Drilling Wood

[suzi1780]

So I am going to Hawaii in less than a month :dance3: and I want to make sure the girls have lots of fun chews/toys while I am gone since they won't be getting outside playtime (they have a flying saucer) I was thinking about ordering a scrap pak from http://petproductsbynature.com/ScrapPaks.html it says some of the wood will be drilled but not all, any advice on drilling wood? I know my boyfriend has a dremel thingie do-hickey, is that what people use? I also have a regular drill but that seems like over kill.

 

[gella]

I think a regular drill would work fine and fast!

 

[Kansas City Chinchillas]

Yes a regular drill bit is recommended.

 

[suzi1780]

Thank you for the info, I will try the regular drill

 

[mistywaterwoman]

I just got a drill press and I LOVE it!!! I get a bunch of whirlies from Sally and it only takes me about 5 minutes to drill through about a 50 peices of wood. I was using a regular drill for a long time, but I kept breaking my cheap drill bits.

 

[amberlin]

I just got a drill press and I LOVE it!!! I get a bunch of whirlies from Sally and it only takes me about 5 minutes to drill through about a 50 peices of wood. I was using a regular drill for a long time, but I kept breaking my cheap drill bits.

Did you get it for the sole purpose of drilling wood for your girls? I thought I was crazy for thinking about getting one but I guess I am not after all lol... those things aren't cheap either...

 

[SunshineChins]

We own a drill press here as well.. I soooo love that power tool! Now.. I just need a router table and I am all set.

 

[mistywaterwoman]

Hey, Katy - yeah, it's just for my girls!! I got it second hand though, from my dad. He bought it for a small job and then never used it, so he let me have it for $50. It's a 5 speed Mini drill press, they are between $80-$100 usually.

 

[BooBoo*TheKiddo*]

I just got a drill press and I LOVE it!!! I get a bunch of whirlies from Sally and it only takes me about 5 minutes to drill through about a 50 peices of wood. I was using a regular drill for a long time, but I kept breaking my cheap drill bits.

That's my problem....I always break the drill bits. lol

 

[Rickman]

To NOT break a drill bit on wood, secure the wood with a clamp or vise, push the drill slowly but steady pressure, and make sure your fingers are NOT in the way! As he flutes get full, pull the drill out to clear them, and re-insert! If you're doing it right, you should see little "twirlies" coming out as you drill! Slow down as you get through, as the bit will "grab" apon full penetration. If you're drilling a large hole, it's best to use a bit 1/2 the size as a pilot hole! Just some tips!!
I honestly can't remember ever breaking a bit on wood!

 

[Riven]

Aren't the scrap packs like $8.00/lb? You can get wood already drilled from people on the board cheaper than that!

ETA: If you clamp every piece down you'll never get anything done... Get a good bit, a good drill I prefer a drill press but again make sure you have the hp to do what you want different woods have different hardness's, and just hold it.

When I used to drill toy parts I'd drill a couple at a time, just hold on tight. If you're breaking bits chances are your drill is not strong enough, or not set properly or you've got the cheapest bits ever made. I've never broken a bit and I drill tons of stuff, from metal, to wood, to plexi and plastics.

 

[Essentia]

I don't usually buy the scrap packs due to the price, but with the July special it comes to $5.30 a lb, including shipping. I can't beat that, which means I get to drill.

 

[suzi1780]

Aren't the scrap packs like $8.00/lb? You can get wood already drilled from people on the board cheaper than that!

ETA: If you clamp every piece down you'll never get anything done... Get a good bit, a good drill I prefer a drill press but again make sure you have the hp to do what you want different woods have different hardness's, and just hold it.

When I used to drill toy parts I'd drill a couple at a time, just hold on tight. If you're breaking bits chances are your drill is not strong enough, or not set properly or you've got the cheapest bits ever made. I've never broken a bit and I drill tons of stuff, from metal, to wood, to plexi and plastics.

