I had a couple questioned messaged me from a member asking about drilling the hole and cutting the kerf. Thought I'd share them here in case anybody else has questions about these aspects...
1. Drilling. I had to buy a longer 1/4" bit and suspect you'll have to as well. My hardware store had one
I have a floor drill press so I have the capacity there. I have a pen blank drilling vise that I use to hold the board to drill.
If I didn't have the big drill press, I'd need to pursue another option. Do you have a doweling jig? That would be a good way to drill a hole or start it anyway. You can easily finish the hole with hand drill after its well started.
The other option that comes to mind is to
Make your own jig. Drill a hole in a block of wood a couple inches thick on the drill press. Screw to the side of a linger strip of plywood and clamp the jig into the board blank and use a hand drill.
Or, this is the perfect excuse to buy a big drill press.
2. Kerf in cutting board. I use a crosscut sled on the table saw. Set a stop block so the blade goes in the right place. I use a thin strip at one edge of the board to raise it up so the groove is deeper on the side with the hole. Gradually raise the blade until you're where you need to be. Make sure the groove is deeper than the hole on that side or the wire won't fit under the arm during assembly.
