Router Cutter Help - Hole Drilling

[Skeety]

Hi All,

Hope you can help, I'm working on a project that involves drilling holes into wood but not all the way through, 10mm max depth. I have made the jig to use a 30mm guide bush.

Can anyone point me in the direction of a 22mm 1\2" or 1\4" bit that is suitable? The wood will mainly be pine, MDF and possibly iroku. It won't be drilling huge amounts but don't want to use a Forstner or Flat bit for finish and accuracy reasons (Clock face)

Budget is pretty tight so the better makes are probably out.

Many thanks for your help

Jon.

 

[MattRoberts]

Here you go : http://www.wealdentool.com/acatalog/Onl ... k_240.html

 

[Cordy]

Skeeter
this
was recommended here a while back

I got one and it's great; mine is used to cut mortises; so same as what you want, ie drilling holes but not all the way through.
hope this helps

 

[MattRoberts]

I think skeeter is after a router bit as opposed to a drill bit though Unless they are a 1/2" shank?

 

[clk230]

I may be missing something , but if your drilling 22mm holes can you not just use a Forstner bit ?

 

[Cordy]

MattR
The bit that I have is for a half inch router

Been using it today to route mortise holes into Walnut

 

[WellsWood]

Don't forget that a lot of router cutters are designed to cut sideways rather than drill holes - if going down that route make sure you get one with cutting edges that go all the way to the centreline. Most of the ones on the page Matt linked to are good, and Wealden stuff is very good. Personally I'd still use a good quality forstner bit in a drill press if possible.

 

[MattRoberts]

MattR
The bit that I have is for a half inch router

Been using it today to route mortise holes into Walnut

Ah, that's a good option then. Does it leave a flat bottom?

 

[oakmitre]

Can you elaborate more on this

finish and accuracy reasons (Clock face)

Does this mean it has to be exactly 22mm or are you referring to the indentations that they leave at the base of the hole.

I have cut 22mm holes with completely flat bottoms using a bit that costs £1.85. Just bear in mind that a router has runout just like a drill press.

Also a drill press can be rotated backwards by hand, so that the back of the router bit scores the outline of the bit. This is effective in virtually eliminating tear out.

 

[oakmitre]

I wish to revise my earlier statement

Almost flat bottom - and the cutter is 21.8mm which coupled with my drill runout is 22mm

These were done in the drill press, which has really bad runout from front to back on the quill (I have no idea how to fix it).

They would probably look better if I used the router, but I don't want to fire it up at this time of night outside.

Iroko x 2, Random Hardwood, Whitewood, MR laminate flooring.

 

[oakmitre]

I have put the same bit into my router on a medium speed.
The result in the whitewood spruce is a real improvement as is the Iroko, I have also made a hole in some normal MDF.