Tapered Drill Bit?
Posted: Sat Dec 20, 2008 12:43 pm
With only 5 pipes under my belt, I'm still committed to using molded stems because I want to concentrate most of my efforts on the tools & techniques for shaping the briar. That said, I plan to re-work the stems for a better draw using a 5/32" (4mm) drill bit.
My question is about tapered bits. Exactly what do they look like?
I spent the first 15 years of my working life as a machinist/tool maker, so I've ground hundreds of tools and I'm sure I can make one, but I'm not sure what you mean when you speak of a tapered bit. Is it tapered from a point out to the full diameter over a length of 1/2" or 3"? Is it even tapered all the way to a point at all? I suppose if you have a pilot hole (as my molded stems do) then a pointed drill would work, but it wouldn't work well blind drilling holes. Rotating tools tend not to cut well at their center anyway because the surface speed is essentially zero.
Anybody have a pic?
My question is about tapered bits. Exactly what do they look like?
I spent the first 15 years of my working life as a machinist/tool maker, so I've ground hundreds of tools and I'm sure I can make one, but I'm not sure what you mean when you speak of a tapered bit. Is it tapered from a point out to the full diameter over a length of 1/2" or 3"? Is it even tapered all the way to a point at all? I suppose if you have a pilot hole (as my molded stems do) then a pointed drill would work, but it wouldn't work well blind drilling holes. Rotating tools tend not to cut well at their center anyway because the surface speed is essentially zero.
Anybody have a pic?