Drill Bits for Airways and Mortises

[sandahlpipe]

Let me start off by saying that I have been having some occasional issues with drilling being slightly off center (maybe a half mm or so) and looking into buying higher quality drill bits to at least eliminate one more variable.

Currently, I have spade bits that I've cut the shank off about 3" short to reduce wobble.

I'm looking for a good, strong airway bit to at least get the hole started. I have some longer 5/32 and 11/32 bits I bought from McMaster-Carr, but they are long enough that they wobble on he lathe. I have been starting those holes with cheap drill bits from a set I bought for $3 at Menards.

For my mortises, if I want anything besides 1/4 or 5/16, I have a cheap set I bought from Harbor Freight with fractional sizes through 1/2".

Does anyone have drill bit brand ideas?

[oklahoma red]

With no intent toward insulting you I would ask that if you are drilling on a lathe are you sure that the tail stock is in proper alignment? Are you starting your holes, whenever possible, with a center drill? With these procedures and quality bits there is no obvious reason for off center holes. I've had good luck drilling airways with either Black and Decker Bullet bits or DeWalt Pilot Point. I've not had any issues with them wanting to wander. Of course, just as in any drilling operations go slow and clean out the hole often. I'll peck no more than a 1/4" at a time.
But obviously one has to START on center or it won't make any difference what you are using for a bit. You cannot un-ring the bell.
Chas.

[sandahlpipe]

Everything is properly centered, the block is squared off. Taking little chunks at a time. And my lathe is bolted down. It's definitely a drill bit wandering issue. Bear in mind that I'm using 50+ year old briar, which is extremely hard and dry.


So I'm certain that the issue is the quality of drill bit here. On some of the drill bits, I can see with my eye that they aren't perfectly straight. Either way, I'm looking to buy some high quality bits. The sturdier the better. I don't have a center drill, but I have been making a divot with the lathe tool to where I start the hole.


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[caskwith]

To start holes you want to use a centre drill.

[Charl]

Sometime last year, I bought a set of stubby bradpoint bits. I haven't measured them, but I would reckon that they can drill about 25mm deep. For mortises, they work like a bomb for me. Centers easily and way too short for any wobble.
For starting the airway, I use double-sided 4mm bits.

[sandahlpipe]

Center drill is a good idea. I still want to get good quality bits, but I'll add center drills to the shopping list as well.


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[mightysmurf8201]

Fuller drill bits are more than adequate. Mcfeely's has them. Get a few different lengths for each size bit, and use the shortes one possible for the job to avoid wobble. When I drill a longer draught hole, I start with the shortest drill bit to avoid wandering, and work my way up to the final length. It might not be necessary, but my OCD requires me to do this, and it hasn't failed me yet. Also, the wider diameter drill bit, the stronger it will be and will flex less. Yet another reason for wider draught holes

[mightysmurf8201]

BTW, I see you're in Brooklyn Center. I grew up in Anoka. I'm actually going to be visiting family there for a few weeks at the end of June. If you'd like to get together and talk pipe making, smoke, hang out, have a beer, just let me know.

[sandahlpipe]

BTW, I see you're in Brooklyn Center. I grew up in Anoka. I'm actually going to be visiting family there for a few weeks at the end of June. If you'd like to get together and talk pipe making, smoke, hang out, have a beer, just let me know.

I'd love to meet up. And thanks for the brand recommendation as well.


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[andrew]

Almost all my "off center" drilling issues were traced back to setup or drilling technique.
1) make sure you are clearing the chips more often than you think you should. If your chips to not simply fall off the bit, you are taking off too much at a time. An over packed bit is like a dull spear finding the path of least resistance.
2) you could be setting up incorrectly.

If you are getting a mix of good and bad results it is probably one of those two issues. I've had tailstock alignment problems before, but they never translated to noticeable drilling problems (other problems yes).

You can get good drilling results with cheap bits, they just break more often, tend pack more readily, and dull quicker (cheap material and finish).

andrew

[sandahlpipe]

It isn't the tailstock. It could be dull bits, but the bits also flex more easily than I would like. I do have a few Irwin bits for the mortise, which do a good job and leave behind a smooth surface. I'm looking to get something that will hold an edge and clear chips more easily and above all be absolutely straight.

The drill bits I have right now are bent and it's time to replace them, so I'm looking to buy high quality so they will last longer.


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[andrew]

The drill bits I have right now are bent and it's time to replace them, so I'm looking to buy high quality so they will last longer.

Bent will do it

andrew

[Jthompson1995]

I bought a set of Norseman brand drill bits and am very pleased with them. They are not cheap but are excellent quality and extremely precise. I've found that the 5/16 & 3/8 bits fit the delrin I have perfectly. Just like lots of other tooling, the good stuff isn't cheap but will save you lots of headaches in the end.

[wdteipen]

Fuller drill bits are good quality bits. I use Fuller long bits. I start my airway with short bits like Emmanuel. Most big box hardware store bits will work fine. I also use center drills so the bit doesn't walk at the start. If your bits are bent then you may be forcing the bit. Let the bit do the work and take short 1/8" cuts and clear the flutes. If you do this your bits shouldn't wander.

[sandahlpipe]

I just bought a set of Norseman bits. I'll have to look at the Fuller bits.

As for the bend, I have had them for a while and used them for many things besides airways. I'm sure drilling through steel wasn't the best for them.

In my research, I also came across drill bit sharpeners. How do you sharpen your drill bits?

Thanks for all the helpful suggestions!

[LatakiaLover]

If it's drill bits you're looking for:

http://www.fastenal.com/web/products/cu ... rilling%22|~

[W.Pastuch]

I think in this case a good setup is more important than than having the highest possible quality drill bits. If your setup is precise you can use whatever drill bits you have at hand (asuuming they're right for the job) without thinking whether it's a Fuller, Irwin or some other brand. Choosing one can be good for repeatability (like holes for delrin), but other than that it doesn't matter that much.

Making briar pipe puts little stress on the bits, so once you get a good set you can use it for a couple of years, barring strange situations and accidents. No need to sharpen them.


btw, I think you got more drill bit producers in the US than in all of Europe... I would never make my mind which one to choose if I had so many options

[sandahlpipe]

Everything needs to be sharp enough to draw blood. Otherwise, you're doing work twice. If you sharpen your tools, there's no need to go back and polish what you've done. When I'm done drilling my airway, I want to see shiny inside. Maybe I'm just being anal, but sharp is always worth the few seconds it takes to make them sharp.


As for manufacturers, that's exactly the problem. So many to choose from. And some of them are much lower quality than you can get in Europe. But some of them are pretty fine tools.


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[d.huber]

I'd recommend picking up some chip clearing bits. I bought an 8" Chip Clearing bit from McMaster Carr early last year and drilling has gone faster and been more accurate.

[sandahlpipe]

That's a good idea too. I may have to do that at some point when I recover from buying the Norseman set.


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