Reply To: Cutting a circular depression – how to?
Welcome! / Forums / General Woodworking Discussions / Woodworking Methods and Techniques / Cutting a circular depression – how to? / Reply To: Cutting a circular depression – how to?
One more, Keith.
There are Forster bits available relatively inexpensively for both sizes. I see a carbide bladed 95mm with a 12 mm shank for $17.23 – ( three day free shipping from Hong Kong in the USA ) with a small center point and there are plenty in the smaller sizes.
Drill the large hole, then grind the center point off the smaller bit and drill that hole.i have had good success in a drill press ( pillar drill) with a pointless Forster. I used a pointless Forster to excavate most of strike plate depressions and such in commercial situations. I’ve even done that hole with a bit brace using a hole in some 1/4” ply with the hole predrilled as a guide. That largest hole I’ve done in a bit brace is around 2 1/4” for lock holes , but larger should be possible by hand. Use a sharp Forster with a point, not a screw snail and press lightly.
A true Forster bit doesn’t really require a center point when used in a drill press. The outside rim will guide it. I keep a 1” one around to create rectangular depressions with overlapping holes on occasion. It’s a quick way to clear most of the waste for a sharpening stone holder, for instance.
Finish with some minor cleanup of the bottom of the holes with a hand router.
[attachment file=”601130″]