AAvK wrote:
I am going to drill bench bolt holes into the stretchers and side braces
using a hand brace hopefully through a self centering doweling jig,
maybe 8" total depth to meet the nut holes, for the stretchers and shorter
for the side braces. Straight through the tenons but that length must
include to the outside of the leg, thickness from a "blind mortise".

I noticed, because of the single wide flute of the bit (old Greenlee), it
wobbles widely in the SCDJ, so I don't think it would work to keep it
straight.

Was there ever a DJ made for these types of bits? Any specific maker and
model#?

Or should I buy a long brad point bit and use my skildrill?

--
Alex - newbie_neander in woodworking
cravdraa_at-yahoo_dot-com




you can drill a nice clean straight hole with just a bit and brace. the
dowell jig will just get in the way.

first, make sure the bit is in good shape. get it clean and sharp, and
make sure it is straight.
start a hole with it in a chunk of scrap wood. when the spur just
completes scoring the circle, stop and carefully measure that circle.
if it's undersize from wear on the outside of the spur you'll have a
hard time controlling the bit.


now carefully lay out your hole, both the entrance and exit of it. draw
lines on the workpiece thet intersect at the center of the hole. make a
line parallel to the edge of the bench and one perpendicular to it.

now get a buddy with good eyes and steady nerves. as you drill, have
your helper sight the bit against the lines. if you have a surface you
can set a framing square to to compare that against the bit, all the
better. go slow, checking frequently, especially at first. once the bit
is buried an inch or two into the wood you won't be able to steer it
much, so get it straight to start with. make a few practise holes to
get your signals straight.