OK, I know that what I have is entry level stuff. It's a cheap-o
Clarke. With twist drill bits it isn't bad but with Forstner bits its
ridiculous. I see Norm drilling 1" holes though 3" stock in 5 seconds
and shavings are flying all over the place. It takes me like like 2 or
3 minutes to get through 1/2" ply and instead of shavings I get powder
and smoke from the gole and if I press down too hard the whole thing
stalls. The belt is ok (tight and not slipping) and the bits are new
and sharp so I assume the unit has just too little power. But what's
the guideline for power: top RPMs or wattage?
FoggyTown
"foggytown" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> OK, I know that what I have is entry level stuff. It's a cheap-o
> Clarke. With twist drill bits it isn't bad but with Forstner bits its
> ridiculous. I see Norm drilling 1" holes though 3" stock in 5 seconds
> and shavings are flying all over the place. It takes me like like 2 or
> 3 minutes to get through 1/2" ply and instead of shavings I get powder
> and smoke from the gole and if I press down too hard the whole thing
> stalls. The belt is ok (tight and not slipping) and the bits are new
> and sharp so I assume the unit has just too little power. But what's
> the guideline for power: top RPMs or wattage?
>
> FoggyTown
>
Dull bits - period. Forstners bit are designed to run at slow (250-400
rpm).
Dave
On 11 May 2006 13:53:51 -0700, foggytown wrote:
> OK, I know that what I have is entry level stuff. It's a cheap-o
> Clarke. With twist drill bits it isn't bad but with Forstner bits its
> ridiculous. I see Norm drilling 1" holes though 3" stock in 5 seconds
> and shavings are flying all over the place. It takes me like like 2 or
> 3 minutes to get through 1/2" ply and instead of shavings I get powder
> and smoke from the gole and if I press down too hard the whole thing
> stalls. The belt is ok (tight and not slipping) and the bits are new
> and sharp so I assume the unit has just too little power. But what's
> the guideline for power: top RPMs or wattage?
I've used Forstners up to 2 inches diameter on an import benchtop drill press.
It takes patience, but it can be done. Powder instead of shavings makes me
think your bits aren't sharp. Also, keep the spindel speed down, around 500
RPM seems right for the larger bits.
--
Art
"foggytown" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> OK, I know that what I have is entry level stuff. It's a cheap-o
> Clarke. With twist drill bits it isn't bad but with Forstner bits its
> ridiculous. I see Norm drilling 1" holes though 3" stock in 5 seconds
> and shavings are flying all over the place. It takes me like like 2 or
> 3 minutes to get through 1/2" ply and instead of shavings I get powder
> and smoke from the gole and if I press down too hard the whole thing
> stalls. The belt is ok (tight and not slipping) and the bits are new
> and sharp so I assume the unit has just too little power. But what's
> the guideline for power: top RPMs or wattage?
>
> FoggyTown
>
Well everyone has told you why but not how to correct the problem.
Here's one site or just Google for "Sharpening Forstner bits"
http://www.real-world-solutions.org/calvin/forstner.htm
Bob S.
"foggytown" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> OK, I know that what I have is entry level stuff. It's a cheap-o
> Clarke. With twist drill bits it isn't bad but with Forstner bits its
> ridiculous. I see Norm drilling 1" holes though 3" stock in 5 seconds
> and shavings are flying all over the place. It takes me like like 2 or
> 3 minutes to get through 1/2" ply and instead of shavings I get powder
> and smoke from the gole and if I press down too hard the whole thing
> stalls. The belt is ok (tight and not slipping) and the bits are new
> and sharp so I assume the unit has just too little power. But what's
> the guideline for power: top RPMs or wattage?
>
> FoggyTown
>
Your drill bit is worth less than what you paid for it. You absolutely
should be getting shavings not dust regardless of your motors power. Dust
always comes from a dull blade, bit, or knife. You want relative low rpm's,
500 to 700 range.
I think your bits came from the same place as the drill press. Dull bits
make powder and smoke, not low powered drill presses.
"foggytown" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> OK, I know that what I have is entry level stuff. It's a cheap-o
> Clarke. With twist drill bits it isn't bad but with Forstner bits its
> ridiculous. I see Norm drilling 1" holes though 3" stock in 5 seconds
> and shavings are flying all over the place. It takes me like like 2 or
> 3 minutes to get through 1/2" ply and instead of shavings I get powder
> and smoke from the gole and if I press down too hard the whole thing
> stalls. The belt is ok (tight and not slipping) and the bits are new
> and sharp so I assume the unit has just too little power. But what's
> the guideline for power: top RPMs or wattage?
>
> FoggyTown
>