Refrigerated air is what I use. I think it was in Portland I bought a vortex cooler from Webb Phillips. It cools air as much as 40 degrees below shop air. I've drilled a complete block in the piano at about 1200 rpm and could still put my hand on the drill after it coasted to a stop. I direct the cold air on one side of the bit and use a vacuum wand on the opposite side that draws the air around the bit and also picks up the chips. I had the thing kicking around a long time before I ever used it. I also use it to make pinblock plugs. I think Pianotech sells them now for a lot more money. Regards ----- Original Message ----- From: "Joseph Garrett" <joegarrett@earthlink.net> To: <pianotech@ptg.org> Sent: Saturday, January 26, 2002 6:25 PM Subject: Pin Block Drilling Speed/Dale > Dale et al, > 1200 to 1600 RPM! Whoa! I drill at the slowest speed on my radial drill > press, which is 750rpm. That speed is about 200rpm faster than is > recommended, but I compensate by cooling the bit with air. At 1200 to > 1600rpm you'd need refrigerated air to keep the bit cool enough to have a > consistant sized bit/hole. The smoke must really boil. <G> > When drilling Hard Woods, such as Maple or Beech, and especially when it's > Laminated, you need to drop the drill speed. This is gleaned from several > Woodworking tomes and also other techs recommendations. Well, that's MO > FWIW. > Regards, > Joe Garrett, RPT,. (Oregon) >
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