how to drill long pilot holes

[danlightbulb]

This might be a stupid question, but i'll ask anyway.

Thin drill bits which I use for pilot holes are always really short. So if I wanted to use, say, a 3" no 8 screw, its impossible to pilot hole it all the way.

I am finding that even with my 18V 2 speed drill the screw jams 2 thirds in because the pilot hole isn't long enough.

 

[big-all]

are you on no1 [slow speed]!!!

no8 should be a4mm pilot if its hardwood 3.5mm bit if its softwood

if its wet timber then pilot holes will do no more than half close up with the wood fibres expanding anyway

try waxing the threads with wax ot soap

 

[^woody^]

Change your screws to one of the many self-cutting thread varieties

Soap or wax the screw

Screw it in, if it stops unscrew it and then screw it back in fast

 

[Jasonb]

Buy long or extra long series drill bits, just be careful with them You should be able to get say a 3mm bit with 100mm flute length easy enough.


Jason