moment, I can't remember whether you need a left or right bit, but I think it is a right. Of course if you are using a reversable drill, it doesn't make any difference.

[Dick Bringhurst]

No luck at HD or L. I had to go to Woodcraft. Not that I mind going to Woodcraft, but its 60 miles away. Dick B.