For drilling pin blocks, I am re-evaluating the drill bit size and procedure that I have been using. The last few blocks I have done were composite blocks multi-lam with 9 mm delignit cap. I am double drilling with 1/4" then an F bit at about 2340 spindle speed, usually yields about 160 in. lbs. for the sample pins that I try in a scrap piece of the block. I would like to get about 180 but I can't get that with the F bit. By the time I get coils just right, chip and tune for a year, the torque is not as high as I would like. I have a block in the works now (already drilled the 1/4" hole) and I am going to get a 6.5. mm bit today and try that on a sample. I got a new drill press after my last one seemed to have too much slop in the quill but the repair people said it was within specs. I just got a table top delta. I am keeping the humidity in the shop now in the low 40's. (The block itself stays in a 35 % rh environment when not being worked on.) What beginning torque do you like to see? How much do you expect it to drop in the initial stages? Bob Hull
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