Drilling Hole Down the Middle of a Four Foot Long 6X6

[Sodo]

I'm all for research and/or banging your head against the wall, in search of "tricks". Keeps you off the street.

But,,,,,

I'm assuming this post is fully out in the weather or you wouldn't even think about PT rotting. But are you aware of how long modern pressure-treated wood lasts even outside? You can do the "three 2x6 method" and just screw it together, and unscrew any board that rots. Also by then "P/T" may be considered "rustic". I hate PT lumber, and I wonder what our society will do with all that poison wood in the landfills,,,,, Agreed its a good material for the building.

If I was you,,,, rather than sign up to change a board at 95 years old I'd go upstairs and sire the help now. Teach the kids skills to change it on May11, 2045 and you're good to go! :thumbsup:

 

[MossRoad]

My dad showed me how he did it....

Drill in from the top with a 18" long 1/2" drill bit, but angle it so it comes out one side of the post. Then drill your second hole from where the drill bit came out at an angle down across the post, then back in the other direction, then back again, etc... zig zagging down the post. For a 4' post, you'd have three holes. Run the wire down and out, back in and out, back in and out, etc... down the post. Fill the holes with wood putty. Sand and stain. Or save the sawdust, mix with wood glue and plug it with that.

 

[MossRoad]

My dad showed me how he did it....

Drill in from the top with a 18" long 1/2" drill bit, but angle it so it comes out one side of the post. Then drill your second hole from where the drill bit came out at an angle down across the post, then back in the other direction, then back again, etc... zig zagging down the post. For a 4' post, you'd have three holes. Run the wire down and out, back in and out, back in and out, etc... down the post. Fill the holes with wood putty. Sand and stain. Or save the sawdust, mix with wood glue and plug it with that.

Kinda like this... works great. :thumbsup:

 

[STx]

I used to do a fair amount of kind of high end low voltage lighting on multimillion dollar properties. I would hide wire in posts by drilling holes across them at a 45* angle that met at the edges, weave the wire through it and then cover it up with wood filler and stain to match.

I can try to draw a picture if you can't visualize it from my description.

EDIT - MossRoad beat me too it, exactly what he said.

 

[MossRoad]

I used to do a fair amount of kind of high end low voltage lighting on multimillion dollar properties. I would hide wire in posts by drilling holes across them at a 45* angle that met at the edges, weave the wire through it and then cover it up with wood filler and stain to match.

I can try to draw a picture if you can't visualize it from my description.

EDIT - MossRoad beat me too it, exactly what he said.

I am surprised that there's not too many discussions or pictures of that out there on the ol' inter-web thingy. I searched and only found one, so I drew it up simple.

 

[STx]

It's an industry trade secret. I'll probably get drummed out of the union for sharing it...

 

[MossRoad]

It's an industry trade secret. I'll probably get drummed out of the union for sharing it...

I slapped myself when my dad showed me that.... one of those things I should have figured out myself. :confused3:

 

[Sodo]

thats a great method!

 

[MinnesotaEric]

I need a 1/2" or so hole drilled down the middle of a not installed pressure treated 6x6.

I tried drilling a perfect 1/4" hole through a hard wood chunk of 4x4, then screwing this onto the properly cut off end of the 6x6 and using it as a guide for a two foot long continuous 1/4" bit. Then a long flexible 1/4" bit, watching to make sure the smaller rod was centered in the hole.

Came out on the side, just close to the end!

I suspect the flexible drill bit wandered according to grain or whatever.

I need a pilot hole so I can then use a hole hawg and put a three inch hole down the middle.

My next idea is to make a long half inch bit using drill rod, and monitor it's angle closely.

Any thoughts?

My Panasonic cordless impact driver and a Bosch 1/2" spade bit at an angle or with extensions as needed. At halfway point, start at the other end and let things meet in the middle.

Bosch DareDevil DLSB1005 1/2 by 16-Inch Spade Bit - - Amazon.com

Edit: everybody else beat me to it.

What they said.

 

[Kenneth in Texas]

Simplest is to saw the 6X6 in half length wise, dado out the core, then glue the two halves back together with resorcinol or other outdoor glue

Great advice, and probably easiest, also.

this ^