Deep drilling wood.

[Oldschool shooter]

Starting on a new project. Restocking a Rossi 92, only because I found a real nice piece of wood for cheap. My question, how do I drill a straight hole over the length of the forearm for the magazine tube without the drill "wandering"? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[B-Sharp]

Best way I have found is lay it out and drill from both ends, let it meet in the middle.

My drill press table tilts.

 

[Jonny2guns]

Might be easier/more accurate to chuck up an end mill bit and use a cross slide vise.

 

[B-Sharp]

Might be easier/more accurate to chuck up an end mill bit and use a cross slide vise.

In a lathe?
A drill bit in the lathe would work, if you have one.

 

[Jonny2guns]

In a lathe?
A drill bit in the lathe would work, if you have one.

No, I've used them in my drill press, then use a cross slide vise for your X and Y axis.

 

[Blue68f100]

I have not seen one in person so is the original drilled or is it slotted? If slotted the use of a router bit and table would work.

The problem with drilling deep holes is finding drill bits that are straight and sharpened correctly so they will drill straight. A Lathe or Mil would work. Most drill presses only have a 4-4.5" travel.

 

[Oldschool shooter]

In a lathe?
A drill bit in the lathe would work, if you have one.

I don't have a lathe, but have access to one at work.

 

[Oldschool shooter]

I have not seen one in person so is the original drilled or is it slotted? If slotted the use of a router bit and table would work.

The problem with drilling deep holes is finding drill bits that are straight and sharpened correctly so they will drill straight. A Lathe or Mil would work. Most drill presses only have a 4-4.5" travel.

I could probably set up in a Bridgeport at work. Start with a short drill, then use a longer drill, or drill from each end and meet in the middle.

 

[Oldschool shooter]

Might be easier/more accurate to chuck up an end mill bit and use a cross slide vise.

Only problem is that the endmill would have to be quite long, even if working from both ends.

 

[Bazoo]

I don't know how they are drilled from the factory, but a long bradpoint drill bit from both ends would be the way I would attempt it. I'm a carpenter and not a machinist, however.

 

[Jackrabbit1957]

I used a piece of 3/8 diameter rod welded to a brad point drill, also 3/8 to drill ramrod holes in muzzleloader stocks. If you have a way to properly hold your piece of wood and a way to support the the drill shank it shouldn't wander.

 

[P89DCSS]

For the diameter hole required I'd used a Fostner bit.

 

[243winxb]

I dont know. How about a small pilot hole to start?

I see drill bits in 1 foot or 2 feet long.

 

[B-Sharp]

I don't have a lathe, but have access to one at work

An angle plate on the side of a Bridgeport. Let the stock hang over the side. Drill as deep as you can with a standard length drill. Flip it over and drill the clearance hole for the bolt head. Get a long drill and finish the last 2"s with a hand drill.[small hole]

 

[AK Hunter]

Start with a smaller pilot hole all the way through, then the drill will track on that hole as you enlarge the hole to the size you need.

 

[Oldschool shooter]

For the diameter hole required I'd used a Fostner bit.
View attachment 1183943

 

[Oldschool shooter]

A Forstner bit may be too large in diameter. I have to check exact hole size, but it looks to be about 1/2" or slightly larger.

 

[Blue68f100]

Small drill bits (<3/16") used for a pilot will have a tendency to walk due to flex. If you going to use a pilot I would suggest using a bit at least 3/16-1/4" .

You did not say what length you need to drill and what size your looking at. This info would help.

 

[bbqncigars]

1/2" Forstner bits can be had for ten bucks or so through Amazon or a variety of B&M stores. A straight shank extension will give you plenty of depth. Total cost for both should be under $25 w/o S&H.

 

[beag_nut]

Because of my furniture business I have every size of Forstner, including metric. They go all the way down to 3/8", or less. The only limitation is the extension piece (and its diameter).

 

[Oldschool shooter]

Small drill bits (<3/16") used for a pilot will have a tendency to walk due to flex. If you going to use a pilot I would suggest using a bit at least 3/16-1/4" .

You did not say what length you need to drill and what size your looking at. This info would help.

Approximately 12 inches. I have to take exact time measurements on length a d diameter.

 

[Blue68f100]

Going that deep is going to be a chore. Take small cuts and clean out the chips. If a piece of wood sticks to the cutting edges it will make the bit walk. Where I use to work at the machinist had to drill 1/8" holes 18" and deeper and have them intersect, was nearly impossible with a drill bit. They went with a EDM and it never missed.

 

[BBBBill]

@Oldschool shooter Here ya go. Extension for forstner bits.

Amazon.com

www.amazon.com

 

[MikeInOr]

If you want the hole perfectly straight and perfectly positioned... cut the block in half, route out each side with a half round router bit then glue the two halves back together. If you cut the block up and down, with the grain, you will never know it was cut after it has been glued back together.

A brad point bit is very similar to a Fostner bit but mad in smaller diameters, and much longer lengths. If you just want to drill thee block with a chance of a little wandering look for a long brad point bit.

https://www.amazon.com/Perfect-Dril...=sr_1_4?keywords=brad+point+drill+long&sr=8-4

 

[a5werkes]

@Oldschool shooter Here ya go. Extension for forstner bits.

Amazon.com

www.amazon.com

this is what happened when I followed that link! Just sayin'.