7/8 Forstner, in drill press at lowest speed (350 RPM). Carbon steel. Bit sharp (how do I know? Worked it over with a fine grit diamond file las time I used it. This time I managed to slice myself taking it out of the box--it didn't hurt until I saw the blood).By the time it's maybe a quarter inch into the ash, much smoke. Tried a piece of poplar and a piece of Douglas Fir, no smoke. Shavings coming out are fine, continuous, hole is clean other than looking burned. Continue on--cut a quarter inch, pull the bit out, repeat. By the time I'm 3 inches in the bit is hot enough to burn me, overall yellow (not just the edge, all the way up to the shank--not yellow-hot but the straw-yellow discoloration you get when drawing the temper).Does the same thing on the lathe at lowest RPM (500).Drilled a dozen pieces 3 inches deep, drill continues to cut fine, so am assuming that yellow is something coming out of the Ash and not indicative of the bit losing temper.Now, obvious thing to do is get a carbide bit for this job (it's going to be continuing I hope). But was wondering if anybody had any other sage advice.

"J. Clarke" wroteCould be you got it too hot before you sharpened it, and it lost its temper.Though I would remind you that the larger the bit, the slower the speed is required. 250 RPM might be slow enough to do the job.

Perhaps on hard and resin wood (maple is sugar) use the peck modeAnd let the cutting flange cool.MartinMartin H. Eastburn@ home at Lions' Lair with our computer lionslair at consolidated dot net"Our Republic and the Press will Rise or Fall Together": Joseph PulitzerTSRA: Endowed; NRA LOH & Patron Member, Golden Eagle, Patriot's Medal.NRA Sec

Sure, here's a couple: (pdf warning) (chart inright sidebar about 1/2 way down the page)

Drilling Ash, much smoke, sage advice anyone?

Sep 04, 2010 27 Replies

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Martin H. Eastburn 15 years ago

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Larry W 15 years ago

Sure, here's a couple:

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(pdf warning)

formatting link

(chart in right sidebar about 1/2 way down the page)

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mac davis 15 years ago

Yep.. that was going to be my recommendation.. For production work, carbide is the way to go..

mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

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mac davis 15 years ago

That still doesn't explain why it only burns the ash, not other woods that he's drilled..

mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

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J. Clarke 15 years ago

And it says 500 RPM for hardwood.

That article also discusses carbide and high speed steel bits and is not at all clear whether that chart is safe speeds for carbon steel bits or best cutting speeds for carbide or what.

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dpb 15 years ago

...

Nor that OP said it doesn't have teeth...

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clare 15 years ago

What an Ash hole!!! Sorry - couldn't resist.

Seriously - I'd try a carbide bit

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clare 15 years ago

It might be very sharp, but not a steep enough angle - or two wide a cutting area.

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