I need to bore a 3" deep, 1-1/8" diameter hole in the direction of the wood grain in mahogany. There appears to be many drill bits options including: spade bits, auger bits, ship auger bits, forstner bits, and probably others I'm not aware of. Which of these types would you suggest to keep the hole straight (no drill wander along the 3" depth). Any particular features to look for? A drill press will be used and bore rate is not a concern. Thanks.
Contributor
Joel,
I favor forstner bits. In turning we often drill holes that deep to make pepper mills and it's drilled with the grain.....
Ken
So much to learn, so little time.....
Contributor
I would probably use a Forstner.
Member
What would you guys use to drill a 4" hole, about 3/4" deep? It is Melamine and its for a dust collection hose.
In Memoriam
Can, have & would use the 3-wing counterbore, upper left.
Drill 5/16 or 3/8 brad point hole first, then with matching pilot, the CB will track on down. Cheap? No.
Contributor
I would draw a 4"+ a little with a compass, drill a hole somewhere inside, and then finish it with my jigsaw. Then I'd stick the hose in there and seal it with caulk. If you want to make it really neat, you can buy 4" bulkhead connectors. Then you just need to get it sorta close, put down a bit of caulk, and screw down the connector.Originally Posted by Steven Hsieh
Contributor
I like the Forstner bit as well. Used HSS ones for years until I picked up my first carbide tipped one from Rockler a couple weeks ago, I highly recommend it. Pricy but works really well.
Contributor
I use the COLT MaxiCut Forstner Drill Bits for drilling end grain for peppermills and like the way they work. I can drill 8-10 inches deep with next to no drift off center in most woods.
Member
To answer Joel's opening question +1 for the Forstner. To Steve - unless you have a 4" holesaw I agree with John Coloccia's jigsaw technique.
"... for when we become in heart completely poor, we at once are the treasurers & disbursers of enormous riches."
WQJudge
Contributor
On the three inch hole, I agree with the Forstner bit.
Steven, for a 4" in Melamine, I would use a 4" hole saw. http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...=35-10444579-2
Sam
Assuming you have a drill press, for the 4" hole I have used an adjustable circle cutter like this http://www.amazon.com/General-Tools-.../dp/B00004T7P1 :
Using the slowest speed possible, cut halfway through, flip the board over and finish the cut. But if you are trying to cut a hole in a finished assembly and the drill press is a no-go just jigsaw the hole as mentioned. Do not try to use a flycutter in a handheld drill. Advantage of the flycutter is that you can adjust the bit to an exact diameter to fit your need.
Last edited by Ole Anderson; 12-15-2012 at 8:04 AM.
Member
Fostner bit for the small hole and if the budget allows, a Lenox 4" holesaw with speed slot plus you will need a 2L or 3L arbor(under $100 for both). If you are going to drill a lot of 4" holes over time then I would invest in the Lenox otherwise use the jig saw method.
Rodney
Member
I made an oversize plexiglass plate for my trim router. By boring a hole for a small nail, I can make a hole through relatively thick material of any size from 1 to 6 inch radius with a straight bit.
Contributor
Hole saw..........Rod.
Contributor
1 1/8" - I'd use a Forstner bit.
If you toss a roll of masking tape on top of what you're drilling, then fix the nozzle of a shop vac over it - it whisks the chips right up slicker than slick.
For the 4" hole. I'd measure the exact size of whatever it is you're going to put into it.
If whatever you want to stick through it is exactly 4", you'll need a 4 1/8" hole saw.
Been there/done that w/a dryer vent.
Forgot to add - 3/4" isn't too bad. Any decent 18V cordless drill can handle that.
This tip is also worthwhile to prevent burning:
http://woodworkingtips.com/etips/etip031010ws.html
Last edited by Rich Engelhardt; 12-14-2012 at 6:38 PM.
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