On Nov 7, 4:51 pm, monkers wrote:
I have a friend who brought a project by the other day. He has a bunch
( 60 + - ) 1"x1"x8" hardwood blocks that need to have a 3/16" hole
drilled through the center (long ways) . Any ideas on the best,
fastest way to do this? I was thinking of putting them in the 4 jaw &
drill with a normal length drill, then switch to a 12" bit, but I only
have about 3" of travel on the tailstock ram. So, I thought I could
make some makeshift drill bit holder and mount in place of the tool
post and use the carrige to drill the hole. Any ideas would be
helpful, thanks,
Craig

That's a really skinny hole for the length, even drilling from each
end you're going to have a LOT of wander. Best bet is to split the
blocks, rout the groove in each half and glue back together. Today's
glues give a bond stronger than the wood itself. Would be a WHOLE lot
faster than pecking away with a bendy twist drill. If you only need
some kind of clearance for a rod or tube, kerf the split chunks
lengthwise with a circular saw, would be faster than a router.

For larger diameter holes, you can make up a center spud for the drill
press, the spud goes in a hole exactly on the quill axis. The center
is marked and punched on each end of the block, then one end is held
on the spud while drilling commences at the center mark on the other
end. Half-way through, you flip the block and drill back the other
direction. If you use something like a Forstner bit, the holes should
meet. Works for through-holes in gun buttstocks anyway.

Stan