Why does my drill press make messy holes?

[Ives]

When drilling an 8mm hole in 18mm hardwood, such as poplar, oak and walnut, it's always messy and sort of split on the other side. I'm using a drill press and new drill bit. Underneath the piece being drilled is a piece of plywood. What am I doing wrong?

 

[marcros]

What drill bits are you using?

I tend to use forsner bits, drilling from one side until the point shows through the workpiece, then using the centre hole to drill from the other side.

 

[Ives]

Forsner bits here, but will try doing it how you said!

 

[AndyT]

If you have one of the cheap Chinese sets in a little wooden box, they may well need sharpening, which is easy to do with a needle file. Also, use as slow a speed as you can.

 

[monkeybiter]

What drill bits are you using?

I tend to use forsner bits, drilling from one side until the point shows through the workpiece, then using the centre hole to drill from the other side.

I do the same thing by pre drilling with a 2 or 3mm bit to give a centre hole on both sides, then use this to locate the forstner from either side. I find it easier and more reliable than drilling with the forstner just far enough for the point to show, but not so far as to 'burst through' with the 'wings'. The smaller twist drill needs to be turning fast, and the wider forstner needs to turn slower.

 

[rafezetter]

I do the same thing by pre drilling with a 2 or 3mm bit to give a centre hole on both sides, then use this to locate the forstner from either side. I find it easier and more reliable than drilling with the forstner just far enough for the point to show, but not so far as to 'burst through' with the 'wings'. The smaller twist drill needs to be turning fast, and the wider forstner needs to turn slower.

+1

 

[marcros]

What drill bits are you using?

I tend to use forsner bits, drilling from one side until the point shows through the workpiece, then using the centre hole to drill from the other side.

I do the same thing by pre drilling with a 2 or 3mm bit to give a centre hole on both sides, then use this to locate the forstner from either side. I find it easier and more reliable than drilling with the forstner just far enough for the point to show, but not so far as to 'burst through' with the 'wings'. The smaller twist drill needs to be turning fast, and the wider forstner needs to turn slower.

good tip. cheers

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Can you actually buy an 8mm forstner bit? I've never seen one that small.

 

[lanemaux]

Not sure about your side of the pond amigo , but quarter inchers are common in "sets" of forstners here in Canuckia.

 

[marcros]

I have a quarter in my screwfix set

 

[jaywhoopee]

Can you actually buy an 8mm forstner bit? I've never seen one that small.

I couldn't see any when I did a quick scan of Axminster's forstner bits page, but there's an 8mm plug cutter and matching forstner bit in their 8-15mm plug cutting set, which is currently on special offer.

Hope this helps

John

 

[flh801978]

The answer to clean exit holes is a sacrificial piece under the work with the work securely held down
new area on the sacrificial piece for each hole

Ian