Drilling posts

[TonyF]

Hey folks, I need to drill 8' 4x4 cedar posts up the center to make outdoor lampposts. I have access to the usual equipment, mill, lathe, drill press, drills, but none of these will really help. I thought about making some kid of jig to hold the drill and welding an auger bit on a 4' peice of cold rolled steel and going at it from each end. But 8' foot is a long way to go in a 4x4" area, there is not much room for error Any thoughts?

thanks,

Tony

 

[Barry 1]

Saw them in two,use a router to make a channel for the wire,then glue them back together.Don't know any way to drill an 8' long hole,and keep it straight??

 

[Amelia Farms]

I would saw them in half, route a groove for the wire, then epoxy them back together. Would be better if you could get oversize posts and resaw them after you put them back together.

 

[sixdogs]

Two ideas come to mind.

1. Get an exectricians extra-long drill bit (18"--24"). Then drill a hole in a piece of mirror and put it on the post before you drill. The reflective image will help you in drill alignment and the length of the bit will keep you from wandering. Then get another bit or two and weld rolled steel "extenders" to make the bit longer. Drill half way, reverse post and keep at it until you see daylight.

2. Weld a piece of pipe, exactly square and maybe a foot or two long to a flat piece of steel that has an edge on it for clamping to the post. Then clamp to the post and use the same long drill bit mentioned above. Drill with extenders and should be a piece of cake. Drill half way and reverse post.

I have freehand drilled to the center of an 8 ft post before with a long bit and an electricians bit to start. You could simply drill half from one end and half from the other end.

 

[hosspuller]

Saw them in two,use a router to make a channel for the wire,then glue them back together.Don't know any way to drill an 8' long hole,and keep it straight??

I would use the table saw to cut the groove with a dado blade if a router wasn't to be had. Also flip the half's end to end before glueing. Like a lam beam, this will resist warping.

 

[sweettractors]

Weld or braze a high speed 3/8" drill bit to the end of a piece of 5/16" steel rod 4 ft long. It has to put on perfectly straight. Drill from one end then from the other. If you need a bigger hole than 3/8", follow the same procedure with a larger bit and use the 3/8" hole as your pilot hole. Ken Sweet

 

[Brad_Blazer]

Yagua and their Blowguns

 

[TonyF]

Yagua and their Blowguns

I'll get right on it, ought to be done in ayear or so

 

[TonyF]

I'm going to try it with an auger bit welded to an extension. Let you know how it goes, probably in a week or two.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone.

 

[podagrower]

Auger bit with

 

[Stimw]

Just make your own "Spade" bit with a piece of round rod by flatening the end out with a hammer then sharpen it to the spade bit shape. Hammer working the end will make it harder.
Spade bits are not even hardened! I have sharpened them and I could tell by how easily they grind.
I have had to weld 16 P nails to 3/8" drill bits to make a long bit to drill through floor and insluation then crossmembers when working on refer semi trailers! Worked very well too!

 

[grsthegreat]

Homedepot sells an electrical drill bit attached to a 5 - 6' piece of steel drill shank for about $38.00 as i recall. i have several if them myself, but have never drilled thru that thick of a log. i use them for drilling from either an electrical outlet or a switch box inside the wall and thru the plates.

Klein Tools 9/16 in. x 54 in. Screw Point Flex Drill Bit 53718SEN at The Home Depot

 

[Sodo]

I need to bore some posts too. Glad to find this thread.