How to drive large auger bit with 7/16" Powerdrive Hex shaft

I need to bore 11/16" holes through some turned legs that are 16 1/4" long. I bought a bit that's basically perfect, except that I assumed the 7/16" Powerdrive Hex shaft would fit the 5/8" Chuck on my drill press but it does not. I have googled a lot and I can't find an adapter to let me drive that bit in my drill press. I might be able to make it work by driving it with a 7/16" socket mounted to the drill press with an adapter but that will just just drive it and not let me pull the bit up to clear chips. I also though about tack welding a cheap socket to the bit. Other ideas? I need something that will work to drill holes in two legs. Also the legs are made from some scarce reclaimed wood and I really can't wreck them.

I'm a bit perplexed. If I did the math correctly, a 7/16 hex should measure around 0.495 measured from peak-to-peak (as opposed to measuring from flat to flat). And you say that you have a 5/8" chuck. What am I missing? I don't doubt that you have an interference, but I don't understand why a 7/16 hex shaft doesn't fit into a 10/16" chuck.

Is the interference small enough that you could grind off the points of the hex and still chuck down on the original flats?

your chuck may be bent to not allow it to open all the way. I have one on a 1/2" right angle drill, and had to hammer it back into round. I think someone tightened it with a hammer on the chuck key.

Oops, made a mistake. It's actually a 5/8" HEX and it for sure will not fit a 5/8" chuck. It's over 11/16" point to point.

I bet the chuck or drill is actually metric and they chose a common fraction close to the real size.
Bill D.

I would epoxy a 5/8" socket to the drill bit. If the socket is 3/8" drive, use a 3/8" short extension, chucked in your drill press to drive it. I've done similar things with smaller sockets and bits and it has worked fairly well.

If I am understanding the dilemma right, I would probably file the points of the shaft enough to allow it to fit in the chuck.

You would still have six flats, any three of which the chuck should grab.

Sorry if my my mental image is off target! :)

Sounds like you are measuring wrong. A hex is measured across the flats, the 11/16 measurement is not used.
Bill D.

As Bill indicated, you're measuring the hex incorrectly.

A 5/8 hex will fir in a 5/8 chuck, are you sure the chuck is fully open?

Maybe it needs cleaning and lubricating?

Regards, Rod.

Holes are to be drilled along the lengths of the turned legs? how about put the bit into a chuck on your lathe and do it on the lathe?

I think the problem is the hex measures 5/8" as stated however the issue is the 11/16" from point to point will not slip inside a 5/8" hole. So in effect it's like trying to stuff a 11'16" shank in a 5/8" hole.

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Originally Posted by Ronald Blue

I think the problem is the hex measures 5/8" as stated however the issue is the 11/16" from point to point will not slip inside a 5/8" hole. So in effect it's like trying to stuff a 11'16" shank in a 5/8" hole.

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The points should fit in between the chuck jaws as mentioned before. True, you can't fit a 11/16 point to point inside a 5/8 hole, but a chuck is different.
I'm in the camp that says you have a metric chuck that is smaller than 5/8 or it's not open all the way and could use some WD-40 or whatever you like to use to clean it up a bit...... It should work.

I'm still trying to believe that there actually IS a drill bit with a 5/8" hex drive. Never seen or heard of that as a standard drive. 7/16" quick connect is a standard.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kyle Iwamoto

The points should fit in between the chuck jaws as mentioned before. True, you can't fit a 11/16 point to point inside a 5/8 hole, but a chuck is different.
I'm in the camp that says you have a metric chuck that is smaller than 5/8 or it's not open all the way and could use some WD-40 or whatever you like to use to clean it up a bit...... It should work.

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EXCEPT that the end of the chuck has a circular hole that the jaws of the chuck move in and out of. If that hole is 5/8”, there is no way a hex shaft with a point to point width of larger than 5/8” is going to fit, as you said. Can’t see how a chuck with a 5/8” opening is different than a 5/8” hole...

Perhaps the OP can enlighten us a little more.

For 2 holes I would buy a spade bit with extension.