I need to drill 7/32" holes within an eight inch of each other. With my
normal bits Iget splintering in between the holes. A forstner bit would
prevent this but my smallst is 1/4". Does anyone know if 7/32" forstner bits
are available? A google search didn't show any results

Thanks

Ken

Ken Johnsen wrote:
I need to drill 7/32" holes within an eight inch of each other. With my
normal bits Iget splintering in between the holes. A forstner bit would
prevent this but my smallst is 1/4". Does anyone know if 7/32"
forstner bits
are available? A google search didn't show any results

Have you looked at and/or tested a brad point drill?

What kind of wood is splintering?

Lew



Lew

Ken Johnsen wrote:
I need to drill 7/32" holes within an eight inch of each other. With my
normal bits Iget splintering in between the holes. A forstner bit would
prevent this but my smallst is 1/4". Does anyone know if 7/32" forstner bits
are available? A google search didn't show any results

Where is the splintering? If it's tearing out on exit, well, a Forstner
bit will do that, too. You have to back it with a sacrificial block or
use a brad point bit and drill just until the point penetrates the
other side, then turn the work over and finish the hole from there. The
backer block is easier.

"Lew Hodgett" wrote in message
nk.net...
Ken Johnsen wrote:
I need to drill 7/32" holes within an eight inch of each other. With my
normal bits Iget splintering in between the holes. A forstner bit would
prevent this but my smallst is 1/4". Does anyone know if 7/32"
forstner bits
are available? A google search didn't show any results

Have you looked at and/or tested a brad point drill?

What kind of wood is splintering?


I am using a brad point. I've been working with cherry.

Ken

"boorite" wrote in message
ups.com...

Ken Johnsen wrote:
I need to drill 7/32" holes within an eight inch of each other. With my
normal bits Iget splintering in between the holes. A forstner bit would
prevent this but my smallst is 1/4". Does anyone know if 7/32" forstner
bits
are available? A google search didn't show any results

Where is the splintering? If it's tearing out on exit, well, a Forstner
bit will do that, too. You have to back it with a sacrificial block or
use a brad point bit and drill just until the point penetrates the
other side, then turn the work over and finish the hole from there. The
backer block is easier.

I'm not drilling through the wood. I have 3/32 to 1/8" between holes. It's
the top of the wood between the holes that is chipping and splintering

Ken

Ken Johnsen wrote:
I'm not drilling through the wood. I have 3/32 to 1/8" between holes. It's
the top of the wood between the holes that is chipping and splintering

Ah, OK. Having never had that problem or drilled a series of holes so
close together, I'll have to defer to someone else.

Ken Johnsen wrote:

I am using a brad point. I've been working with cherry.

Couple of thoughts.

Can you turn the piece over and drill adjacent holes from alternate
sides using a backer block?

Make sure drill is VERY sharp so it won't tear.

I'm out of ideas.

Lew

"Ken Johnsen" wrote in message
...
I need to drill 7/32" holes within an eight inch of each other. With my
normal bits Iget splintering in between the holes. A forstner bit would
prevent this but my smallst is 1/4". Does anyone know if 7/32" forstner
bits
are available? A google search didn't show any results

Thanks

Ken

How about making a plastic template as you might use for adjustable shelves,
but with the dimensions you need. You could then use a plunge router with a
7/32" bit to the drill the actual holes in the cherry. These bits are
available from several sources according to Google and are in the $ 15.00
range. The advantage to the template would include zero clearance for the
holes, reducing splintering.

Tin Woodsmn

I don't know of a forstner bit that size.

How about clamping a sacrificial board on top and drilling thru both
at the same time? This way the sacrificial board gets the tear out as
it protects your project board.

Art

"Ken Johnsen" wrote in message ...


I'm not drilling through the wood. I have 3/32 to 1/8" between holes. It's
the top of the wood between the holes that is chipping and splintering

Ken

"Ken Johnsen" wrote in message
...
I need to drill 7/32" holes within an eight inch of each other. With my
normal bits Iget splintering in between the holes. A forstner bit would
prevent this but my smallst is 1/4". Does anyone know if 7/32" forstner
bits
are available? A google search didn't show any results

Thanks

Ken



Ken a couple of suggestions:

1. If the piece your drilling the holes in is not part of something already
and you're milling your lumber - leave it a tad thick, drill the holes, then
plane to desired thickness.

2. Someone suggested tape and that may work but for holes that close
together, I kinda doubt it will be 100%. What I have done is to apply some
finish to the stock (shellac, poly, whatever) to help hold the fibers and
then use a template (3/4" thick board, with hole/s in it clamped tightly to
work piece).

3. Failing the above - just because the situation won't allow it, try
dampening the wood with a damp sponge of water, or you could use mineral
spirits too. This works when planing wood to reduce tearout due to grain
changes and may work on this.

Bob S.

Ken Johnsen wrote:
I need to drill 7/32" holes within an eight inch of each other. With my
normal bits Iget splintering in between the holes. A forstner bit would
prevent this but my smallst is 1/4". Does anyone know if 7/32" forstner bits
are available? A google search didn't show any results
....

