What happens if I run a forstner bit in my plunge router instead of my drill?

[Generic Eric]

Is this a ticket to the ER or what?

[HaRuMaN]

I would say your router spins faster than a typical drill.  Not sure I would try that.

[Generic Eric]

I would say your router spins faster than a typical drill.  Not sure I would try that.

It seemed like a bad idea.

[pbj]

Do it anyway

[Le Chuck]

That bit is designd to cut in one direction, router bits are designed to cut in at least two.  The speed wouldn't be an issue if you anchored the router making it effectively a drill press.  The issue (kickout I imagine) would be any lateral movement you get at those speeds. Like if you thought you were all steady and then sneezed or wobbled and then the next second OMFG FLYING ROUTER OF DEATH!!!!

This, my friend, is a bad bad idea.  Set-up a webcam and leave your games to me.   

[spoot]

Drill = hundreds of RPM
Router = 15,000-30,000 RPM

BAD IDEA!

[Slippyblade]

...OMFG FLYING ROUTER OF DEATH!!!!

This, my friend, is a bad bad idea.  Set-up a webcam and leave your games to me.   

This...  Right here.  Wisdom delivered with a laugh. 

[kahlid74]

Drill = hundreds of RPM
Router = 15,000-30,000 RPM

BAD IDEA!

Spoot has hit the nail square on the head.  When drilling wood on a drill press, 3000RPM is what mine typically suggests.  15,000 to 30,000 RPM for drilling would be a bad bad idea.

If you're cordless drill isn't strong enough go pickup a corded one.  They are super cheap ($50-80) and strong.  heck, you could even get an Drill/Driver for close to that and have a great tool for home uses in the future.

[Generic Eric]

Drill = hundreds of RPM
Router = 15,000-30,000 RPM

BAD IDEA!

Spoot has hit the nail square on the head.  When drilling wood on a drill press, 3000RPM is what mine typically suggests.  15,000 to 30,000 RPM for drilling would be a bad bad idea.

If you're cordless drill isn't strong enough go pickup a corded one.  They are super cheap ($50-80) and strong.  heck, you could even get an Drill/Driver for close to that and have a great tool for home uses in the future.

I would say your router spins faster than a typical drill.  Not sure I would try that.

It seemed like a bad idea.

Thanks for your replies everyone.  I was just curious is all.  My forstner bit, for use in my drill only,  is in the mail.

[Vigo]

  probably would be fine taking the right precautions, such as getting a router speed controller and setting it at a lower speed.


But if you want to cut a straight hole in wood without getting a drill press, the right way is this:

[Unstupid]

probably would be fine taking the right precautions, such as getting a router speed controller and setting it at a lower speed.

Probably not!  Routers don't have the torque at lower speeds that drills do.  Slowing it down below the routers lowest setting will burn the motor our pretty quickly.

[Vigo]

probably would be fine taking the right precautions, such as getting a router speed controller and setting it at a lower speed.

Probably not!  Routers don't have the torque at lower speeds that drills do.  Slowing it down below the routers lowest setting will burn the motor our pretty quickly.

Well, let me just say that I am just entertaining the idea, not advocating it in the least. No matter what, we can file it under, "stupid...don't do". The jig I posted earlier is the right way to drill straight into wood.

As far as burnout goes, I don't think I am thinking THAT slow, i doubt a speed regular would allow it to go that slow anyway. I was imagining 8000 rpms on a bit that is rated max 5000 rpm. The bit would probably be toast quickly, but I don't think it would be a flying death machine, given that if you knocked the router off balance, it would probably chop apart the wood on the side rather than bucking up at you. The forstner bit looks to me a lot like a really dull straight plunge bit. I am not willing to test that theory out, and I treat any bit I throw in my router like it is a death machine waiting to swoop in at me.

[bbmonster]

Everyone is in consensus of that it's a very bad idea, but I'm pretty sure everyone here is curious to know what would happen.

