Large, Long Holes in Wood...

Joe AutoDrill · 2008-08-05T13:39:24+00:00

Here is an inquiry I received this morning:*** START ***I am trying to find some sources to help us build a wood boring machine that can drill from 4" up to 10" (rarely larger), mostly our needs call for the 4" ~ 8" diameter range boring up the center of the log lengthwise. Length of the pole is typically 8' to 12' long. We are trying to find a source for the machine and drill bits. B&A Manufacturing referred us to you for the equipment part of our needs. Tree diameter generally calls for needing at least 4" larger than the diameter of the hole, but usually 6" is better (3" width of tree leftover all away around the diameter of the hole and the larger the tree, the larger width of wood needs to remain). So if can imagine, we may have a 16" diameter tree, 10' long, that calls for a 8" diameterThis is one of the hardest, most dense woods of the world.Is there a stock machine out there that can do what we are asking, and if so is that something you can offer? Do you know where we might find one and at what kind of cost?Someone had one built that drills it while still leaving the "donut hole" for lack of a better term still intact so that when it is finally drilled all the way through, we are left with a wood cylinder in the diameter of the bit used. Do, if our job calls for a 4" hole, we end up with a wood cylinder slightly less than 4" in diameter. That is then pulled out of the inside of the log. We found this to give us the most success in boring out this wood.Please let me know what you can come up with.*** END ***Anyone have any leads for this guy? I can't / won't build a machine of this caliber but would love to point him in the right direction.Regards,Joe Agro, Jr.(800) 871-502201.908.542.0244Automatic / Pneumatic Drills: Spindle Drills: ** Posted from **

Aug 05, 2008 49 Replies

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Ian Malcolm 17 years ago

I'd want to have some idea what the wood tube is being used for. If no explanation is forthcoming, it might be for smuggling . . .

It would explain the requirement for boring it without splitting. Presumably the end will be plugged with a plug cut from a slice taken off before boring commenced to match the rings. For it to be worthwile, the payload must be high value so probably drugs or worse. If you think I'm being paranoid, read

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smuggling in Finland using hollow spuce logs)

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Tom Watson 17 years ago

It is difficult for me to accept the premise that this much effort would go into a mast for a Sunfish, which is about as big a craft that could be serviced by a 12' max mast.

Regards, Tom.

Thos. J. Watson - Cabinetmaker

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Tom Watson 17 years ago

Please do not write to me to tell me that it could be for a larger class of boat.

Accept the hyperbole for what it is.

Regards, Tom.

Thos. J. Watson - Cabinetmaker

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Robatoy 17 years ago

Tubes for uranium enrichment centrifuges?

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Morris Dovey 17 years ago

More likely for mortar tubes that can be smuggled aboard airliners without attracting TSA attention...

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Joe AutoDrill 17 years ago

Customer is in Hawaii... Could be smuggling, but I'm guessing that anything they would want to smuggle out of Hawaii could be sold in Hawaii direct.

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Joe AutoDrill 17 years ago

I think it's for a windsurfer then... How's that?

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Spott 17 years ago

I vote for organ pipes, but the walls seem awful thick...

Spott

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Joe AutoDrill 17 years ago

As in artery replacement?

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Robatoy 17 years ago

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