I have a project that required 3/8″ holes for screws, with plugs to hide the screws. Project was made with white oak and I drilled the holes with a Forstner bit. On all my holes there was tear out at the surface creating ragged edges around the hole when plugged. Not a big amount, but more than I wanted.
What tactics do people use to get good, clean holes in this situation? Any advice of more experienced woodworkers would be appreciated.
Replies
Sharp bit and a drill press. You can press a thin something down on the top surface to help also. I use 1/4" plywood.
You're dealing with tearout. You could let the drill stop with the bit still in the hole, turn the bit in the opposite direction and pull the bit out.
MJ's idea is good, probably better.
Mikaol
For holes up to 1/2" in tear out prone material or through veneers I use lipped bits. The geometry on these bits has the outer lips purposely razor cut the circle before the center material starts getting hogged away.
A sharp Forstner should do nearly as well. CLAMPING a sacrificial board to the material like MJ suggests and drilling through this into your material can help for sub-par bits as will a drill press versus hand drilling.
The cleanest surface I ever get while drilling are brad point bits from Lee Valley. They are really, really sharp. Yeah, I rolled my eyes a little at first -- a brad point is a brad point. But these are top quality US bits, and they sharpen them at Lee Valley. Sharpest, cleanest cutting bits anywhere.
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