Drilling 45mm Hole in Railway Sleepers

[colin H]

Hello Folks ,

I have some raised borders in my garden made from railway sleepers .

I want to put some flush fitting lights in the top , so need to drill a hole around 45 mm diameter x 30mm deep . I notice the flat type wood drills dont go that big - so just wondering whats the best bit , and method to do the job .

I do have a saw drill which I used for the same lights in my decking (obviousely I`m not drilling right through on the sleepers) . Could I use this and then go down with a smaller flat drill ? or is there a better method ?

 

[Burnerman]

You can use a hole saw, removing it frequently and allowing the dust to clear and then get in with a chisel to break out the remaining timber.
A flat bit doesn't want a pilot hole that the hole saw will leave - it will tend to wander.
A forstner bit is another option, but I would have thought a 45mm flat bit would be available if you hunted around!
John
Edit.....ukdrills.com do a 45mm forstner bit for £3.12....excellent firm too
J

 

[ladylola]

I'd second the forstner bit , just make sure you hold it dead square when you start.
Another option is a router, again it needs a little care but I've done that sort of thing for lights in the past.

 

[colin H]

Thanks , folks - Forstner bit it is then !

 

[foxhole]

You can get an an adjustable bit .

http://www.wickes.co.uk/adjustable-wood-drill-bit/invt/168170/

 

[Harbourwoodwork]

Thanks , folks - Forstner bit it is then !

You'll need drill with a bit of grunt at least 750watts with 1000 rpm is good don't rip your arm's off

 

[Norcon]

Axminster sell the big saw tooth wood coring bits.
http://www.axminster.co.uk/fisch-multi-spur-sawtooth-bit--imperial-prod889239/

Milwaukee also do self feeder sets..
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/MILWAUKEE-SelfFeed-Drill-Bit-Set-2VFZ7?Pid=search

The "Switchblade" sets feature replaceable blade sets.

 

[nickdsjnk]

If you need to drill a few, you could use a holesaw to make suitably sized template and then use a straight cutter on a router to make each hole. If you are using a template bush on the router (better than using bearing guided router bits) remember to use a suitably oversized holesaw for making the template.

 

[Harbourwoodwork]

If you need to drill a few, you could use a holesaw to make suitably sized template and then use a straight cutter on a router to make each hole. If you are using a template bush on the router (better than using bearing guided router bits) remember to use a suitably oversized holesaw for making the template.

thats a long way through, with a router bed on a uneven surface through some spiney old timber I reckon your router would throw a wobbly in the hole
I dont think I'd like to be holding onto it.