Drilling tailweight hole

[pbadad]

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?

[angler229]

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.

[stripercrazy]

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

[mikecc]

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

[numbskull]

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

[Mr. Krinkle]

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.

[Nebe]

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

[go4broke44]

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.

[ProfessorM]

Originally Posted by mikecc

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.

[pbadad]

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.

[ProfessorM]

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

[Charleston]

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.

[fishon8]

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