Falconwood Pinblock Problems

[Horace Greeley]

At 06:43 AM 12/20/95 -0700, you wrote:
>Although I now use maple pinblocks, for years I used
>falconwood and rarely had a problem with it.  The key, as stated
>in other messages, is to be very consistent.
>
>Falconwood is unforgiving material.  I always drilled using a
>bit .010 under the pin size.  I tried for a drill speed of around
>750 RPM and kept the feed rate to a speed where the chips
>would just clear the bit as I was drilling. We used a drill bit with
>special fluting (sharpened, polished, and steeper which has a special
>name that I have forgotten). It ejected the chips faster than standard
>high speed drill bits, allowing us a faster feed rate.
>The feed rate is critical and again consistency is essential.
>It would be ideal to use an automatic feed drill press with an adjustable
>feed rate. We used a stream of compressed air to cool the bit which
>also helps keep chips clear of the work.
>
>If used carefully falconwood is great, but it never felt quite as good as
>maple.  It is nice to have a choice again.
>
>Scott E. Thile, RPT
>Piano-Instrument Technician
>Department of Music,Murray State University
>------------------------------------------------------------------
>P.O. Box 9, Murray, KY 42071, Ph:  502-762-4396
>Email:  sethile@msumusik.mursuky.edu
>
>
Scott, et al,

The kind of drill bit to which you refer used to be called "high helix",
there may be other terms...

The polish and extra sharpening may be done by a competent machinist; try to
find a tool and die person, most campus physics or maintenance shops have at
least one such person.

My source used to be Do-All.

Best,

Horace Greeley, RPT
Colburn School of Performing Arts>