canislatrans54
New member
Hey all! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif
Just out of sheer curiousity, I'm wondering what type of drill bit you guys use to drill the mounting hole for toneboards in your horns & antlers? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif
As some may know, I've been tinkering this summer making calls from cow horn. And finally, yesterday, I got the nerve up to work on some antler. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif
I had been using a variety of step drill [unibit] bits. The problem was that the one I have that goes to 5/8" only has a 3/16" shoulder. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif
So I have been trying different types of bits to drill deeper...
Wood auger bits--only tried that once! I don't have a drill press or a vise, & almost lost a few fingers when it dug in. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
Standard high-speed bits--too prone to not cleaning/grabbing, and cracking the horn. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif
Wood "paddle" bits-- this seemed to work the best, but using a 5/8" after using the step bit, it tends to "wallow" out the hole bigger than 5/8". /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif
Yesterday I got a wild hair & decided to drill a horn and an antler base (both for howlers), using only the paddle bit...but instead of 5/8" I used 9/16".
Both drillings may have been a fluke, but I found it drilled straight (no wobble), and was totally self cleaning. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif
It also took less time than how I had been doing it. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
And the holes were just perfect to friction-fit the 'boards, enough so that I could use the reed blocks that come with the KO boards, instead of using cork! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
{I did actually glue the boards in, but not the blocks.} /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
Again, I'm just wondering what bits work best for you? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif
P.S.: Sorry, no pics! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif
The antler howler turned out just as I wanted, with a 5"L x 1" diameter, very slightly curved body that fits the hand nicely. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif
The 'board end curves down, & when the call is held level in the hand, the 'board is at a natural 45 degree angle in the mouth. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif
Unfortunately, I messed up the "decoration/lanyard attactment" on the horn & had to put it in the "ooops!" pile. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif
Just out of sheer curiousity, I'm wondering what type of drill bit you guys use to drill the mounting hole for toneboards in your horns & antlers? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif
As some may know, I've been tinkering this summer making calls from cow horn. And finally, yesterday, I got the nerve up to work on some antler. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif
I had been using a variety of step drill [unibit] bits. The problem was that the one I have that goes to 5/8" only has a 3/16" shoulder. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif
So I have been trying different types of bits to drill deeper...
Wood auger bits--only tried that once! I don't have a drill press or a vise, & almost lost a few fingers when it dug in. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
Standard high-speed bits--too prone to not cleaning/grabbing, and cracking the horn. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif
Wood "paddle" bits-- this seemed to work the best, but using a 5/8" after using the step bit, it tends to "wallow" out the hole bigger than 5/8". /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif
Yesterday I got a wild hair & decided to drill a horn and an antler base (both for howlers), using only the paddle bit...but instead of 5/8" I used 9/16".
Both drillings may have been a fluke, but I found it drilled straight (no wobble), and was totally self cleaning. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif
It also took less time than how I had been doing it. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
And the holes were just perfect to friction-fit the 'boards, enough so that I could use the reed blocks that come with the KO boards, instead of using cork! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
{I did actually glue the boards in, but not the blocks.} /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
Again, I'm just wondering what bits work best for you? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif
P.S.: Sorry, no pics! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif
The antler howler turned out just as I wanted, with a 5"L x 1" diameter, very slightly curved body that fits the hand nicely. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif
The 'board end curves down, & when the call is held level in the hand, the 'board is at a natural 45 degree angle in the mouth. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif
Unfortunately, I messed up the "decoration/lanyard attactment" on the horn & had to put it in the "ooops!" pile. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif