Boring pepper mills

[tango]

I've been making pepper mills for some time now, and I'm wondering if anyone has a better idea as to what drill bit to use for the body of the mill.

I've been using a 1 1/16" forstner bit with an extender, but I'm not happy with the results. The bit seems to get extremely hot during the boring (haven't used my new speed reducer with it yet ) and even with the reducer it seems like too much for a forstner bit.

I've been thinking of switching to an auger bit or a spade bit but don't know which one would be better to use.

I have made purple heart, mahogany, cherry, and some mills with a mixture of woods and all have the same results; bit is too hot which is ruining (or ruined) one of my bits already.

I know, I know... use the speed reducer Tango... come on!

I haven't had the reducer long enough to try it out with a new mill. Actually i got the reducer due to my bits being destroyed.

Also, even with the extendor the shopsmith drill function isn't long enough to bore through an entire 8 inch body. This results in a milled body that isn't always as straight as I'd like since I have to lower the bit into the body and then start the machine and drilling again - also this seems kind of dangerous and that's never a good thing.

Spade or auger... hmmm

Also, I'm looking for a decent design for a vice setup to hold the body as I bore it on the press.

Lots of work to do on this project apparently.

Thanks all,
Tango

[mbcabinetmaker]

Tango

There is a huge difference in the quality of Forstner bits. Here is a link to a bit that will do what you want. http://www.freud-tools.com/frprshfobi.html I have struggled with brand new low quality bits that will not cut, Now this is the only bit that I will buy. You should still take small bites and back up to allow the chips to expel. They are a large factor in the heat build up.

[mbcabinetmaker]

Well I looked back and they don't offer the bit in 1 1/16. I have never made a pepper mill, Is the bit size critical or could you use 1 1/8?

[oldc6]

I read that when drilling in end grain always use a spade bit. all others will burn. cant find article but, think it was in wood magazine or web site. do not have much experience with it....

[JPG]

Tango

There is a huge difference in the quality of Forstner bits. Here is a link to a bit that will do what you want. http://www.freud-tools.com/frprshfobi.html I have struggled with brand new low quality bits that will not cut, Now this is the only bit that I will buy. You should still take small bites and back up to allow the chips to expel. They are a large factor in the heat build up.

Large indeed! The chips carry the heat out. Also make sure you ARE cutting when the bit is against workpiece. The chips DO need to be cleared out often. They do NOT have an auger to carry them out.

P.S. I did not know pepper mills were 'Boring'. :>)

[baysidebob]

Large indeed! The chips carry the heat out. Also make sure you ARE cutting when the bit is against workpiece. The chips DO need to be cleared out often. They do NOT have an auger to carry them out.

P.S. I did not know pepper mills were 'Boring'. :>)

I bought a couple kits to make pepper mill but someone told me they were
"Boring" and when finished with them they are always a "Grind" to use......

[fjimp]

Large indeed! The chips carry the heat out. Also make sure you ARE cutting when the bit is against workpiece. The chips DO need to be cleared out often. They do NOT have an auger to carry them out.

P.S. I did not know pepper mills were 'Boring'. :>)

Yes sir back out the bit often, yeah even more often than that. I find my bits stay sharper much long that way. I purchased my pepper mill kits from PSI. I also ordered my bits and in fact all of the items needed from them. Generally speaking I can count on better quality on such items. Much like the quality one can expect from shopsmith. Jim

[charlese]

Hi Tango! I have made several pepper/salt mills. The longest was an 18" mill.
This one was made from red oak. I found I had to drill from each end to keep the holes, at the ends, to be perfectly centered.

Yes, Nick Engler has recommended a spade bit with a low angle filled on the bit. I'm pretty sure someone can find reference to that post on the Forum or in the archives.

I've not been able to locate a spade bit of 1 1/16" and not wanting to search a lot or to file/grind down a larger one, I stuck with the forstner.

To answer another question posted here - Yes!, a 1 1/16" bore is needed to fit the hardware of most mills.

I have sharpened my forstner bit a couple of times. After sharpening, the ribbons of wood flow better from the hole. Yes, the wood heats, but not so much if I stop often and clear the chips.

[jimthej]

I have sharpened my forstner bit a couple of times. After sharpening, the ribbons of wood flow better from the hole. Yes, the wood heats, but not so much if I stop often and clear the chips.

OK, how do you sharpen a forstner bit?

[tango]

Well I looked back and they don't offer the bit in 1 1/16. I have never made a pepper mill, Is the bit size critical or could you use 1 1/8?

The only place I've been able to find 1 1/16" bits and the 1 5/8" bits that are needed are on off shoot sites on the internet. Now I usually look for the better brands such as Freud, but when you're hunting for unusual species sometimes you have to venture off the beaten path .

The two bits I've been using are dull... there's no arguing that since they're burning through the wood instead of cutting. I, like so many others, am not sure how to sharpen a forstner bit. I've tried sharpening them by drilling out more pepper mill blanks but believe it or not that doesn't work .

I have found some 1 1/16" and 1 5/8" spade and auger bits but they're not on big name sites nor are they familiar names (at least not familiar to me). Ebay is another place I've found some of these bits, but again I'm not sure of the quality.

I think for now I'm going to try an auger bit since that seems like a worthy use of such a tool. I'm boring something out so why not use an auger right ?

The spade bit sounds like a good idea but the strain on the shaft seems like it might be too much.

I'll keep everyone posted on what I find. I just have to wait for PSI to get in more Barracuda 2 chucks and I'll be on my way!

Tango