How to cut "coaster" holes?

2" Forstner Bit?

Re: How to cut "coaster" holes?

Bruce, a MN Galoot

You could make a template for your router that runs against a guide bushing on the base. Easy Peasy. It might be cleaner than a Forstner bit, too, since it wouldn’t leave a center hole.

Re: 2" Forstner Bit?

William Duffield

That's a good start, but Forstner bits leave a pointed hole in the middle and a trench around the perimeter. There are ways to fix these problems:

- Glue cork into the bottom of the holes.

- Use the Forstner bit to make a template. Use a bearing guided router bit to cut the finished holes. You might even remove most of the wood with a Forstner bit before finishing up with the router.

- Drill through holes with the Forstner bit. Glue a flat board onto the bottom. You might even cut a groove in the base board to hide the edges of the inserted board.

Another idea *LINK*

Yonak

Using a router bit like this (it may not have to be this diameter but the larger it is the cleaner the outside edge) in a router table, make a holder for your piece with a round outside perimeter that fits in a larger diameter guide which clamps to your router table.

Best if two steps : Hog it out in the first step then take out the final 1/16" with your last step. Practice first, as always with a new procedure, and be careful.


Bottom-Cleaning Router Bit

Re: How to cut "coaster" holes?

walta

If you want to get rid of the Forstner bits pilot hole start the hole with one bit with a center point. Then grind off the point and finish the hole.

Be warned the modified bit is now only use full for finishing a hole started by another bit of the same size.

Google "beer flight holders"

Ken Vaughan

You will see paddle style holders drilled with forstner bits. Looked like a bit of sanding and heavy duty finish for the washing/rinsing.

There is also a deeper size carrier used.

Re: How to cut "coaster" holes?

Rick W

Or you could take a piece of 1/4" material, solid or plywood, drill the holes completely through it, and laminate it to a backing board. Then finish the whole thing.

Rick W

Re: How to cut "coaster" holes?

John McGaw

That was what I was going to suggest. Far easier than any of the blind Forstner/router solutions. If you wanted fancy you could use contrasting materials or for that added flair cut a rebate into the back of the main body and bury the bottom inside that to make it invisible. Either way is easier than the Forstner route. in the long run.

Re: Another idea

Barry Irby

Wow, that 1 1/2" bit has a 1/4" shank? Who'da thunk it? I would be far more comfortable with it on a 1/2" shank.

I will spend some time on that page checking and thinking about those bits. I wish I could play with one without having to buy it.

My friend brought me a sample and It's like a tray or low box with a row of holes. I will look more closely but I don't see any machining marks in the holes.

Re: Google "beer flight holders"

Barry Irby

Will do. I guess is did not think of that because my friend gave me a sample. I will look at Google and check to see if he is open to other designs.

Thanks William, Rick and John....

Barry Irby

When William suggested this the light went on for me. Seems like the simplest way, perhaps because I have tooling that would do the job, without having to buy anything new. (Is this thinking Inside the box? Or, what has happened to my lust to buy new stuff?)

Thanks everybody, Thumbs up to Wood Central

Re: Another idea

John in NM

While I've not used that bit itself, I've bought a lot of bits from Magnate, I like them. Probably they'll have that bit in 1/2" shank too. They have a lot of bits, lots of odd ball sizes, stuff you can't find at other big suppliers.

Now I am overwhelmed with possibilities

Re: How to cut "coaster" holes?

Yonak

Because of water condensation, sealing the seam would be a consideration as well as the finish and the glue.

Forstner most of the way, bottom cleaner to finish

Follow up.....

Barry Irby

I told my friend Wood Central had given me good ideas on how to proceed. He said never mind, the place that had been interested had closed because of the Covid. Another victim of the virus.

Re: Bummer!

Re: Follow up.....