On 12/17/2004 6:50 PM MG wrote:

Could use a router with a 1"/4 or 1"/2 bit, whatever your router collet is,
and plunge placing the router face against the wall. Once you got a pilot
hole you have a chance. Whatever!
MG


Okay, now back to this excellent suggestion which I initially
misunderstood.

To recap: I'll be mounting two 14mm barrel hinges into the edge of 3/4''
MDF. The body of the barrel hinge measures 0.558''. The mfgr specifies
14mm holes (0.5512) so this is a press-fit. A 35/64'' holes will be too
tight, and the mfgr does not recommend oversized holes, so 9/16'' will
be too loose, so 14mm it is. The hole is to be 15.5mm (.61'') deep.

I did a couple trial plunges with a 1/4'' straight router bit to get a
pilot hole then followed that my largest twist-drill bit (1/2'') and it
tore the sidewall, so a twist-drill bit is not the way to go. I have a
14mm brad-point bit coming from Lee Valley, but I reckon it will tear
out the thin side wall, also.

I don't have a 14mm straight router bit, but a test-drive using a 3/4''
diameter bit real close to the edge did not result in sidewall tear-out.

I reckon I could do the whole job with a single plunge if I had a 14mm
diameter straight router bit w/ 1/4'' shaft. Rockler doesn't seem to
have this listed. Does such an animal exist?

--
Mike "Rocket J Squirrel" Elliott
71 Type 2: the Wonderbus
84 Westphalia: "Mellow Yellow (The Electrical Banana)"
KG6RCR
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Today's Deep Thought:

Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves for they shall
never cease to be amused.
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