43
votes
How do I make a drill hole the same depth every time?
Ashler's answer is the simplest and cheapest way to get holes the same depth. But as an extra there are bit collars that can be put on the bits which will enforce exact depth stops.
- 15.4k
39
votes
How do I make a drill hole the same depth every time?
A lot of people drill a hole through a suitable length of wood dowel (or small square cross section) and use that as a stop-collar on the drill.
Example
You can also just use an external chunk of ...
- 1,834
32
votes
Accepted
Which type of drill bit for which jobs?
Under what circumstances would I choose which bit? and why?
Different bits excel at distinct tasks:
Forstner/Saw-tooth Bits
(source: Lee Valley)
These bits are excellent if you need a relatively ...
- 12.1k
31
votes
Accepted
How to identify a wood drill bit from a metal drill bit - and does it matter?
It does matter - wood drill bits won't work on metal (destroying the bit in the process, unless used on thin and soft metals) and metal drill bits will increase splintering and tear-out when used on ...
- 3,335
29
votes
Accepted
Why do I go through so many philips bits?
This is an extremely common phenomenon and there's nothing you can do to prevent it entirely.
You seem to be well aware of the standard bit of advice going back to the days of slotted screws, that ...
- 61.8k
26
votes
Accepted
How do I make a drill hole the same depth every time?
The simplest means is to place a tab of masking tape on the drill bit at the desired depth. When the spinning tab lowers to the surface of the wood and sweeps away the wood chips, stop.
- 7,964
23
votes
How do I make a drill hole the same depth every time?
You can also adjust your drill press table to be at the desired depth when the drill reaches the end of it's stroke.
- 896
18
votes
How do I make a drill hole the same depth every time?
Tape is what I would have suggested and continue to use but if you wanted something a little more robust my suggestion would be depth stop collars /nuts
Image from AliExpress
Easily removed off the ...
- 20.1k
17
votes
Accepted
Enlarging a Hole made by a Hole Saw
Lee Valley (I'm sure you can get it elsewhere) sells a product called an Oops Arbor that allows you to mount two hole saws to a single arbor. The smaller one is held further out from the larger one ...
- 4,788
12
votes
Accepted
Tiny core bits for broken screws
Yes, there are hollow screw extractors like you describe, such as these two examples:
http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/set3hollowscrewextractors.aspx
http://www.amazon.com/WoodRiver-Screw-Extractor-...
rob♦
- 18.6k
11
votes
Why do I go through so many philips bits?
Unfortunately, the angled tip on Philips bits causes them to climb and slip, and round over their edges and/or strip the head of the screw. Often if you buy a pack of screwdriver bits for your drill, ...
rob♦
- 18.6k
10
votes
Which type of drill bit for which jobs?
Excellent answer already from grfrazee but I wanted to add a few details.
Although there is some overlap in sizes with this kit (and many others) often the bits don't overlap in function, so the size ...
- 61.8k
10
votes
Accepted
Bench grinder, tool sharpener or sharpening stone?
bench grinder is what I thought was the standard sharpening tool.
A bench grinder is considered a coarse tool when it comes to sharpening fine woodworking implements. The only time you should need ...
- 12.1k
9
votes
Accepted
Replacing small drill bits without buying new sets (or preventing breaks)
Yes, small drill bits can break easily. Some manufacturers offer multi-packs of a single size drill bit. Multi-packs are also available for 1/4" hex shank bits.
Some high-end drill bits are more ...
rob♦
- 18.6k
9
votes
Why do I go through so many philips bits?
Another thing that might help: although the brand of goldscrews that I use are described as being waxed/lubricated, for demanding jobs, or to max out cordless runtime, I use a smear of petroleum jelly ...
- 301
9
votes
Accepted
How to properly sharpen a Forstner bit?
I don't think you can sharpen a Forstner bit accurately enough with abrasive paper. Even if you glue it to a small slips of wood to make rudimentary files from it these won't be particularly stiff so ...
- 61.8k
8
votes
Best method for drilling thousands of holes?
The most basic step is making a jig.
Clamp the jig to your drill press table and you can just put in the blank press it up against the stops and drill down and put the piece on the result pile.
You ...
- 4,454
8
votes
Why do I go through so many philips bits?
Hammer drills are designed for working with masonry. Since you're driving the screws into lumber, you really don't need the hammer action for this job. Switch to a standard drill (or, if your hammer ...
- 181
8
votes
Bench grinder, tool sharpener or sharpening stone?
TL;DR warning.
Bench grinder, tool sharpener or sharpening stone?
Yes :-)
All of those are suitable tools for sharpening woodworking equipment, from chisels to plane irons to drill bits (certain ...
- 61.8k
7
votes
Accepted
Why is my countersink bit making hexagonal holes?
Is it the design of the bit?
Yes I believe that's partly it. But it's almost certainly not the only issue and the main one I think is that it's not sharp enough — this type of countersink rarely is ...
- 61.8k
7
votes
Why is my countersink bit making hexagonal holes?
That's almost certainly due to the bit chattering.
You write that you already tried various speeds, but that's really the solution. Do not run too fast (try half the speed). Apply firm, controlled (...
- 3,835
7
votes
Do auger bits have advantages?
The problems with forstner bits is that they only have a portion of the bit (half an inch or so) that is as wide as the hole you are cutting. Whereas with an auger the entire length of the auger is as ...
- 4,454
7
votes
Tiny core bits for broken screws
Sounds to me like you are describing a use for screw extractors
(source: asklaptopfreak.com)
Your drill needs to have the torque in order to get them in what's left of the head or shaft. They are ...
- 20.1k
7
votes
Best method for drilling thousands of holes?
Are you set on manufacturing these yourself? Because really, "best and most efficient" is to get a company with either large industrial machines or low cost labour to manufacturer this part for you.
...
- 4,788
7
votes
Why do I go through so many philips bits?
Posidriv is a big improvement on Philips. No experience of the others. In the UK I think Posidriv is the most common for construction, with Torx etc for specialist applications.
I use Wera Diamond bi-...
- 301
7
votes
Bench grinder, tool sharpener or sharpening stone?
It all depends. I use my bench grinder to sharpen some of my wood-turning chisels and I use a stone for others.
One thing to be aware of with a bench grinder is for flat chisels it will leave a ...
- 15.4k
7
votes
How can I drill a D-shaped hole to make a custom wood knob for an old stove?
It appears from the description and the photo that the stub cross section is in essence a circle with a chord removed, basically it's a cylinder with a flat bottom. The easiest way to create a ...
- 61.8k
6
votes
Replacing small drill bits without buying new sets (or preventing breaks)
Rob has presented the high end solution, I will present the cheap hack end of the spectrum.
For drilling pilot holes, you can use a brad or nail with the head snipped off. This works remarkably well,...
- 2,196
6
votes
Best method for drilling thousands of holes?
The key to efficiency will not be how many parts you can stack, but rather, how quickly you can set up the next part for drilling. Set up a fixture with appropriate stops so it only takes a second to ...
rob♦
- 18.6k
6
votes
Do auger bits have advantages?
One of the greatest advantages of an auger bit is in its name--it works like an auger, carrying away the chips and shavings that it produces. Auger bits are also available in very long sizes and are ...
rob♦
- 18.6k
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible