I am going to be building a new octagon gazebo using 8″x 8″ S4S cedar posts. My client wants the wall sconces for lighting, outlets and switching all located within the posts. What is the best way to bore a 1″ hole lengthwise through the post? I’ll have to go for at least 48″ ± to switch height. Thanks.
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Replies
I have bored a few deep holes like you discribe using a bit called a "ship auger".
It is an auger type bit, ~ 18" long with full flutes that help keep the bit running straight in the bore hole. Extensions available in 18" lengths - beefy, 7/16" diameter. Bits and extensions have triangular flats milled into ends for good chuck grip. Extensions have same triangular shape with big reliefs for the set screws. Bits and extensions made by a company named Champion - don't know if they are still available. Drill motor was a 1/2" Makita. I would google ship augers and see where it goes.
I built a Rube Goldberg type guide to hold the drill motor, and a few homegrown wooden, V blocks to support the bit / extension in mid span. Posts were bored laying horizonally. And in true RG fashion, the drill locked in the "on" position ( was attended tho ) and we fed the posts to the bit via a 2x lumber fence system.
Biggest problem we had was clearing chips after the bit was 18"+ into the wood. Cured that problem by advancing the hole by about 6", then drill into reverse for a second to back the feed screw out then back into forward and withdrawing the bit with the chips. Not fast but effective.
Our holes wandered a bit in 4', about 1/2" wander was the worst - they were fine for our purposes.
Good luck!
Jim
Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.
A ship auger bit is one answer.
Another is to use an optical illusion to get your 8X8 posts. Start with 6X6's, and build them up on three sides using same-species wood.
Surely the 6X6's are strong enough in the vertical configuration, and the build-up boxing allows you a wire chase.
Politics is the antithesis of problem solving.
brookhillBob
I use ships augers all the time, You can also use Milwaukee's self feeding bits to do the job, hardwoods will make working with ship augers extremely hard. So much of the time I use the self feeding bit rather than the ship auger.. Milwaukee also sells extensions that are about 24 inches long.. add them together and you can drill right thru a 8 foot post.
One final way is to take a groove cutter and cut a channel in the timber.. then glue a plate over the groove you just made.. done properly the whole thing just about disappears.