Shopsmith Forums

Hi

Perhaps this has been covered before, but here we go. I want to use forstner bits (could be up to clock size)and a fly cutter (circle cutter) but the lowest speed seems to be too fast. What have you folks done?

Thanks
GeorgeM

There is no good solution to using your Shopsmith to bore such large holes other than to purchase a speed reducer (or the PowerPro upgrade). As Dusty point out below, there are other non-Shopsmith solutions.

GeorgeM wrote:Hi

Perhaps this has been covered before, but here we go. I want to use forstner bits (could be up to clock size)and a fly cutter (circle cutter) but the lowest speed seems to be too fast. What have you folks done?

Thanks
GeorgeM

The answer: I cut holes of that size using a hand held variable speed drill motor but then I do this for a very small number of holes. Therefore, I think there needs to be a return question. How many holes of this description are you going to be drilling?

Well, at this time, I'm not sure. I'm also concerned about the lathe at 750 rpm. It looks like I may be hanging on to my old and small B&D drill press.

GeorgeM

750 RPM may be too fast for the lathe but will be OK for small items such as pens. Larger items like bowls will be OK with care provided that they are well balanced.
For the larger holes you could try to make the holes using the forstner bits in a piece of plywood about 1/4 inch thick and using the plywood as a template for a router with a bit that has a guide bearing.
If you use a large forstner bit for the hole in the project make sure that you clamp the work firmly to the table and then use a VERY slow feed rate when drilling.

wa2crk wrote:750 RPM may be too fast for the lathe but will be OK for small items such as pens. Larger items like bowls will be OK with care provided that they are well balanced.
For the larger holes you could try to make the holes using the forstner bits in a piece of plywood about 1/4 inch thick and using the plywood as a template for a router with a bit that has a guide bearing.
If you use a large forstner bit for the hole in the project make sure that you clamp the work firmly to the table and then use a VERY slow feed rate when drilling.

Thanks for your response

GeorgeM

I am inclined to create holes larger than an inch or two in diameter with a hand held jig/sabre saw. If the workpiece is small enough, the jig saw or scroll saw.

Yes 700 rpm is too fast for larger bits/cutters.

Does anyone have a speed chart for fostener bits? I've just been guessing.

Chris
try here
http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/drill ... _1451.html
Bill V

wa2crk wrote:Chris
try here
http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/drill ... _1451.html
Bill V

Thank You for that!!!!