Anybody have a "best practices" recommendation? Spade bit? Forstner? (I was looking at auger bits, but then I read the reviews which basically said stand back and prepare for a wild ride if you put them on a drill press and try to drill through hardwood with them.) I'm making the faces for a bench vise.

Either will work, spade is faster, Forstener smoother. You could also use a router. No, you don't need a 1" bit...drill - for example - a 3/4" hole then use a 1/2" router bit using the shank to guide on the hole edges. Bit too short? Do one side, flip and repeat from other side. The ride isn't very wild, just short...an auger bit will pull out the chuck.

Best way to drill a 1" hole through 2" thick maple?

Sep 02, 2014 62 Replies

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clare 11 years ago

A hand powered post drill would be better than a brace and bit. Easier to keep thiings square.

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John Grossbohlin 11 years ago

You forgot to mention it also has flesh sensing technology... ;~)

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John McCoy 11 years ago

xxxx wrote in news:XnsA3A3D0642AE94dontenenthinkaboutit@69.16.179.23:

Hmm, I'm not sure how well a forstner bit would work in a brace. Might have to try it some time. I kinda suspect you'd need a bit with a lead screw to use in a brace.

Anyway, the trick with using a block of scrap for a guide works with a brace, too.

John

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