I see elsewhere you're using a brad point bit.
1. If it's a cheapie from the local Best Buy, get a good one to start
with. (Amana's Timberline is one I've been pleased with).
2. Failing 1), sharpen the one you have.
3. _Then_ the tape trick may help a little but should be unneeded.

Regarding the other question, I think I have seen some Forstner's in
32nds, but don't have a direct source at hand.

Another possiblility would be to use a plunge router and a 2-flute
(again, good quality) router bit.

Ken Johnsen wrote:
I need to drill 7/32" holes within an eight inch of each other. With my
normal bits Iget splintering in between the holes. A forstner bit would
prevent this but my smallst is 1/4". Does anyone know if 7/32" forstner bits
are available? A google search didn't show any results

Thanks

Ken



spin the bit you have faster, feed slower and back out often to clear
chips. and do all of this on the drill press with the wood clamped
down. and make sure the bit is sharp.

In article ,
Ken Johnsen wrote:
I need to drill 7/32" holes within an eight inch of each other. With my
normal bits Iget splintering in between the holes. A forstner bit would
prevent this but my smallst is 1/4". Does anyone know if 7/32" forstner bits
are available? A google search didn't show any results

Thanks

Ken



I don't know about the 7/32" forstners, but a good quality, _sharp_
brad point whoud do what you want.


--

Larry Wasserman Baltimore, Maryland

some real good advice here. Having had the same type problem with "pine"
(white wood from local lumber yard) I have found that the best way to go is
to cut the item over size an then mill to size after the holes are cut.
drill holes at high speed with slow feed to insure as little tear out as
possible. I resharpen my twist bits to a lower angle and that seems to help
also. Brad point bits work well to keep the hole from wandering but mine
seem to dull a lot faster then twist bits and I have more trouble sharpening
them.
"Ken Johnsen" wrote in message
...
I need to drill 7/32" holes within an eight inch of each other. With my
normal bits Iget splintering in between the holes. A forstner bit would
prevent this but my smallst is 1/4". Does anyone know if 7/32" forstner
bits
are available? A google search didn't show any results

Thanks

Ken

Ken Johnsen wrote:
I need to drill 7/32" holes within an eight inch of each other. With my
normal bits Iget splintering in between the holes.

Ken

Get the best bit you can to drill the holes. Do some trial holes in
scrap.

Use a sacfifical board as another suggested.

Drill the first hole and fill it with tight fitting dowel. Drill the
second hole. Then punch out the dowel in the first hole.

Bob AZ

"Ken Johnsen" wrote in message
...
I need to drill 7/32" holes within an eight inch of each other. With my
normal bits Iget splintering in between the holes. A forstner bit would
prevent this but my smallst is 1/4". Does anyone know if 7/32" forstner
bits
are available? A google search didn't show any results

Thanks

Thanks for all the suggestions, a lot I never thought of. I'll give each a
try to see what works best for me

Ken

On Tue, 05 Sep 2006 22:25:51 GMT, "Ken Johnsen"
wrote:

I need to drill 7/32" holes within an eight inch of each other. With my
normal bits Iget splintering in between the holes. A forstner bit would
prevent this but my smallst is 1/4". Does anyone know if 7/32" forstner bits
are available? A google search didn't show any results

Thanks

Ken

If you have a plunge router, use a 7/32 staight bit. Set up a table
using a guide board for one axis and stops for the graduations between
holes. The router will cut them clean as a whistle. And, if you set-up
as above it will be quicker than drilling.

"Larry Kraus" wrote in message
Let us know what works...

And what doesn't work...

"Upscale" wrote in message
...
"Larry Kraus" wrote in message
Let us know what works...

And what doesn't work...

First try seemd to solve the problem. A new sharp brad point bit and
increasing the speed of the drill press, eliminated the chip out between the
holes

You can also try this. Get a 7/32" piece of steel tubing and sharpen the
inside edge. (You are making a paper drill.) Chuck this up and slice
through the top layers of the wood, then change to your brad point and drill
the hole.

The paper drill will burnish the wood and this should prevent the chipping.


--

Roger Shoaf

About the time I had mastered getting the toothpaste back in the tube, then
they come up with this striped stuff.
"Ken Johnsen" wrote in message
...

"Ken Johnsen" wrote in message
...
I need to drill 7/32" holes within an eight inch of each other. With my
normal bits Iget splintering in between the holes. A forstner bit would
prevent this but my smallst is 1/4". Does anyone know if 7/32" forstner
bits
are available? A google search didn't show any results

Thanks

Thanks for all the suggestions, a lot I never thought of. I'll give each a
try to see what works best for me

Ken

Ken Johnsen wrote:
: I need to drill 7/32" holes within an eight inch of each other. With my
: normal bits Iget splintering in between the holes. A forstner bit would
: prevent this but my smallst is 1/4". Does anyone know if 7/32" forstner bits
: are available? A google search didn't show any results



The cleanest drilling bits I've ever used are brad point bits with
spurs on the outside. One excellent brand is Fisch's Vortex
series, which at least used to be sold at Woodcraft. Lee Valley
also sells an excelent line.

-- Andy Barss