I'm working on building a three-legged stool and need to create a 1-inch angled hole for the leg tenons. I have a Craftsman cordless drill, and I'm wondering if I can use a 1-inch auger bit without any issues, or if there's a better method for doing this.
5 Answers
You might want to pre-drill if you don’t have a drill press. There are guides available that could help you drill at fixed angles consistently. They’re pretty affordable and can make a big difference.
Are you building the Rex Krueger stool? I did a similar project a while back and free-handed the angle with a WoodOwl bit. It didn’t turn out perfect, but it worked pretty well! Here’s a pic of my version.
Great idea to cut a wedge out of scrap wood to match the angle you need! Clamp it to the stool seat and drill through that—it really helps keep things straight. If you're using a hole saw, it’s especially good because the pilot bit keeps it steady.
You can definitely use a good quality auger bit for this! I'd recommend a WoodOwl, which has a lead screw and cutting spurs. You could also use a paddle bit, like a Freud Diablo—just take it slow and clean out the chips often. A bevel gauge can help you set the angle and keep the bit straight, especially at the start. If you opt for a hole saw, make sure to clamp a backer board to prevent blowout on the exit face.
You could also make a simple jig with a pre-drilled block of wood. It’ll help ensure all your leg holes are at the same angle. Just use a scrap 2x4 and drill a smaller hole to guide your bit, keeping everything flat as you start each leg.
Yeah, that's pretty much what I'm going for!