Woodwork Q- large deep holes?

[inchpincher]

I want to make some maple blocks to hold thin tube in the vice for filing mitres. They are about 3" square and need 1"+ holes drilled through the middle.

My hole saws will bottom out (although I could pilot drill then flip the block over but not sure this will be tidy) and I don't trust my flat bits to do a neat job on maple either. I see Auger bits and Forstner bits for sale but have no experiance, would these cut hardwood neatly?

The sort of thing I want to make (image borrowed from mtbrforum):

 

[magnet]

google scotcheye augers i use them for greenwoodwork they might fit the bill.......Magnet

 

[shenion]

If the hole saw makes it more than half way through; do one side, then drill the pilot hole through and finish with hole saw from other side.

Forsner bits will work well and are designed for wood.

 

[mart]

If the hole saw makes it more than half way through; do one side, then drill the pilot hole through and finish with hole saw from other side.Forsner bits will work well and are designed for wood.

(Bold above) This is what I would probably do. You don`t say whether or not you have a drill press to put your flat bits in. A lotter better than drilling free hand of course.

 

[pete23]

forsner bit is the way to go, looks like they,ve had a router put a bevel on them before being cut in half.

 

[Shox Dr]

Just knock the plug out and continue the hole

 

[chevy2]

Flat bits are the cheapest method,
best in a bench drill and run them at quite high speed.

 

[TechnicAl]

Forstner bits are good if you buy quality ones. There are loads of crap out there and not always cheap crap. Just buy the size you want (not a kit unless you pay hundreds) and buy a known brand from a shop (so you can take it back if its crap)
Ive got a few good ones and a few crap ones from the same brand, Bosch and De walt, but they are probably rebranded stuff so it depends where they got them

 

[octo0072000]

Just knock the plug out and continue the hole

as said by the good Dr Shox

 

[inchpincher]

Thanks guys. I do have a large drill press and have rough cut holes in walnut before using the flat bits but I want these to have a clean finish. Hole saws would be best because I've got a decent selection but was pensive about snapping the plug out - btw screwdriver down the pilot hole and wiggle the right sort of technique?

The maple is so expensive I want to nail it first time and I thought buying steel was dear

 

[Shox Dr]

btw screwdriver down the pilot hole and wiggle the right sort of technique?

Yup that would do. They are called shaft clamps by the way

 

[pidgeon chit welder]

Drill a pilot hole with a 6 long re ground masonry bit say 2 mm forstener it out down the pilot hole to depth on one side turn it over and forstener it from the other side following the pilot hole yopu should get a hole to about 6 inches deep

I got a cheapie set of Forsteners in a wooden case from Aldi many years ago they are good so long as you use a drill press in the medium speed areas they are great best £ 5 'er I've spent in many a year.

Failing the above , router a small " 90 % Vee " in a length of wood so it is just deep enough to grip the pipe without crushing it . Test it to see it does not go too deep when satisfied cut the length in half . Mark the vee's indicating what dia pipe it is for .
The blocks can then be as long as you like add G cramps to them if needed

Two bits of wood could give you two , four or six different pipe dia's to grip depending on the number of grooves & depths you route them in .

 

[KemppiFrog]

Forstners, bought a set from Axminster for not much money and work well in oak.
Hole saw from two sides tends to form a distorted hole, so one side and break out the plug (as recom above)

 

[outofthefire]

Hole saw from two sides tends to form a distorted hole, so one side and break out the plug (as recom above)

Thats my experience as well, my holesaws are always off a fraction to much to drill neatly from both sides.

 

[rosinante]

Hi Forstner bits are the way to go,screwfix ,axminster cheapo sets will do the job very well , trick is no more than 1000 rpm max , there are extension pieces available to increase the depth,withdraw frequently to clear waste, will leave a smooth hole, no pilot required as the are guided by the rim of the cutter,other wise power auger in drill press will leave a reasonable hole but more expensive,which ever you use very light feed to start to prevent grabbing and a messy start to the hole,HTH
Chris

 

[johnny max]

I got a set of fostner bits in aldi €9