drill bits - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

Ramjet · 05-16-2008, 02:46 AM

Hi . We have explored blades and the methods of using . How about drill bits ? I seem to be going through number drills at a great rate . I have been putting patterns on 3/4" pine boards . The ones being sold at home depot and other large building retail stores. Today , I placed a #63 in the drill press chuck and within a nano second it snapped , although it was just a little longer than the thickness of the board . I blame it on the growth ring . The drill veers off on an angle . Sooo, I'm wondering if there are stronger drill bits available ? Has anyone else run into this problem and found a solution ?
I also notice when cutting through growth rings that the blade will jump just when I think the cut is finished , ruining an almost complete project .
Cheers all and have a wonderfull weekend . Roger

lucky788scroller · 05-16-2008, 04:33 AM

run your drill as fast as possible, drill in steps, backing out a couple times to clear wood shavings, use a gentle touch, and dont firmly hold your wood. When I drill, I hold the wood down with just enough force that it doesnt lift from the table.While the bit is going in, i let the wood 'float' on the table so that teensy bit isnt flexing in the wood. pine is a sappy wood with lots of soft and hard variations in the grain, both making it more touchy than wood like walnut or cherry.Your solution is practice. Dale

greatdane2 · 05-16-2008, 04:35 AM

I find that slowing the bit speed and also the feed helps. I also would be interested in better quality bits.

Rolf · 05-16-2008, 05:48 PM

High speed and nibbling at it, when the drill comes up clear the flutes. the sap loads up the flutes and it will snap the drill.
Buy good quality drill bits, High speed steel from MSC or Mc Master Carr (cheaper)

Mike Crosa · 05-16-2008, 06:45 PM

Rolf do you have a web site address for MSC or McMaster Carr? Thanks

Ramjet · 05-16-2008, 07:17 PM

Rolf . Thanks I'll try the nibbling technique .Roger

scrolldog · 05-17-2008, 12:18 AM

Hi all,Another thing you have to remember is that the bit is generating a lot of heat when going thru the wood which eventually makes them more brittle after lots of use.
The smaller the bit and thicker the wood the more heat.

SNAPPER · 05-18-2008, 01:23 AM

Nothing more to add here, all of the points have been covered.
Dean

Rolf · 05-19-2008, 08:16 PM

Hi Mike,

MSC Industrial Supply Co. Home Page

McMaster-Carr

Mike Crosa · 05-20-2008, 01:39 AM

Thanks Rolf.

05-16-2008, 02:46 AM	#1
Ramjet Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Saltspring Island B.C. Canada Posts: 1,096	drill bits Hi . We have explored blades and the methods of using . How about drill bits ? I seem to be going through number drills at a great rate . I have been putting patterns on 3/4" pine boards . The ones being sold at home depot and other large building retail stores. Today , I placed a #63 in the drill press chuck and within a nano second it snapped , although it was just a little longer than the thickness of the board . I blame it on the growth ring . The drill veers off on an angle . Sooo, I'm wondering if there are stronger drill bits available ? Has anyone else run into this problem and found a solution ? I also notice when cutting through growth rings that the blade will jump just when I think the cut is finished , ruining an almost complete project . Cheers all and have a wonderfull weekend . Roger

05-16-2008, 04:35 AM	#3
greatdane2 Dumb Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Vancouver Island, BC. Canada Posts: 2,225	I find that slowing the bit speed and also the feed helps. I also would be interested in better quality bits. __________________ Alan and Rafi. In our house, if you have to bend over to pet a dog it ain't a real dog! UNLESS its a puppy. And the puppy is getting huge. 8 months old and 32" at the shoulders.

05-16-2008, 05:48 PM	#4
Rolf Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bellport, LI New York Posts: 2,808	High speed and nibbling at it, when the drill comes up clear the flutes. the sap loads up the flutes and it will snap the drill. Buy good quality drill bits, High speed steel from MSC or Mc Master Carr (cheaper) __________________ Rolf RBI G4 Hawk, Delta SS350 Philosophy "I don't know that I can't, therefore I can"

05-16-2008, 06:45 PM	#5
Mike Crosa Land Locked Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Ocala, FL Posts: 1,694	Rolf do you have a web site address for MSC or McMaster Carr? Thanks __________________ Mike C. Hawk G4

05-17-2008, 12:18 AM	#7
scrolldog A bad day scrollin'..... Join Date: May 2005 Location: Waterloo,Ia Posts: 342	Hi all,Another thing you have to remember is that the bit is generating a lot of heat when going thru the wood which eventually makes them more brittle after lots of use. The smaller the bit and thicker the wood the more heat. __________________ Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most.Cliff

05-16-2008, 04:33 AM	#2
lucky788scroller Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: wisconsin Posts: 6,260	run your drill as fast as possible, drill in steps, backing out a couple times to clear wood shavings, use a gentle touch, and dont firmly hold your wood. When I drill, I hold the wood down with just enough force that it doesnt lift from the table.While the bit is going in, i let the wood 'float' on the table so that teensy bit isnt flexing in the wood. pine is a sappy wood with lots of soft and hard variations in the grain, both making it more touchy than wood like walnut or cherry.Your solution is practice. Dale

05-16-2008, 07:17 PM	#6
Ramjet Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Saltspring Island B.C. Canada Posts: 1,096	Rolf . Thanks I'll try the nibbling technique .Roger

05-18-2008, 01:23 AM	#8
SNAPPER Dino Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Fergus Falls,MN Posts: 821	Nothing more to add here, all of the points have been covered. Dean

05-19-2008, 08:16 PM	#9
Rolf Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bellport, LI New York Posts: 2,808	Hi Mike, MSC Industrial Supply Co. Home Page McMaster-Carr __________________ Rolf RBI G4 Hawk, Delta SS350 Philosophy "I don't know that I can't, therefore I can"

05-20-2008, 01:39 AM	#10
Mike Crosa Land Locked Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Ocala, FL Posts: 1,694	Thanks Rolf. __________________ Mike C. Hawk G4

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