Replies

1. 
   user-64052 | Aug 18, 2011 11:54am | #1

   one could

   bore it out on the lathe

   ron

2. 
   Quickstep | Aug 18, 2011 12:08pm | #2

   I was thinking one of those giant bits that plumbers use

    http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&q=milwaukee+selfeed+3%22+bit&gs_upl=16152l18077l2l18375l8l8l0l0l0l2l201l1136l1.6.1l8l0&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&biw=1259&bih=598&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=819779163848435244&sa=X&ei=oDhNTveoC8KBgAe50pnvBg&ved=0CDYQ8gIwAg

3. 
   Scavenger | Aug 18, 2011 04:59pm | #3

   The log would have been about 10" long.  The hole was bored through the complete 10" and then a plug was put in the bottom end.  It was definitely bored (not sawn and re-assembled).  Amazon has forstner bits up to 3.25".  The log could certainly be a larger diameter, but I was more trying to understand the process versus picking a log and hole diameter.  Thanks for all the replies. :-)

1. 
   CedarGroves | Aug 18, 2011 06:44pm | #5

   This reminds me of a Swedish Torch - do a google images search if you need clarification. Some are split, others are bored through the center - the people I have seen use a large spoon bit and a brace with extentions to bore down the center, with the grain, and add smaller secondary holes (perpendicular to the main) at the base to let it breathe. That said, good luck finding a ~3" wide spoon bit. A forstner bit that size is going to require some SERIOUS torque and a lot of downward force to power through that log, even if it is green.

4. 
   BruceS | Aug 18, 2011 06:36pm | #4

   Hole

   A forstner bit going into end grain is going to be a very long slow process.    I prefer the bandsaw method, 3-4 tpi x1/4" hook or skip.

1. 
   habilis | Dec 12, 2011 02:47pm | #7

   Not as bad as I thought

   Recently bored 4 10 inch deep holes with a 2-1/8 inch forstner bit. Faster than I expected.

5. 
   derek_eder | Aug 21, 2011 02:54pm | #6

   I just saw a similar design in a Swedish birdhouse book - but they "cheated" and sawed 4 slabs thick slabs at 90 degree angles with bark leaving and then pinned these back together with corregated fasteners leaving a square interior.  You know, just like carving a pineapple!