Drill bits

Drill Bits in Woodworking

While I primarily utilize "wood" bits for my woodworking projects, my toolkit extends beyond just that. As I engage in various tasks such as fixturing, modification, and tool-making, I frequently find myself restoring a Triumph Stag and performing maintenance around my house. I often resort to affordable twist drills for basic screw holes and, when the need arises for pocket holes, I sometimes use their stepped twist drills, though they're not the best. It's crucial for woodworkers to also possess metalworking skills, as maintaining and crafting our tools is part of the trade.

Interestingly, twist drills can be ground to various angles—some for shallow cuts, others steep, catering to different materials like wood, metal, and plastics. The choice between split and chisel points matters too. From my understanding, chisel points are mainly effective for very small drill sizes and tend to underperform in larger varieties. For example, Bob demonstrates the advantage of grinding twist drill tips to steeper angles while adding a spur for enhanced cutting efficiency.

It’s noteworthy that most wood stepped/countersink drills utilize a twist drill as their core. In general, dulling a wood bit takes quite a bit of effort, whereas materials like cast iron dull the edge more rapidly. My collection includes cobalt drills specifically designed for hot rolled, cold rolled, and even stainless materials. Beyond that, I have carbide and diamond drills for tile projects. However, I found the "Diablo" brand drill bit disappointing; it barely managed five holes in tough tile before giving out, which makes the claim of lasting "10 times longer" seem exaggerated.

On a side note, investing in a Darex sharpening system may cost over a grand, which could procure a multitude of quality bits. Additionally, I keep a set of 1/4-inch snap-in drills for quick, everyday jobs. They're inexpensive, but many are not perfectly concentric with the cast base, leading to wobble during use. In conclusion, investing in smooth, machined shanks is preferable for accuracy. The hand chucks in many portable tools struggle to provide a solid grip, making flat-sided shanks a more reliable choice. I’ve experienced my share of bits spinning in drills, even while merely working on wood. I yearn for keyed chucks again! After trying a mid-priced keyless chuck on my drill press, I reverted back to a mid-priced keyed model. Maybe an expensive keyless would suffice, but that’s out of my budget.

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Core Drilling Expertise

Core drilling has proven to be a more efficient alternative compared to traditional spinning and pulling methods. My experience with a diamond core bit was focused on Mammut ring bolts or self-drives, which typically necessitate a 1/2" hole. The process, especially when incorporating a 3/4" OD, 5/8" ID stainless spacer for secure placement, added complexity. There was some doubt about finding a suitable bit for 3/8" bolts given the thin wall requirement and length, but I recently came across a solution.

In my search, I reached out to various manufacturers, ultimately discovering K M Glass Tools Store. They offer a $16 water adapter, and their bits have a thin wall with an impressive cut length of about 3.25". Priced at approximately $14 each, their claim of being able to drill thousands of holes is encouraging. I’ve tested several sizes with results that inspire confidence. For instance, I can successfully core drill around a wedge bolt in granite in about 3 minutes, using only 1 cup of water via an automotive vacuum tube.

I've ordered three sizes: 14mm, 13mm, and 12mm OD. The 14mm effectively removes sufficient material but necessitates glue-in replacements due to the size of the hole. The 13mm does not remove any considerable metal from a 3/8" wedge bolt, but it produces a precise round and smooth hole—ideal for testing, but further evaluations are on the agenda. The 12mm bit is proving to be the most promising as it minimally removes metal and allows for perfect replacement holes post-bore out.

For those interested in the intricacies of drilling and core removal, the Morse taper provides the longest cutting length. However, the drawback is the difficulty in removing the bit once the process is complete; utilizing a vise and hammer is often necessary. Crafting custom tools, such as a coupling nut designed to fit snugly inside the drilled hole, could facilitate easier extraction of stubborn bolts.

Through this journey, I’ve discovered that adapting traditional equipment for new purposes can lead to successful outcomes, as evidenced by my recent projects. For more information, don’t hesitate to reach out to explore tools like diamond saw blade for stone cutting manufacturers and others that suit your specific tasks.

Let’s keep innovating and sharing knowledge among those in our field.