Replies

1. 
   jerseyjeff | Jul 12, 2005 04:31am | #1

   I found that the pilot tip dewalt bits tend to bind a bit in ipe and leave an ugly tearout....  have you thought about a SHARP self feeding auger bit (that you can resharpen halfway through the job)

    

1. 
   joewood | Jul 12, 2005 04:59am | #2

   you know, I've never tried an auger bit in ipe, I'd think the self feeding action would bind up in that hard wood.

    

   I don't care about tearout, these will be deck railing posts and the tearout will be up against the facia.

   have you ever tried a 1/2" auger in ipe ?

2. 
   davidmeiland | Jul 12, 2005 05:53am | #3

   I'd definitely go with a carbide-tipped brad point. A self-feeding auger would be scary, especially on a drill press, although you could loosen the belt to act as a clutch.

1. 
   TJK1141 | Jul 12, 2005 08:19am | #4

   I agree with davidmeiland - the brad-point carbide bits are best and will leave the cleanest holes.Just don't drop them or let the tips hit the drill press table. You will cry ($$$).

3. 
   Bender | Jul 12, 2005 02:03pm | #5

   I used the Milwaukee forstner-like bits with the screw feed replaced by holesaw (1/4 in) pilots to let me control the feed rate.  Put it in a drillpress, backerboard, sharpen often, shopvac hose taped nearby, clean holes in and out.  Worked for me on about 210 1 3/8 holes through 4x4 ipe posts.

   Fitter

4. 
   WorkshopJon | Jul 12, 2005 04:41pm | #6

   Joe,

   56 holes with a drill press?

   A plain old standard drill should work fine.  A cobalt should last you for at least 5000 holes before it needs a re-sharpening, and they're not that expensive.

   WSJ

5. 
   mike4244 | Jul 12, 2005 07:43pm | #7

   I have drilled holes thru ipe for bolts with an ordinary spade bit. No problems, easy to file a new edge on these bits when the going gets slow. If I recall, I got about 10 holes before I refiled the bit.

   mike