Replies

1. 
   MHargrove | Apr 26, 2003 11:35pm | #1

   I recently installed the same vise, and so undertand the problem.  I clamped the two jaws together, then used my drill press to drill as deep as I could through both (which was part way into the rear jaw.  Then I unclamped the jaws and carefully clamped the rear jaw (with the partially drilled holes) to the drill press table (with piece of scrap MDF underneath), positioning it so that the forstner bit seated exactly in the partially drilled hole.  Then I simply finished drilling all the way through.   Worked out fine.

   -M.
2. 
   mitch | Apr 26, 2003 11:55pm | #2

   there's a few tricks to drilling a round, true hole with a speedbore or spade bit. 

   first off, you need to drill a pilot hole no bigger than the pilot spur on the spade bit- usually about 3/16" will do.  i'd recommend a long brad point for face grain, a long standard twist drill usually works fine into endgrain.  take all the usual steps to make this hole as straight and true as possible- if at all possible, use a drill press or at least one of those hand drill fixtures.

   now once you start drilling with the new, sharp, spade bit, DO NOT STOP.  continue drilling with constant pressure to keep the pilot spur of the bit well captured by the small hole it's following.  clear the chips with a shopvac as you go (which makes for a cool optical illusion as the hole keeps getting magically deeper with no visible chips).  if you must stop for whatever reason, turn off the drill before letting up.  spade bits wobble like a drunken sailor on a saturday night if they aren't stabilized at the point.  with holes that deep in ash, you might have to stop to sharpen part way through -if you smell smoke, that would be one indication ;-).

   other hints- try moving the bit around in the chuck until you find where it seats and runs with the least wobble.  i'd suggest chucking it down on the round shank, not up on the hex section, but your depth requirements will preclude that trick.  if the hole needs to be an accurate diameter, bore some test holes first- using the above tricks so you get an accurate test- and file the bit wings down to size, remembering to maintain the clearance angle on the sides.  they tend to run a little bigger than nominal dimension off the rack.

   try a couple practice holes in identical scrap material first-  good luck!

   m