Replies

1. 
   hdgis1 | Jan 19, 2009 04:42am | #1

   I would imagine that an appropriate sized forstner bit mounted in a drill chuck (in the tailstock) would do the trick. Make sure the center is well marked and use the point of the forstner bit as a makeshift center. Run lathe at low speed and then turn handle on tailstock to advance bit to the desired depth.

   Chris

1. 
   joinerswork | Jan 19, 2009 07:30am | #2

   chris,

   Actually I do it vice-versa: Knock the drive center out of the headstock, and replace with a chuck that has a #2 taper spindle.  The post is advanced into the spinning bit by cranking the tailstock screw with one hand and holding the turning from spinning with the other.

   Ray

1. 
   hdgis1 | Jan 20, 2009 01:02am | #4

   Im no turning expert, but I'm not sure it's safe to do it that way. With the bit in the tailstock, you can be in the same location as the cutting is taking place. That gives you the option of visually inspecting the cutting as you feed the bit in. Otherwise your gonna be to far from bit.Chris

1. 
   joinerswork | Jan 20, 2009 03:00am | #5

   chris,

   Good point, that.  But my tailstock does not give me the option of a chuck on that end.  I've never had a problem so far, but I can turn 7' between centers, so most of my drilling is for other reasons, and is with shorter stock.  Your mileage, as they say, may vary.

   Ray

2. 
   jako17 | Jan 19, 2009 10:03pm | #3

   As Ray says  but mark out the centre carefully then use the dowel hole with a live centre to do the turning.That way your turning remains concentric with the dowel hole.I think that you could probably drill the hole freehand with a forstner and get away with it

   Jako 

3. 
   Napie | Jan 20, 2009 11:34pm | #6

   See FWW #53 July 1985 pages 28-33. Great article on poster beds. Same issue with the original Frank Klausz's workbench.

1. 
   Biscardi | Jan 22, 2009 02:15am | #7

   Afriend told me there was such an article- thanks for the reference.

    

   Frank

4. 
   mike4244 | Jan 22, 2009 05:18am | #8

   Bore the holes by hand using two small squares to sight by.You could elimanate the tenon and use a loose dowel instead.This way if the holes are bored correctly the dowel will line them up easily.I don't see how you can turn a large spindle and feed a forstner bit from the tailstock. It is possible to chuck the forstner and push the workpiece with the tailstock.You will have to devise a way to keep the spindle level and prevent lateral movement.Boring by hand I think would be the easiest.

   mike

5. 
   TomHigby | May 14, 2009 01:07am | #9

   No one has suggested using a drill-press to bore the mortice.. One can clamp a long work -piece off the side of the table.  I am worried about driving a tapered tail-stock center into such a hole-- it might cause a split. Better to turn a plug for the hole.

   Tom