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Can I chuck a bullnose router bit in a drill press? No major stressors. 1/4" hole in softwood.

Thanks in advance

Steve

If you can drill a small pilot hole it would help, as there's no cutting speed at the center of the bit as the diameter is zero.
That said , if it's a shallow hole or you back the cutter out frequently I'd bet you'd get away with it.

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Jim Watts
http://jameswattsguitars.com

Like Jim suggests, a pilot hole, and clamp the board down to the DP table, just to be safe.

Alex

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"Indecision is the key to flexibility" .... Bumper sticker

Drilling with router bits? Plunge routers do it all the time, and without a pilot hole. Regular routers can also do plunge cuts if small bits and a firm grip is used, by placing one edge of the base on the work and slowly tilting the router into the rout (some experience necessary).

Drill presses don't have the RPM's of the typical router, so a bit that has an angled flute may give a better result. The "twist" in a drill bit improves the shearing action of the cutter.

I agree with Clay. Also, owing to the relatively slow speed of the drill press the resulting hole
probably wouldn't be any cleaner than a brad point drill bit, if that's what you're after. You could
try it and see though, it won't do any harm.
Ken

Why not just use a Forstner bit? I mean, other than the reason that you don't have one handy and have a router bit lying on your workbench.

I've created depressions for control knobs in this manner several times. As was said above though, drill press rpms aren't high enough for router bits, so the holes aren't nearly as clean. It's not the ideal way to do things, but it does work.

I do it all the time Steve.

Bob

Not the best for centering accuracy but it will work -- peck drill to clear the chips. Can I ask why this is your tool of choice?

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Ken Cierp

http://www.kennethmichaelguitars.com/

Hey Ken, I want to use a bullnose bit to create a rounded depression.

Actually, probably the opposite of a bullnose bit, but you know what I mean

Thanks

Steve

Cove bit?

Sent from my MotoG3 using Tapatalk

Yep. Thanks Charlton.

Why not - a cutting edge is, well, a cutting edge. If it is employed in a less than optimal manner, such as using a router bit on a drill press, make sure it is sharp, take your time and test on some scrap. I'll chuck just about anything in a drill press if it will cut the shape I want and won't throw the chuck out of balance.

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

Necessity is the mother of invention as they say and if I had to do this I would
first drill a hole short of final depth with a forstner, then follow with the cove/fluting bit,
stock clamped to avoid vibration and get best surface finish.
Ken

yep .. have done like Roger a few times Steve ... cove or bowl cutting bit in the drill press .... clamp the work, go slow, works like a charm

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Tony Karol
www.karol-guitars.com
"let my passion .. fulfill yours"

The router bit will probably do fine for what you want. A rosette cutter could also work, and one with insert knives would allow you to grind a custom profile.
http://www.mlcswoodworking.com/shopsite ... osette.htm