JAB1
Member
For drilling holes in pen blanks or other projects larger than 1 inch using a drill press, do you use a forstner bit, spade bit or regular bit?.....my drills are all brad point, up to 1 inch.....which method is better?
Drilling holes in blanks
- Thread starter JAB1
- Start date
Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
leehljp
Member Liaison
I am not sure precisely what you mean but I will take a stab it it. 
I usually use a forstner bit for 1 in or more. And if it is a long piece like duck call or so, I drill in on the lathe. For plywood - I use a corded drill. For small pieces of ply or boards that will fit on a DP table - I use the DP.
The above scenario is when I want clean smooth cuts and sides.
IF smoothness and accuracy is not an issue, I use either spade bits or spiral bits.
If you mean 1 inch pen blanks for large pens, I use regular bits, but often do that on the lathe.
I usually use a forstner bit for 1 in or more. And if it is a long piece like duck call or so, I drill in on the lathe. For plywood - I use a corded drill. For small pieces of ply or boards that will fit on a DP table - I use the DP.The above scenario is when I want clean smooth cuts and sides.
IF smoothness and accuracy is not an issue, I use either spade bits or spiral bits.
If you mean 1 inch pen blanks for large pens, I use regular bits, but often do that on the lathe.
Last edited:
rherrell
Member
If you use a Forstner bit make sure to reduce your drill speed.
Jim Smith
Member
I also use Forstner bits for any holes larger than 7/8inch with reduced speed on my drillpress.
Jim Smith
Jim Smith
Wildman
Member
10 mm is largest bit I have ever used for a pen blank. Prefer to drill pen blanks at the drill press.
I make wood tulips, drill ¾" forstner bit & 3/16" or ¼" brad point bit holes at the drill press. Make some cuts at the bandsaw, before mounting on lathe to turn. Use a 1", 1 ¼" spade bit to drill hole in vase on the lathe. Now have a 3" drill bit extension for forstner bits will use them.
Think your project should dictate what drill bit to use.
I make wood tulips, drill ¾" forstner bit & 3/16" or ¼" brad point bit holes at the drill press. Make some cuts at the bandsaw, before mounting on lathe to turn. Use a 1", 1 ¼" spade bit to drill hole in vase on the lathe. Now have a 3" drill bit extension for forstner bits will use them.
Think your project should dictate what drill bit to use.