What do you guys use to drill a tailweight hole of 1/4, 5/16, 3/8" When you have the wire hole drilled through? I noticed when going to the larger size you have to be careful to carefully keep the bit from walking while starting. Do they make bits that have a 1/8" pilot starter bit then increase to the size of the hole you want? the step uni bits are almost what is needed but they are for shallow holes. Any suggestions?

I do my tailweight holes on the lathe after I've through drilled the blank. That will give you the pilot hole and prevent walking.

I use my lathe with a drill chuck..generally I don't drill 1/8 to 1/4 to 3/8...I thru drill and go right to 3/8...if I go slow I don't have problems:gu:

I have them in most sizes in the shop .
I will see what I have left tomorrow.

They are called step drills. If Mike doesn't have what you need you can get them at Mcmaster or Fuller Drill. Not cheap, if I recall correctly, but work great. Some guys grind their own :eek:

Forstner bit. I use the drill press and hold the plug in my hand. Haven't had a problem. If your drilling hardwoods then I would use the drill chuck on the lathe.

I drill the tail weight hole first on the lathe, then drill for the through wire on the lathe as well... easy as pie.

if you have the 1/8" through-hole drilled already, it shouldn't be too hard to drill the tail weight hole, I use regular twist bits, I'll usually first drill with something around 1/4" and then move up to 3/8" but thats only because my 3/8" is a little dull. the bit should follow the through hole thats already drilled.

I have them in most sizes in the shop .
I will see what I have left tomorrow.

These will make it real easy for you, especially if you are not real handy with power tools or are just learning. I make my own from scratch, not drills, but pretty much on the same idea. I use a solid 5/32 pilot as that is my thru hole dia.. I can even use a hand drill if need be as they follow the thru hole but I prefer the drill press, Bridgeport.
Nebe's idea is very good too, putting the tail hole in first and then the thru hole, but I think the pilot is the better option. Good luck.

Thanks Mike and Paul. Let me know if you have any sizes left. I was thinking of transforming my standard bits into the step design. Let me see if I can get them done.

If you have access to a surface grinder it is very easy to do.

Why grind your jobbers drills? Keep that set as is for general use. Buy the drill dia's you need in the pilot series.
I simply drill me through hole. The go in the tail with the drill for the weight. The drill follows the 1/8 hole nicely.

:wave: i would agree with charleston just take your time and get a good grip on the plug.