DeWalt power point drills

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I was having a problem centering my drill bits in a center punched workpiece and several people suggested the DeWalt power point bits.

I bought a set and found that they do, indeed, follow the center punch dimple accurately.

But…when the bit comes out the far side, it pulls the entire bit all the way up to the drill chuck before I can stop it. I have tried slow and fast feed rates and slow and fast drill speeds. Nothing seems to stop the pulling. It doesn.t matter if it is wood or aluminum, thick or thin, small diameter or large.

Does anyone have a solution for this?

BB

2

Bruce,

The only thing that comes to mind is to back off on the pressure behind the drill. If drilling vertically, let the weight of the drill finish the hole through the material. I hope this helps.

Don Z.

3

Clamp your workpeice, Use a smaller bit to start then a larger one.

4

You did not mention the hole diameter you are drilling and if you are using a hand drill. If it is above 1/4", it could be catching on a burr on the back side of the hole. I have seen this drilling using a twist drill as apposed to a wood bit. The burr catches on the spiral part of the drill bit and either pulls the bit forward or gives the drill a good twist in my hand as it is stopping. I do not have a good answer for the twist drill.

For a wood bit, drill until the point just comes through the wood, then finish the hole from the back side. This will produce a clean hole with little splintering - particularly when drilling plywood.

5

Another solution is to clamp a piece of scrap wood on the bottom where the drill bit comes out. For ALL drilling this is a good thing to do.

Another solution is to use forsner bits, but they also like a backing piece and are expensive.

Another solution is to use a drill press with a stop on it, but this does not work on an assembled piece.

The backing piece is the solution in most cases.

6

Amen to clamping a backing piece. 40+ years as a carpenter/cabinetmaker taught me this - good luck - Lou