Maybe we could start an internet rumor of the guy whose power drill broke so he decided to put a forstner bit into a router. As he tried to drill with the router, he tilted a little causing the bit to bind to the wood he was drilling for his control panel for the arcade cabinet he was building after being inspired from all the awesome cabinets he saw on BYOAC, causing the wood to spin and break free from the clamps holding the wood to the table. The wood spun incredibly fast and flew off the table decapitating his pet dog about 10ft away.

Then with that rumor started, send it to Myth Busters to debunk it. If they do take it, it'll be proven false, but at least they would try a forstner bit in a router.

[Mordwaffe]

probably would be fine taking the right precautions, such as getting a router speed controller and setting it at a lower speed.


But if you want to cut a straight hole in wood without getting a drill press, the right way is this:

What is that called?

[Generic Eric]

probably would be fine taking the right precautions, such as getting a router speed controller and setting it at a lower speed.


But if you want to cut a straight hole in wood without getting a drill press, the right way is this:

What is that called?

http://www.rockler.com/portable-drill-guide
But its no longer available.

Licensed to Wolfcraft because of low reviews?  *shrug*
http://www.amazon.com/Wolfcraft-4525404-Attachment-4-Inch-8-Inch/dp/B000JCIMEA/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_2?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1400162889&sr=1-2-fkmr0&keywords=rockler+drill+guide+kit

[Vigo]

It's called a drill guide, and many companies make them. The range in quality and price, so the one pictured above is not your only option.

Another option, if you have a drill press, is to make a simple guide jig. Get a piece of wood, drill through it with your drill press with the right size bit, then when drilling wood, line the wood your just drilled over the hole you need to make, clamp that wood over your hole, and drill by hand. It isn't 100%, and the jig won't last too many uses, but it can work in a pinch if you are worried about drilling a crooked hole.

[wp34]

Another option, if you have a drill press, is to make a simple guide jig. Get a piece of wood, drill through it with your drill press with the right size bit, then when drilling wood, line the wood your just drilled over the hole you need to make, clamp that wood over your hole, and drill by hand. It isn't 100%, and the jig won't last too many uses, but it can work in a pinch if you are worried about drilling a crooked hole.

You just solved a problem for me.  Thanks for the tip.   

[Mordwaffe]

Thanks, looks to be a cheaper alternative to a drill press.

I am literally just starting this hobby, and all i have is a corded drill and a circular saw i used to put a privacy fence up. I don't want to break the bank right away. Domestic tranquility and all....

[Vigo]

You just solved a problem for me.  Thanks for the tip.   

Glad I could share! That one I learned from Tom Silva on This Old House. 

Thanks, looks to be a cheaper alternative to a drill press.

I am literally just starting this hobby, and all i have is a corded drill and a circular saw i used to put a privacy fence up. I don't want to break the bank right away. Domestic tranquility and all....

I hear ya! It is amazing the things you can accomplish with limited tools, at the same time, once you aquire a good tool, it is hard to imagine being able to work without it.

[PL1]

probably would be fine taking the right precautions, such as getting a router speed controller and setting it at a lower speed.


But if you want to cut a straight hole in wood without getting a drill press, the right way is this:

What is that called?

http://www.rockler.com/portable-drill-guide
But its no longer available.

Licensed to Wolfcraft because of low reviews?  *shrug*
http://www.amazon.com/Wolfcraft-4525404-Attachment-4-Inch-8-Inch/dp/B000JCIMEA/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_2?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1400162889&sr=1-2-fkmr0&keywords=rockler+drill+guide+kit

I'm quite satisfied wih this one from Sears.   


Scott

[wp34]

That's a great price but I don't like the color as well.   

probably would be fine taking the right precautions, such as getting a router speed controller and setting it at a lower speed.


But if you want to cut a straight hole in wood without getting a drill press, the right way is this:

What is that called?

http://www.rockler.com/portable-drill-guide
But its no longer available.

Licensed to Wolfcraft because of low reviews?  *shrug*
http://www.amazon.com/Wolfcraft-4525404-Attachment-4-Inch-8-Inch/dp/B000JCIMEA/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_2?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1400162889&sr=1-2-fkmr0&keywords=rockler+drill+guide+kit

I'm quite satisfied wih this one from Sears.   


Scott