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Woodworking 101
shmokes:
I have a few questions about woodworking that I hope someone here with experience will answer for me.
1- How do you countersink for carriage bolts so they don't show through at the top? I've googled and searched the forums and it seems that every thread takes for granted that everyone already knows how to countersink. Apparently I should, but...I digress. I figured it was simply drilling a hole somewhat smaller than the screw, but then I was reading about the square part of a carriage bolt lodging itself in, etc., etc. and I figured I'd better make sure that I'm getting it right.
2- How do you start a cut in the middle of a piece of wood, for example to cut out the square to mount a coindoor? How about if you don't want to destroy the piece you are cutting out, if you were going to put hinges on it and make it an access door, for instance?
Thanks. I'm sure I have more questions, but none pop immediately to mind.
p.s. Here are my tools (though, most of them I just got -- total woodworking newbie): Fixed Base and Plunge Router, 7 1/2" circular saw, Drill, Zipsaw, Jigsaw, Sander. That's about it for the power tools. I've got a 35 piece router-bit set of the sort that you pick up for $50-$70 on ebay so I've got a pretty good selection there. I also have a very decent set of drill bits, probably about 80 pieces with some hole saws and spade bits and a counter sink little thingamajig that I can clamp down on a drill bit.
IG-88:
For #1 I would use a wood "spade bit"(i think thats what they are called) thats a little bigger than the diameter of the carriage bolt head and drill another hole on top of the first hole you drilled but only half way through. That way the bolt head sits below the surface. A good tightening will sink the square part into the wood securing it.
#2 This ones tricky. Pull the saftey sheild up and away from the blade of the circular saw with your thumb, holding it open, squeeze the trigger with the other hand so that the blade starts, then lower it into the wood right along the line. I wouldn't recommend it for a newbie tho, it can kick! Just have a good grip. Maybe try drilling a series of 1/16" holes along the line just enough so that you can get your jigsaw blade in there?!
Valence:
For Number 1 what I do, is find a drill bit the size of the head of the bolt and then drill it backwards ( The drill rotating the opposite way) Free hand countersink drilling is very difficult. Drill press is the way to go but you don't have one. When you try to drill the countersink with the drill rotating normal a couple of things can happen. It will tear the wood and then you won't get a clean cut or it can grab and go all the way through really quickly. Drill the hole with the drill bit that you would use for the cariage bolts and use it as a guide for the countersink. When you do the countersink, make sure you are square with the wood.( the drill bit is perpendicular to the wood) Then use a little pressure. If you are not square, it can walk. (The drill bit not staying in the hole) And if you put to much pressure it will go in to far. Use tape to mark on the drill bit the depth you want to go.
#2. I half agree with dolphinwaxer. Its more than tricky. The way he tells you to do it is a way but since you don't have any experiance, the cuts are not going to come out straight at all. You also may end up cutting off your fingers. Not fun pushing Mame buttons with a stump ;)
I would just concentrate on getting straight cuts in the wood (really hard with a jig saw) Use a straight edge or guide. Then if you cut the original hole straight, it will be easy to cut another piece of wood to the size of the hole.
Actually I just read that you had a zipsaw. Is this like a Rotozip? With a rotozip(zipsaw?) it is actually easy to cut a square hole and keep the middle. I would use a guide still to ensure that its straight.
Remember to mesure twice and cut once words to live by.
AND WATCH YOUR FINGERS
Wienerdog:
--- Quote from: shmokes on April 03, 2003, 09:09:04 pm ---1- How do you countersink for carriage bolts so they don't show through at the top? I've googled and searched the forums and it seems that every thread takes for granted that everyone already knows how to countersink. Apparently I should, but...I digress. I figured it was simply drilling a hole somewhat smaller than the screw, but then I was reading about the square part of a carriage bolt lodging itself in, etc., etc. and I figured I'd better make sure that I'm getting it right.
--- End quote ---
How do you want this to look? When you tighten the carrage bolt, the square part will bite into the wood. Do you want the smooth head to be below the surface of the wood? If you do, the previous suggestion would work, but you have to be careful of the tips on the edges of your spade bits. Those tips will cut deeper into the wood than the actual part of the blade that is cutting your recess. If you have enough thickness on the wood, this will be fine. However, if you are using 5/8" mdf, then this might not be the best choice. By cutting the recess, you are weakening the remaining wood. If you are using ply, then you are probably safe. The better bit is probably a forstner bit, if you are going to countersink. Oh, if you have a small enough hole saw, you can cut about 1/4" deep with the smallest hole saw bit, and then carve away the countersink with a utility knife. Like I said, just be careful if you are doing this to MDF.
AX:
what I do to counter sink is this. I use the spade bit first. it leaves a slightly pointed hole in the wood. then I use this hole as a guid and drill it out the rest of the way. As far as a drill press yeah it's gonna be better but this isn't rocket science.