Drilling

[jlawford]

Just wanting to check my thinking, but am I right in thinking a forstner bit would be best for a hole with ultra clean entry edges? I'm making beds and my frame ends have vertical spindles which will fit right into the holes.

Does a 1mm tolerance between spindle and hole size sound okay? Ie 21mm spindle 22mm bit.

 

[WellsWood]

Sounds like the making of a sloppy joint I'm afraid. Can you not make them the same size?

 

[jlawford]

Sounds like the making of a sloppy joint I'm afraid. Can you not make them the same size?

I can make them the same size, just thinking about it being too tight- no need to worry by the sounds of it!

 

[ColeyS1]

I'd always aim for a snug fit then a sloppy one really. Perhaps you could round over the ends of the spindles a bit with some sandpaper, so they guide themselves in the holes a bit easier.
Sounds like an interesting project
Coley

 

[sunnybob]

21 mm peg into a 20 mm hole with a rawhide mallet sounds a lot better.

 

[jlawford]

I'd always aim for a snug fit then a sloppy one really. Perhaps you could round over the ends of the spindles a bit with some sandpaper, so they guide themselves in the holes a bit easier.
Sounds like an interesting project
Coley

Good idea, thanks.

I'll post some pictures at some point as a retrospective work in progress. Bunk beds for my two eldest, quite a big job all by hand including all the mortise and tenons and rounding on the leg edges.

 

[WellsWood]

Sounds like fun. Looking forward to seeing it.

 

[oakmitre]

21mm spindle ?

Where is the spindle being sourced from ? I would check before you drill a load of holes. Wooden dowel sizes are not always consistent across batches.

I drill the hole very slightly under then masking tape up the the depth of the hole on the spindle.Holding a piece of sandpaper I then twist the spindle into the sandpaper until it fits the hole.

Also if you are gluing a spindle into a hole, if too much glue is added, you have a hydraulic ram. The spindle will not seat in the hole.

 

[hawkeyefxr]

There are specialised bed fixings that are hidden, i have used them myself and are excellent. I cant remember where i got them though.