Frank Fusco
Member
- Messages
- 12,791
- Location
- Mountain Home, Arkansas
I got myself into a bit of a bind with a lamp project I am working on. (pics later, I have a reason to hold back for now)
The upright part is 14" tall. My longest 3/8" bit is 10". I hand held and eyeball sighted for the first part feeling pretty good about myself going (I thought) right down the center. Then I attacked from the other end, planning (hoping ) the two would meet dead-on. No way, not even close. Now I know from all my foolings around with old style guns that drills, especially twist bits, like I was using, like to follow grain instead of going straight. That's what happened here.
So, I ended up buying a set of 14" spade bit. (much better for this type work, BTW) I then attacked the hole from the deep end and 'voila' drilled all the way through.
Problem solved. Not.
This bit found the 4" deep hole, flexed and continued on through.
Now I have a curved hole, first goes one way then goes the other.
Question is: how do I shove a rigid lamp rod through a curved hole?
Right now, I'm thinking I won't. I might just use short sections at both ends and Gorilla glue them in place. But other suggestions are welcome.
BTW, for further lamps, I plan to keep length (height) to drill length available and drill before turning then use end holes for my centers. This might not be a 100% method but sure should be better.
The upright part is 14" tall. My longest 3/8" bit is 10". I hand held and eyeball sighted for the first part feeling pretty good about myself going (I thought) right down the center. Then I attacked from the other end, planning (hoping ) the two would meet dead-on. No way, not even close. Now I know from all my foolings around with old style guns that drills, especially twist bits, like I was using, like to follow grain instead of going straight. That's what happened here.
So, I ended up buying a set of 14" spade bit. (much better for this type work, BTW) I then attacked the hole from the deep end and 'voila' drilled all the way through.
Problem solved. Not.
This bit found the 4" deep hole, flexed and continued on through.
Now I have a curved hole, first goes one way then goes the other.
Question is: how do I shove a rigid lamp rod through a curved hole?
Right now, I'm thinking I won't. I might just use short sections at both ends and Gorilla glue them in place. But other suggestions are welcome.
BTW, for further lamps, I plan to keep length (height) to drill length available and drill before turning then use end holes for my centers. This might not be a 100% method but sure should be better.