Drilling a hole in plywood

get a piece of scrap wood behind it if you can and hold if firmly against it. You then drill through the ply and into the scrap with no ripping

Paul

He could also use an auger (from each side) but the above may be easier... maybe drill a pilot hole and use a rose bit on each side, or other imaginitive methods.

Don't use flat drill bits or hss drill bits.

These are better for reducing break through damage in wood.

Paul.

I have some like these but they are very long drills so I will invest in a shorter one. At the end of the day the reverse side is hidden, so will the front side be when the job is finished come to that, it is just frustrating not to be able to bet a clean hole and believe me I am being as gentle as I can.

Kevin

It's not being gentle, it's putting a piece of sgrap wood on the back of where you are drilling from and using sharp bits.

I seem to recall that such a scrap of wood has a curious name: "spelch block". Always willing to be corrected...

Mungo

It is actually difficult getting to the reverse to hold some wood and drill at the same time but I will check the sharpness of the drills.

Kevin

One of these should be better than a regular twist bit

There are proper wood twist drills, with a central spike and a small cutter on the outer edge, which cuts the circle before you start to drill it. I always use those for holes up to 10mm.

Colin Bignell

If you want a 100% perfect no splinter hole use a plunge router.

That sounds like this

Kevin

Getting the same advice from two different people on a newsgroup is usually a sign that they are on the right track.

Colin Bignell