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Posted

When I am preparing  a turning blank for one of my projects (as I am now) I need to drill multiple 1/8 inch holes in the blank.  These are of various depths and can be as little as 0.15" to as much as 5" in length.  A standard twist drill bit is about 2 3/4 inches in overall length.  By "shorting" how much of the shank I put into the chuck I can drill a hole up to 2" deep (or if I'm feeling luck, a tad more).  For the really deep holes I have some 6 inch long "aircraft" style bits that work.   But a hole that needs to be 2 1/2 or 3 inches deep is a challenge.  I wish I had a 4 inch long 1/8" drill bit.  That would really fit the bill, but I've never seen one in stores; there are standard bits, then the next size up is 6 inch.  

So comes the question, is there a reason I shouldn't/couldn't take a 6 inch long bit and cut 2 inches off the shank?  Bad idea?  Hard to do?  Is it hardened steel?  All I have to cut it with is an hand hack saw (complete with dubious blade).  

The aircraft bits only have flutes for the first 1 1/2", so I am going to do some further looking on the internet in the hopes I can find some 4" (and 6") bits with longer fluted sections.  But I could use the bit tomorrow, hence the post.  

P.S.  It needs to have a round shank.  The quick fit hex shank bits are convenient for a lot of applications, but the ones I have tried have had too much run out.

Posted

I used a metal cutting disk in a Dremel to shorten the bits that come long in the Star mortise chisel and bit sets.  It cut very easily.  Those come long so you can cut them exactly like you want so you can seat it all the way home in the chuck to eliminate the possibility of it getting pushed up into the chisel cutting edges.

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Posted

You could try chucking the longer bit in the lathe and use the hand hacksaw while the bit is turning if you don't have another way. Wouldn't be an expensive mistake if it doesn't work.

  • 3 weeks later...

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