Gunsmithing/wood question...

11echo

I have just picked up a piece of fancy grade English walnut. This is for a 2 piece stock (cadet martini). My problem is this, I have to drill a 5/16" dia. hole STRAIGHT thru this piece. I've had problems in the pass with the drill bit wandering off to the side. Is there any "tricks" to get this hole straight? THX! ...Mark

"FEAR the Goverment, that fears your ARMS"

seamus

I can offer a suggestion that has worked for me, although I'm neither an expert woodworker nor a gunsmith. Here it is: (1) mark the exact points (both of them) where the hole must pass through the stock, (2) then, starting at one point, drill ONLY half way through (slowly). (3) Do the same from the other point (drilling only half way through). Unless your drill allignment is way, way off, the two drill holes will meet in the middle of the material. (4) If the allignment is not right, you will then (after first drilling half way from both sides) need to push the drill bit nearly all of the way through to get a straight hole. (Do not drill all the way through, however, since you do not want to mar the exit hole.) If done slowly, you will have both ends of the hole exactly where they should be. A gunsmith may offer you better advice, or explain the process more clearly.

varmit hunter

The biggest mistakes when drilling any hole. Is to much pressure,And not backing the drill out often enough to keep the bit clean. Both will cause the bit to wonder off. Add this with seamus's advice and you will be O.K.

The most important things, Are not things.

budreaux39

Along with the other advice I would like to add, use a Bradpoint drill bit. This ( in case you don't know) is a wood bit only, and I use them with good results. Look in a woodworker supply book if you are unsure of the exact type bit this is. It is designed to keep straightER through the grain. Keep the chips cleaned out by pulling it out alot and again, not to much pressure.
Good luck,
Scott

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BT99

The easiest way I found to drill long thru-bolt holes was with a lathe. I used a metal lathe. Mark where you want to start and where you want it to come out. Put a drill bit in the headstock
and put the point of the bit against the starting place. Put a dead
denter in the tail stock and put the point of the center on the spot
where you want the bit to come out. I adapted a jig to put on a
milling attachment to support the stock but not really necessary.
Start drillling and feed the tail stock by hand. When you are about
90-95 percent through, remove everything and finish up by hand.
If the headstock and tail stock are in alignment, you can't go wrong.

varmit hunter

budreaux39,Very fine work sir.

The most important things, Are not things.

budreaux39

Thank you varmit hunter!
Scott

seamus

After thinking about my previous reply, I realized that I, and possibly others, might be assuming that you already know some of the basics that have gone unmentioned. I apoligize if the following is too elementary, but here are some other techniques to follow: after measuring or estimating the thickness of the material to be drilled (and dividing that length in half), measure and mark your drill bit with a piece of tape, so that you know when you have drilled only half way through. And of course, use a variable speed drill. This is particularly important when drilling through hardwoods, since the bit will grab and tend to pull itself all the way through the material if the drill speed is too fast. Use a punch to mark the points on each end of the material, then place the tip of the bit in the dent. This helps prevent the bit from walking across the material. With very hard material, you might want to first drill a pilot hole using a smaller bit size, as a smaller bit is easier to control. Then finish with the right size bit. Let us know how your project works out.

11echo

HEY THX guys for the ALL the advice!!! I have some experience with wood ...probably enough to be dangerous!*G* BUT I have another question... When I'm drilling this hunk of wood... shouldn't I be using a high RPM on the drill press? ...Mr. Seamus???
AND should I be using an auger type drill bit? I was looking in the hardware store and saw the Brad point drills bits, but ran across this auger type too... Opinions?


"FEAR the Goverment, that fears your ARMS"

seamus

Gosh, I didn't know you had a drill press. That's great. As you know, you have much more control using a press, so a higher speed might be okay. My inclination would be to still use a slower RPM for precise gun smithing/woodworking, however (but I defer that question to the real experts). Also, I have had good results with a high quality auger bit, the standard type with the spiral groves running up the shank. I would not use a simple spade bit for that type of work. As to the other bits, I'm not familiar with them, but it sound like you'll do fine with the knowledge you have.