Drilling tailweight hole

[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.

[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.

[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.