Forstner bit extensions

[Hawaiilad]

I glued up a few boards to make some bandsaw boxes and in one area it is better to drill a hole than to try making the tight turn with the bandsaw blade. I am using a forstner bit, but found it's not long enough for the thickness of the boards I glued together. I have looked all over this Island without any luck of finding a extension...for drill bits yes, but not for the thicker shanks. I found several on like, but they seemed to be sized at a bit smaller than what the shank size on my bits are....a no name brand. Where to you folks buy these extensions and do they come in different sizes?

Thanks

[Rolf]

What is the diameter of the shank?

[GladeFade]

Bought mine at Woodcraft
Bill

[wood-n-things]

Here are a few.
Buy Forstner Bit Extension 1 2 x 10 at Woodcraft

http://www.amazon.com/WoodRiver-Fors.../dp/B0035Y5LDO

Scroll down this page a little bit...no pun intended.

Sears: Online department store featuring appliances, tools, fitness equipment and more

That should get you what you want or need.

[dedijerry]

Can you drill from both sides? Can you drill one side as far as it will reach then use a small bit to drill the through hole then drill other side using the pilot hole you just made? you can also find long spade bits I have a 10 or 12" 1 1/4" one I used for the same thing.

[evilbadger]

I got mine at Woodcraft too.

[stephenD]

Not sure if this will work in your situation Larry but I had a problem like that recently. I drilled as far as I could then leaving the bit in the hole, raised the table of my drill press and drilled a bit deeper.

[Hawaiilad]

I think the shaft is 3/8", but I will have to double check it tomorrow. All of the extensions I have seen online (even at Woodcraft) say they are to be used for a certain brand of bit. I know some them have a flat part on the shank...I do not believe the bits I have are like that (round only)...so I am not sure if all extensions can be used on all bits????

Mike, the add for Sears said extensions, but only shows a bit...I stopped into Sears last week and they did not carry an extension.

I tried what you said Stephen, but the box is just to thick.

Jerry that is something I could try if I use a very small drill bit....but again I will have to use an drill bit extension (which I have for small drill bits) and center the hole on the point of the forstner bit. A few of the boxes I am making need to be drilled out like this, so perhaps I will just order one of the extensions that will fit the size of my bits and give it a try. I have plenty of spade bits, but they tear out way to much for what I am doing.

Thank Guys,

[wood-n-things]

Read the box on the sears one it says..."Tubed. Extends any Forstner shank bit an additional 4". 2 set screws and hex key included. "

[evilbadger]

Larry

I will dig mine out and check it out for you. I am pretty sure it would work on just about any forstner bit with the right shank size.

[Wood Dog]

Just a thought, but could you drill before you glue the boards together?

[WoodCarverOH]

Rockler also carries them in various lengths.

[Hawaiilad]

Thanks Mike...I missed that part on Sears. WD, I think that would really be hard to line up since I do not cut the boards to size except for the one end I run through the Jointer...I guess it could be done but and extension will work the best I think.

I looked on line again and found one at Amazon that says it works with all shafts (of different sizes of course). But the one at Sears might work as well. It must be an online item because the store here on the Island do not carry it.

Thanks for all the help and advice

[wood-n-things]

Hope you get it to work out for you.

[Hawaiilad]

Well, not sure I did it the correct way (is there such a thing?), but I got the hole all the way through the 6" block of wood. I bought a very long small bit and center drilled a hole all the way though so I had a starting place on both sides for the forstner bit...and it worked. I am still going to order an extension for future boxes, because I'm pretty sure this will come up again.
Thanks to everyone for their ideas.