Quote:
Originally Posted by WoodyCT
A couple things I learned- the hard and frustrating way:
DO NOT use a brad point bit to through drill. Use a standard bit, or better yet, one meant for end grain.
Good luck young grasshoppa
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Have you had issues using brad point bits?
I have actually found them to be much more accurate in my thru drilling, and give the best results. I use them because they have
the little point on the end which for me anyway is much easier to
pinpoint the center mark on the plug blank and go straight down.
I currently use one of my drill presses to drill and and meet up with a long bit in a hand drill.
One tip I can share which has helped me is on my first "plunge" of the drill press I only go about 2 millimeters. I have found that this somehow sets the hole if you know what I mean. I have tried going a deeper like a 1/2 to 1 inch and sometimes you can notice the drill bit grab some grain and look like it may go off. For some reason, I have much better success on subsequent plunges when I make that first hole about 2 mm deep.
I recently acquired a 9" metal lathe and am planning on getting it set up to do some experimenting with thru drilling on it. I was able to do a couple test blanks with some good results.