Oak vase

[sue denim]

I turned an oak vase this morning, nothing spectacular but I was chuffed as the oak was old, dry and as hard as hell's back door. Sounds bad but I actually got some sparks off the very end grain. Probably had some dirt in there. It dulled the tools very quickly.

I tried to drill into the end grain to insert an 1 1/2 pin chuck but found it hard going for the flat bit. I ended up turning out the hole for the chuck with gouges etc.

Question. For drilling 1 1/2 inch diameter into hard oak end grain which type of drill would be most suitable.

I am sure you all appreciate the cost of good quality drill , thus I don't want to spend a wedge on the wrong thing.

Thanks for the advice in advance.

regards

'Sue'

 

[CHJ]

I would start with normal twist drill as big as you have.
I then use a set of saw-tooth forstener bits to open up enough to make finishing with a boring tool easier.
When I say use a set, I go up in steps as big as cutting resistance will allow.
Because the forstener bits have no central location to guide I turn a cone chamfer in the end so that the bits self centre.

An example of the method can be seen here although on a somewhat softer wood.

 

[sue denim]

perfect



thank you.