Finished the second pipe with the Brad's bits. Man, I'm sold on this method, and these bits are fantastic! Thanks, Brad!
I had a couple of issues on this pipe that will keep it in my own rotation. All is not lost however--I've been wanting something like this, and I learned a great deal. I'm starting to get the feel for this method, and really loving it! Here are some shots:
![Image](http://sethilepipes.com/etude32_rt2.jpg)
![Image](http://sethilepipes.com/etude32_lft2.jpg)
![Image](http://sethilepipes.com/etude32_lft_tilt.jpg)
![Image](http://sethilepipes.com/Etude32_bot_left.jpg)
![Image](http://sethilepipes.com/etude32_rt.jpg)
My main problem this time was after drilling the mortise I missed aligned the drill when I started the air hole. It's way too high in the mortise. I'm having a heck of a time lining that up. I can't really see, and had thought I could do it by feel while aligning the block between the tail stock and drill. WRONG! What I thought was the center of the mortise (marked with the point from the brad point drill used to drill it) was actually the top corner of it!
![Shocked :shock:](./images/smilies/icon_eek.gif)
I also managed to sand into the delrin on the half saddle
![Crying or Very sad :cry:](./images/smilies/icon_cry.gif)
I'm not happy with the way I'm drawing the lines on the shaped stummel in preparation for drilling. I'd be very interested in any methods you all are using for keeping the lines straight and the angles correct. I've been using a combination of doing it by hand, and using something flexible like stiff card stock to act as a straight edge that will conform to the shape while still acting as a guide to produce a more or less straight line. How are you folks doing that?
This time I drilled the chamber in three steps using a 5/16" brad point drill first and stopping an 1/8" or so short of the bottom. Then I used the 11/16" bit from Brad (his original shape), then followed that up with the 3/4" bit that I've modified the shape of slightly. Perfect! Felt much better this time.
OK folks, lots of you have these bits now. Let's see what your making with them!