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Seeking method to bore end grain hole in pine 4x4

7K views 23 replies 16 participants last post by  mayday3374 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I want to bore a 2-1/8" hole into the center of the end of a pine 4×4. The piece of pine is only about 9 inches long, so I can easily set this up on my floor standing drill press. However, my new forstner bit of the correct diameter just almost will not cut into the stock.

I had intended to make this hole about 2 inches deep, but after a long time at the dp, over several tries, i have only gotten it to about 3/8" deep. I used a hand drill to drill out a lot of small holes in the end of the piece in the circle to be cut out, thinking it would ease the cutting demand on the forstner. As far as I can detect, it did not make any difference, although directionally, it had to help, I'd think.

I'd like to read any ideas on how to best do this. If there is a workable method, I want to make about 10 pieces like this, but for now the entire project is on hold.

Many thanks, folks!

(Btw, it is just a primitive votive candle holder craft project I'm interested in experimenting with.)
 
#2 ·
It sounds like your bit might not be sharp enough. I have a Porter Cable set from Amazon and they do an OK job cutting end grain even up to the biggest 2" bit. The steel isn't the best but sharp enough for the time being even with my smaller drill press. What brand of bits are you using?
 
#3 ·
Hmm. That doesn't seem right. At what speed are you running the DP? Should probably somewhere around 900 r.p.m. Are you sure the bit is sharp? A 4"x4" piece of pine should cut like butter with a sharp bit, I would imagine.
 
#5 ·
I sure thought it would cut more readily, too. The replies are appreciated.

It is a never-before-used Rockler. It's right out of the package, so it might need sharpening - I can give that a try.

I was running it at 300 RPM. I will see how it goes at a higher speed, like the 900 mentioned above.
 
#10 ·
Get a cheap carbide bit. They are very inexpensive on Amazon, Banggood, and other sites. The Chinese ones work great and they are sharp and stay sharp. You will occasionally find a brand that has a bit designed poorly, with too long or too short center point, or something else weird, but for the cost of less than a standard steel bit, I take the occasional bad apple. I mean all the bits that you are going to use are made there anyway so no reason not to try them (or Taiwan, or phillipines, or another overseas market). You have to go to a $70 bit to get a perfect quality German one.
 
#12 · (Edited by Moderator)
bilyo, the machine is rotating the right direction.

It's generally a good question. For example, I can tell you about what happens when you mount a blade backwards in a table saw … but I won't go off on that tangent now.

But in this case that sort of thing isn't the issue, and I don't know any way to make this drill press spin the other direction.
. . .
 
#17 ·
You said that the bit you are using is new. I suppose it is possible that the bit is defective; somehow got sharpened improperly or not at all? Have you examined it to see that it has properly sharpened edges?

What does the bit do when you lower the quill? Does it try to cut but not advance into the wood? If so, maybe something is keeping the quill from moving farther down. Or, does the bit just chatter, tear, rub against the wood? If so, maybe bad bit.
 
#18 ·
I can't really figure out how robscastle's post was intended - certainly not a compliment - best to just skip over it.

Otherwise, with your input to spur me, I have solved the problem doing three things:
i. fine tuned the cutting edges of the otherwise new bit. After inspection, I felt it did have some small, minor burrs and uneven spots, so I smoothed those off simply using a fine file.
ii. increased speed to 860 rpm (no 900 option on my old dr press).
iii. made really, really sure the two drive belts were tightly tensioned.

The third entry addressed a concern of my own after trying this earlier, so I wanted to make sure to eliminate belt slip.

Now it is approaching cutting the end grain pine "like butter".

Appreciate it, folks. As always, this is a great place to think through issues and hurdles.
 
#20 ·
I am having the same problem with a new bit my drill only goes up to 22 speed. I am in the middle of a project and am not using a drill press. Is it my drill or the bit, I find it hard to believe it is the bit since two bits i used have the same problem.
 
#21 · (Edited by Moderator)
are you using a cordless drill ? (if you are, then yes, that is the problem).
photos of what you are working on and your tools will always help us help you.
your wood must be securely clamped to something for safety.
if you are using a cordless drill, you must put it on the floor
so you can apply your body weight to it, just like a drill press. make sure it is securely clamped to something.
the trick is: high torque drill, steady even pressure, and don't wiggle the bit around.

and, when all else fails, resort to the "original" cordless drill.

Wood Household hardware Plumbing fixture Tap Metal


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#22 ·
I've done something like this using my lathe with a 4 jaw chuck in the headstock and a static jacobs chuck with the drill bit in the tailstock.

The nice part about this setup is you can start with a smaller diameter hole and progress up to the final diameter.

I do this when turning small vessels to get a head start on stock removal for the interior of the turning.
 
#23 ·
Before i spoke I went up the shop to experiment a bit .Found a hunk of old fir and did some boring into the end grain with a few of my larger forstner bits .Sharp bits fly ,cut fine . My experience ,limited as it is -Rockler is harbor frieght with a higher price . So with that statement I am thinking the bit is dull .Not unusual to buy a forstner bit and have it be only kinda sharp .It also has been my experience ,those pricey forstner bits ,ones with the big price tag tend to be VERY sharp and better cutters .
Still I am not there , If I had your bit I would run with a few others and compare .
Let us know what you learn
 
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