I'm working on a small lamp and need to drill a 2-inch hole that's about 6 inches deep into an 8-inch block of endgrain. I'm wondering what the best drill bit would be for this. I tried a Forstner bit, but it seems to be shredding the wood and only taking tiny shavings. A spade bit hasn't gotten me very far either. Any suggestions?
4 Answers
Do you have a drill press? That's a great help! If you don't, you might want to use a small brad point bit first to make a guide hole. Then you can switch to a Forstner or an auger bit, but be careful to clear the bit regularly to prevent sawdust buildup. Always helps to keep things moving smoothly!
You can also consider adding small pieces of a contrasting wood between the seams for a neat touch!
I faced a similar challenge not long ago. What worked for me was cutting the block in half, then using a router to create half the hole in each piece. After that, I glued it back together, and it turned out great!
Just remember to take your time! Drilling through endgrain is tricky because the fibers are still really strong. To speed it up, try drilling a shallow 2" hole first, then punch a 6" deep hole using a smaller bit like 3/8" or 1/2" in the center. From there, you can use a router with a guide bearing spiral bit to gradually cut out the rest.
Clamping your workpiece is crucial! Using a drill press with a progression of bits from small to large is the way to go. Another method? Start with a hole saw to create a 1-inch hole, then clear the debris out using smaller bits, chiseling, or a router. Drill down another inch with the hole saw when you're ready to go deeper. For a clean finish at the end, use a Forstner bit for the last bit of work.
I do have a drill press, but even with a Forstner bit, I've found it to be super slow at all speeds. Might need a different approach.