So I was doing the rare bit of spindle work (I mostly do bowls) and I was trying to get a 1 3/4” diameter recess for a candle in a cherry candlestick I had turned. I put my 2 MT drill chuck in the tail stock and put a 1 3/4” forstner bit into the chuck. Set my lathe to its lowest speed. Brought the tailstock up to the piece and was unable to get it to do much drilling. After about 1/16” of depth I decided it would be much easier to just hollow it out with my turning tools. Which indeed it was.
So I’m wondering why this didn’t work. Perhaps it’s because the lathe is a .75 hp Nova Comet 2 (not enough torque?) and the forstner bit is by Porter Cable? Bit seems reasonably sharp though and it cuts cherry fine (albeit slowly) in my drill press.
Thanks for your insights
-dan