Question on Through wiring plugs

[MGO]

In making plugs I have trouble drilling the through wire holes accurately. On plugs 6" or longer I use a long 1/8 drill bit that tends to bend the deeper it gets into the plug, making straight clean drill throughs hit or miss. Anyone else have this problem? Solutions?

[bigboytoyz6]

try using a drill press instead of a cordless drill. that should be more accurate. sounds like the bit is heating up and then softening.

[sams]

IMO the best way to through drill is on your lathe. Put a drill bit chuckin the head stock and us eteh tail stock as yoru guide. You should flip the plug so that you drill from each end every 1" or so to make your holes meet in the middle.

Having recently moved my shop is not set up right now, or I would be hapy to post a video.

Sam

[DaleH]

FWIW most twist drill bits have an included angle of 118-degrees. To prevent walking, wood workers re-grind the tips sharper, to about 135-degrees. You should also never count on the flutes to clear the chips out themselves, you need to back the drill out of the stock to effectively clear the cutting edges, otherwise when they clog, it’ll walk.

[MGO]

Thanks guys. I think the bit was heating up, accuracy went down as the number of plugs I worked on went up. I'll try using the lathe. I don't know how to regrind the bit tip. Is there a tool to do it? Cause I definitely need more tools.

[sams]

Even usingthe lathe you will need to work the bit in and out every 1/2" or so to clear the chips. You can also look into fluted bits that clear better than standard bits.

sam

[smann1]

Drill from each end they will always meet in the middle, that way you will always have a true center at each end.