"Jerry Maske" wrote in message
...
Hi folks,
I need to bore a 7/8" hole all the way through a 2" square piece of
wood, end to end. How is such a thing done? Not interested in spending
thousands of dollars on equipment but need to get it done.

Thanks,
Jerry

Jerry, the most accurate way to do this is to spin the piece of wood, and
then introduce the bit into the end of the spinning wood. The action of the
spinning wood tends to keep the bit centered.

Obviously, you would need to clamp/secure one end of the wood to the spindle
end of the lathe, and support the other end in a steady rest. Also, turn an
entry hole so it is centered. Then introduce the drill bit as straight as
you can manage.

Fostner bits, electricians' bits, etc. do not necessarily drill straight.
Crooked grain will cause them to run out. The straightest holes are drilled
with 'D' drills. This is a solid drill bit which has the same diameter as
the hole you want to drill. Drill rod works great. Along one side of the
drill rod grind a flat. This flat should be less than 50% of the diameter.
The most accurate drills are ground so that 75% of the circumference of the
drill is undisturbed. Usually this is accomplished by grinding a groove the
length of the drill. The leading end of the drill is then ground so that
the cutting edge is the edge of the groove. The opposite edge is releived
all the way around to the cutting edge.

I make my drill bits by mounting the blank in a recess in a 2x4, installing
a 1/8" thick grinding wheel (or thicker, depending on the drill desired) on
my table saw, then sliding the 2x4 against the rip fence with the right edge
of the grinding wheel centered on the drill. The cut is very light, but you
raise the wheel until you cut just to the very center of the drill. Then
grind the approporiate angles on the end.

Start a very short entry hole with a skew or other tool. Lubricate the
drill bit with wax and withdraw many times to clean the shavings from the
groove.

This is a slow way to drill a hole, but it is very accurate.

Incidentally, the end of the drill can be square, or pointed slightly--it
makes no difference.

Regards,

James R. Johnson