They have specials going on, so it was 6.32 per pound including shipping, so a good deal. They said some pieces will be drilled, so I am hoping I get a box that has a lot of drilled pieces

 

[crazychin]

Usually drill bits break when you're not drilling straight, and you're drill is a little crooked. Just make sure it's straight and it shouldnt break, some drills even have a little target on the top to show you if you're drilling straight. Also you could try a shorter drill bit if they're breaking.

 

[Riven]

They have specials going on, so it was 6.32 per pound including shipping, so a good deal. They said some pieces will be drilled, so I am hoping I get a box that has a lot of drilled pieces

I guess I still don't get it, I know that I personally sell wood for $45/flat rate including shipping when I have it available, and I know at times there are people who are lower than that. I advertise that my boxes run 6-7 lbs, but they almost always run over 7, I just grabbed one and weighed it and it was 7 lbs 15 oz. that's almost 8 lbs. And even at this sale price PPBN is offering, it's only less than a quarter cheaper per pound, it's already drilled, and you know it shouldn't be checked or split, plus you're supporting people who are on this forum that help answer questions, post stories and photos and all that.

For PPBN, I've heard lots of stories both ways about them, I've personally never ordered from them so can't say for sure about their service or product.

 

[suzi1780]

I guess I still don't get it, I know that I personally sell wood for $45/flat rate including shipping when I have it available, and I know at times there are people who are lower than that. I advertise that my boxes run 6-7 lbs, but they almost always run over 7, I just grabbed one and weighed it and it was 7 lbs 15 oz. that's almost 8 lbs. And even at this sale price PPBN is offering, it's only less than a quarter cheaper per pound, it's already drilled, and you know it shouldn't be checked or split, plus you're supporting people who are on this forum that help answer questions, post stories and photos and all that.

For PPBN, I've heard lots of stories both ways about them, I've personally never ordered from them so can't say for sure about their service or product.

I do agree about supporting members on the board and I don't want to come across like I don't. I have purchased everything from fleece tubes, liners, ledges, dust, food, cookies, a house, rosehips and buds, a maze, supplements and tons of toys from members on this site and I have always been very happy with my purchases. And much to my boyfriend's dismay, (I often hear, "Is that another box for the chins!?" when the UPS man comes :rofl I will continue to purchase items from members for many years to come I am sure.

I have heard lots good things about the scrap pack and I have been wanting to try some different woods, as I normally only give the girls apple wood. And although having all drilled pieces would be nice, I would also like to try my hand at drilling some, I figure it is always good to try new things

Thank you for letting me know about your wood, that is a good deal you are offering, I will be sure to order from you sometime

 

[Riven]

I don't always carry wood, but I know there are members who do.

I guess I'm just a strong believer in helping those who help you type of deal. I know a lot of people shop elsewhere and such, and that is their choice. I know that when I ran a full store, it sucked, I would literally be online several hours a day, helping people on the forums as well as getting help from others, and it sucks spending so much time helping people, just to have them buy from others who don't even take the time to help be part the community either in a sense of helping with questions or even just sharing photos and stories... Even when I had the store, I'd recommend other suppliers and still do, no one carries everything. I recommended one last night for stuff I carry, because I don't want to take on anymore customers, I just have some who still get supplies from me and that's good enough for me.

 

[alli713]

I'd love to get a drill press! Someday when I get a house I'll get one. As it is, I'm out of room!

I think I've only broken 2 drill bits ever. And I know it was my fault they broke. One time I think it went in at an angle, and the other time I was drilling a hard wood and pressed it too hard when I should have taken the bit out and tried again.

As far as wood goes, I buy my wood from Nicole, besides the cottonwood that I can get myself. The way things go, you never really know the quality of wood from someone who hasn't been around long. (I'm not talking about PPBN here, just wood in general) so I like to stick with people I trust won't give me a box of licheny wood or small pieces.

And like she said, it's nice to support people you know. And she is right when she says that a lot of people spend their time on here trying to help out the newbies, so they are putting in more work than what a lot of people think. )