I need some advice on end grain drilling.
I've fabricated some posts for a patio cover. They are octagonal,
4-inches across the flats. Double helix spirals, ½-inch diameter, ¼-inch deep are cut along the length of the posts at a 3-foot pitch. The wood is #1 and #2 DF cut down from 6x6's.
I need to drill a ¾-inch diameter hole coaxially up the center of each post, about 9-inches deep. I want to know what's the best drill bit to use that would least likely cause splitting. I've heard that a regular twist bit, like is used for metalworking, is okay. I have a quote for an 'end-grain point' modified brad point bit for $113, a little more than I expected. Maybe a ship auger would be fine?
I haven't attempted any drilling yet. I don't really know how likely splitting would be, but I'd like to protect the work I put into these posts up to this point. I could place clamps on the wood while drilling to keep the posts from expanding. Maybe that would be enough?
Thanks for any advice,
Steve Noll | The Glass Block Pond |