Drill Bits For Plug Building

[Charleston]

Originally Posted by ProfessorM

again this has been talked about for years. As short a drill as you need. As short a flute as you can use. Those fancy smancy drills are a waste of $$$ IMO. Those long drills with long flutes are useless, too flimsy and if you are not backing your drill out every 1/4 to a 1/2 inch you are going to have trouble.The harder the species the more the sawdust, chips, have to be cleared. The wood is not going to flow up the flutes more than an inch, if that, so those long fluted drills are useless. An aircraft drill, which features very short flute length, is perfect for all you will do and come in any length you want. I prefer 5/32 but what dia. you choose will be your preference. The larger the dia. the more stable and rigid the bit, pretty obvious. good luck and use the search too as it has been discussed many times. P.

"Fancy Smancy" drills ! Paul you have to stop using those Hi Tech terms my friend.

[numbskull]

I use good brad points (Fuller) for all drilling except the through hole.
Regular bits will wander when trying to drill belly holes. Fostner bits are nice, and you will certainly find use for a few sizes (3/8-1/2 in particular).

Split point bits are another option for belly holes, they don't wander, but I find brad points easier to center.

The real issue is getting a bit the correct size for the grommets you use. This is not that simple, since grommet sizes are slightly different and you want a firm fit to keep it in the plug until the epoxy dries. Particularly in maple you end up with very odd sizes (think 64ths).

Step drills for enlarging through wire holes to fit through wire weights are also very helpful. A regular bit will wander and throw off the plugs balance. You will only need one or two sizes but they are costly.

A Kutzall, or Salty ball in 3/4-1" is useful for poppers.

A 3/4" -1.25" sanding drum is very useful for bottles, pencil popper faces, and pikie heads.

Finally, get a few plug cutters 3/8-1/2 ". When you mis-drill a belly hole, which I did often while learning, or decide after a test swim you want to change hook location, it is easy to drill a plug to epoxy it in and save a plug body.

[jeffthechef]

i like the plug cutter idea...wish i knew that sooner!

[Mr. Krinkle]

Originally Posted by numbskull

Finally, get a few plug cutters 3/8-1/2 ". When you mis-drill a belly hole, which I did often while learning, or decide after a test swim you want to change hook location, it is easy to drill a plug to epoxy it in and save a plug body.

You really do learn something new everyday!