I was asked by a customer for the tool that was specificly designed to widen a hole you already drilled. So what tool do you think he was looking for?
What tool do you think
- Thread starter Band Saw Box
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builtbybill
Member
A BFH!!
A stepped drill
Sorry all wrong but I did ask about a step bit...
bloodhound
Member
i dont know if you are talking wood or metal. but how about this.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct...aoAeHMPcQ1OgAWOqNMB9oT1w&ust=1441065650547136
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct...aoAeHMPcQ1OgAWOqNMB9oT1w&ust=1441065650547136
dogcatcher
Member
I would use a counterbore with a pilot bit.
A larger bit 
Chuck Key
Member
Broach
Marnat3
Member
A file?
low_48
Member
Boring bar?
Skie_M
Member
Was he looking for a hammer and a chisel?
How about a nail punch?
Oh, wait, maybe a post hole digger?
scroller99
Member
A parting tool that you could shave a little off the inside of the hole
TurtleTom
Member
I'm with Magpens. Although you didn't specify length of secondary "reamed" hole.
Charlie_W
Member
Dan, Is this a quiz or a Derek contest? Do we win something? :biggrin:
Sorry all wrong..He was looking for a spade bit. He told me that is was specifically designed for what he wanted to do. I tried to tell him it wouldn't work but he wouldn't listen. So I learned something new....the wrong use for spade bit.
Charlie_W
Member
Dan,
A spade bit works great to widen a hole
....if you glue a plug in it first!:biggrin:
TurtleTom
Member
A spade bit is designed to drill an original hole, using one to ream out an existing hole is going to throw some vises around. Better use a forstner, they will do it better than the spade bit if work is in vise. If on the lathe, I've never had the nerve to try a spade bit.
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tbroye
Member
Spade bit is scary, tried it once never again. I was lucky
Skie_M
Member
..... I'ld rather try the post hole digger over a spade bit ...
I tried to tell him but he thought he knew...
SteveJ
Member
Well... it depends on how big the starter hole is. If he had a small starter hole, the spade point would fit in it and the hole would guide the spade bit along the original hole. But going from a 1/2 inch hole to a 3/4 inch hole could be dicey.
KenV
Member
Spade bit does that -- only in very small sizes.
Once it has a set of "flats" it has moved to the "high excitement" and battered board situations.
You need not have to ask how I leaned that ----
Once it has a set of "flats" it has moved to the "high excitement" and battered board situations.
You need not have to ask how I leaned that ----
Jim Smith
Member
Did you ask him to video the process of widening a hole with a spade bit? It would be a great addition on YouTube of what not to do in the shop. It shouldn't take him more than 1-2 seconds to realize his mistake
Jim Smith
Jim Smith
Skie_M
Member
Did you ask him to video the process of widening a hole with a spade bit? It would be a great addition on YouTube of what not to do in the shop. It shouldn't take him more than 1-2 seconds to realize his mistake
Jim Smith
Oh boy ....
Darwin Awards here we come ...
tbroye
Member
A drill press and spade bit will work if you can clamp the wood down so it can't and start slow. Hand held drill you are in for a thrill even with wood clamped down.
Curly
Member
If you must use a spade bit, (a Forstner type would be my choice) drill through a block of wood clamped over the hole to be enlarged with a drill press. When the bit breaks through the block into the hole below it will be guided by the fresh hole. It should work with a hand drill (with a side handle) using care and strong steady hands.
KBs Pensnmore
Member
If a customer ever replies with a similar comment, just tell him that "you agree with him but we'd both be wrong"
My father once told me "never argue with a fool, people might not be able to tell the difference"
Kryn
Spade bit to widen the hole would work great, if you're going from a small hole to a big one, where the original hole acts as a guide for the spade tip...
Otherwise, it's madness!
Otherwise, it's madness!
Paul in OKC
Member
Never argue with an idiot. They'll just bring you down to their level and beat you with experience.
Charlie_W
Member
Dan,
I am surprised no one has mentioned spoon bits yet. With these, you can indeed enlarge an existing hole. They are made in different styles and are available for use in both a brace and bit or for machine use.
Lee Valley shows some which are concave while others are flat ground. Most of these have round points which leave a round bottom hole or a hole to match the shape ground on the bit.
Many times, these are used by pipe makers or chair makers.
Google spoon bits and you will see images of different types and also YouTube has some videos.
I am surprised no one has mentioned spoon bits yet. With these, you can indeed enlarge an existing hole. They are made in different styles and are available for use in both a brace and bit or for machine use.
Lee Valley shows some which are concave while others are flat ground. Most of these have round points which leave a round bottom hole or a hole to match the shape ground on the bit.
Many times, these are used by pipe makers or chair makers.
Google spoon bits and you will see images of different types and also YouTube has some videos.
dogcatcher
Member
Or make an spoon bit using a spade bit. It will follow pretty close to the previous drilled hole, close enough that any error wouldn't be detected by the eye.