Ss

"Steve"

26/02/2006 3:30 PM

Forstner bits for oak worktops?

Hi Folks
New to the group. I need to drill two holes about 5/8" diam. for some
kitchen taps to fit them to 44mm solid oak worktops and have been
advised to use `forstner bits` for this job and wondered if group
members would rindeed ecommend these or any other way of doing it
please.
Thanks
Steve


This topic has 15 replies

Ss

"Steve"

in reply to "Steve" on 26/02/2006 3:30 PM

26/02/2006 3:41 PM

Thanks for the quick reply Leon. The holes will actually be hidden by
the flange on the tap base. I did think about speed or spade bits and
wondered if the oak would be too tough for them?.
Cheers
Steve

JM

"John Martin"

in reply to "Steve" on 26/02/2006 3:30 PM

27/02/2006 9:05 AM


Enoch Root wrote:
> George E. Cawthon wrote:
> > AAvK wrote:
> >
> >> Brace (sp?) and bit.
> >> Jim
> >>
> >>
> >> Definitely my favorite idea.
> >>
> > Easily the best choice. At least to start the hole and have a clean edge.
> >
> > Don't know why everyone is afraid of hand tools. Even with a large hole,
> > e.g., 2-1/8, for locks, you cab use one of those adjustable bits. Seems
> > that few people remember when electricity wasn't always available and of
> > course battery operated drills weren't available. Same for hand saws.
>
> It is for a faucet and so might be up against the wall, in which case an
> ordinary brace's swing could be blocked by a wall...
>
> Maybe an eggbeater? :)
>
> er

Most braces have ratchets.

An eggbeater drill is fine for small holes, but not so hot for larger
ones.

John Martin

LL

"Locutus"

in reply to "Steve" on 26/02/2006 3:30 PM

26/02/2006 11:18 PM


"Joe Tylicki" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> <<<For some reason I just don't like using spade bits.>>>
>
> My reason is that I prefer my wrist in its current unfractured state.
>
>

Are you referring to bore bits?

Aa

"AAvK"

in reply to "Steve" on 26/02/2006 3:30 PM

26/02/2006 6:24 PM


Brace (sp?) and bit.
Jim


Definitely my favorite idea.

--
Alex - "newbie_neander" woodworker
cravdraa_at-yahoo_dot-com
not my site: http://www.e-sword.net/

Lr

"Leon"

in reply to "Steve" on 26/02/2006 3:30 PM

26/02/2006 11:36 PM


"Steve" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hi Folks
> New to the group. I need to drill two holes about 5/8" diam. for some
> kitchen taps to fit them to 44mm solid oak worktops and have been
> advised to use `forstner bits` for this job and wondered if group
> members would rindeed ecommend these or any other way of doing it
> please.

Do these need to be clean? If not, use a spade bit. Forstner bits are
tough to use with an electric hand drill as a drill press would be better.


GE

"George E. Cawthon"

in reply to "Steve" on 26/02/2006 3:30 PM

27/02/2006 2:42 AM

AAvK wrote:
> Brace (sp?) and bit.
> Jim
>
>
> Definitely my favorite idea.
>
Easily the best choice. At least to start the
hole and have a clean edge.

Don't know why everyone is afraid of hand tools.
Even with a large hole, e.g., 2-1/8, for locks,
you cab use one of those adjustable bits. Seems
that few people remember when electricity wasn't
always available and of course battery operated
drills weren't available. Same for hand saws.

ER

Enoch Root

in reply to "Steve" on 26/02/2006 3:30 PM

27/02/2006 8:52 AM

George E. Cawthon wrote:
> AAvK wrote:
>
>> Brace (sp?) and bit.
>> Jim
>>
>>
>> Definitely my favorite idea.
>>
> Easily the best choice. At least to start the hole and have a clean edge.
>
> Don't know why everyone is afraid of hand tools. Even with a large hole,
> e.g., 2-1/8, for locks, you cab use one of those adjustable bits. Seems
> that few people remember when electricity wasn't always available and of
> course battery operated drills weren't available. Same for hand saws.

It is for a faucet and so might be up against the wall, in which case an
ordinary brace's swing could be blocked by a wall...

