Pin Block Drilling Speed/Dale

[Carl Meyer]

Refrigerated air is what I use. I think it was in Portland I bought a vortex
cooler from Webb Phillips.  It cools air as much as 40 degrees below shop
air.  I've drilled a complete block in the piano at about 1200 rpm and could
still put my hand on the drill after it coasted to a stop.  I direct the
cold air on one side of the bit and use a vacuum wand on the opposite side
that draws the air around the bit and also picks up the chips.  I had the
thing kicking around a long time before I ever used it.  I also use it to
make pinblock plugs.  I think Pianotech sells them now for a lot more money.

Regards



----- Original Message -----
From: "Joseph Garrett" <joegarrett@earthlink.net>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Saturday, January 26, 2002 6:25 PM
Subject: Pin Block Drilling Speed/Dale


> Dale et al,
> 1200 to 1600 RPM! Whoa! I drill at the slowest speed on my radial drill
> press, which is 750rpm. That speed is about 200rpm faster than is
> recommended, but I compensate by cooling the bit with air. At 1200 to
> 1600rpm you'd need refrigerated air to keep the bit cool enough to have a
> consistant sized bit/hole. The smoke must really boil. <G>
> When drilling Hard Woods, such as Maple or Beech, and especially when it's
> Laminated, you need to drop the drill speed. This is gleaned from several
> Woodworking tomes and also other techs recommendations. Well, that's MO
> FWIW.
> Regards,
> Joe Garrett, RPT,. (Oregon)
>