Maybe an eggbeater? :)

er
--
email not valid

Ds

Dan

in reply to "Steve" on 26/02/2006 3:30 PM

27/02/2006 2:05 AM

On Sun 26 Feb 2006 05:30:48p, "Steve" <[email protected]> wrote
in news:[email protected]:

> Hi Folks
> New to the group. I need to drill two holes about 5/8" diam. for some
> kitchen taps to fit them to 44mm solid oak worktops and have been
> advised to use `forstner bits` for this job and wondered if group
> members would rindeed ecommend these or any other way of doing it
> please.
> Thanks
> Steve

I'm not a pro but I agree with everybody who said a forstner bit doesn't
seem like the right choice. They're only 5/8 holes. Seems to me you could
get nice clean hole with an auger or brad point, or even a plain ol' normal
bit, long as you're careful and don't go too fast. Spade bit would be my
last choice. For some reason I just don't like using spade bits.

Forstner would work fine but you got to kinda "coax" it along with a hand
drill and unless you need a short hole with a flat bottom I don't know as
I'd worry about it.

Cs

"CW"

in reply to "Steve" on 26/02/2006 3:30 PM

28/02/2006 2:18 AM

That's what the ratchet is for.
"Enoch Root" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> It is for a faucet and so might be up against the wall, in which case an
> ordinary brace's swing could be blocked by a wall...
>

JT

"Joe Tylicki"

in reply to "Steve" on 26/02/2006 3:30 PM

27/02/2006 4:47 AM


>>
>
> Are you referring to bore bits?

I don't know what that is but I was referring to standard spade bits.


JT

"Joe Tylicki"

in reply to "Steve" on 26/02/2006 3:30 PM

27/02/2006 3:56 AM

<<<For some reason I just don't like using spade bits.>>>

My reason is that I prefer my wrist in its current unfractured state.


LH

Lew Hodgett

in reply to "Steve" on 26/02/2006 3:30 PM

27/02/2006 1:24 AM

Steve wrote:

> New to the group. I need to drill two holes about 5/8" diam. for some
> kitchen taps to fit them to 44mm solid oak worktops and have been
> advised to use `forstner bits` for this job and wondered if group
> members would rindeed ecommend these or any other way of doing it
> please.

Forstner bits do a great job if you need a clean hole; however, very
difficult to use with a hand drill.

I'd probably use a hole saw with a hand drill which will also provide a
clean hole.

From memory, 5/8" is the minimum hole saw size.

If you are willing to accept a garbage job, then think spade bit.


Lew

JN

"Jim Northey"

in reply to "Steve" on 26/02/2006 3:30 PM

26/02/2006 11:54 PM

Brace (sp?) and bit.
Jim
"Steve" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hi Folks
> New to the group. I need to drill two holes about 5/8" diam. for some
> kitchen taps to fit them to 44mm solid oak worktops and have been
> advised to use `forstner bits` for this job and wondered if group
> members would rindeed ecommend these or any other way of doing it
> please.
> Thanks
> Steve
>

WC

W Canaday

in reply to "Steve" on 26/02/2006 3:30 PM

27/02/2006 10:46 PM

On Sun, 26 Feb 2006 15:30:48 -0800, Steve wrote:

> Hi Folks
> New to the group. I need to drill two holes about 5/8" diam. for some
> kitchen taps to fit them to 44mm solid oak worktops and have been advised
> to use `forstner bits` for this job and wondered if group members would
> rindeed ecommend these or any other way of doing it please.
> Thanks
> Steve

Skip the Forstner bit.

Drill a 1/4" hole all the way through with whatever style of drill you
already own. Make the diameter larger by drilling from both sides with a
standard 5/8" twist drill.

OR

Pick any drill bit you own that is approximately the same size as the web
(the straight across part that joins the two cutting lips) of the 5/8"
drill you plan to use. Drill all the way through to mark the location from
both sides.

Since you are probably using a hand drill, don't make the pilot hole too
big or you'll have trouble with the 5/8" drill wanting to grab the sides
and make an UGLY hole. And a bruise or two.

Bill

Lr

"Leon"

in reply to "Steve" on 26/02/2006 3:30 PM

26/02/2006 11:56 PM


"Steve" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Thanks for the quick reply Leon. The holes will actually be hidden by
> the flange on the tap base. I did think about speed or spade bits and
> wondered if the oak would be too tough for them?.
> Cheers
> Steve
>

Steve you could probably buy 3 or 4 spade bits for 1/2" the price of a
Forstner bit. If the hole is not critical and will not show I would go with
the spade. In an electric hand drill the Spade would probably cut faster
than a Forstner bit. Basically Frostier bits will drill very clean and flat
bottomed holes. If you burn a spade bit up you may only be out a dollar or
2.


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