Drilling Holes

[julief]

You are correct - they are brad point bits.

[mrsn]

Brad point bits are really good if you need to drill very accurate holes. They make a point, and stick to their pint with out flexing as much as other bits.

[kimb]

I do like Julie does, I drill all my holes first and sand the back so it will slide around better.

Kim

[campasano]

I drill all of the hole areas and on the very small ones I turn the blank over and re-drill as to make sure the blade enters the hole with no trouble, at times I lightly sand the back to rid it of small burr material.

[marmoh]

I usually drill all the holes first, and then sand the back, and then use an old blade to insert in the holes to make sure they are "open". 

[Chachi]

All at the same time Unless its a complex one as well then it gets drilled,cut,put away ,drilled, cut, put away, till I'm done with it...

[cameronj]

I always drill all of my holes first (except for some that I miss).  I find it is easier to drill at the drill press, and then move over to the saw.
Jim

[ChuckD]

I guess I do the same way most of you do.  Drill the big easy holes first and work down in size.  Cut out the small hard areas first always leaving the big areas until last.  They usually have the toothpicks in them holding the project together.  I sand before even start the pattern laying etc.  It is a lot safer to do it then when you have don't to work around all those fragile pieces. 

[Gabby]

I usually drill all the holes first, and then sand the back, and then use an old blade to insert in the holes to make sure they are "open". 

Yup me too, but I use a large paper clip with the end straightened to poke through.
G

[jimbo]

Cant see that it makes much difference, if it's a large pattern I will drill a few them get up and drill some more but that is only so I get to stretch my weary bones
Jimbo

[tj]

mrsn,
Where do you get brad point drill bits in the small sizes that will work on our small detailed work?  I've been looking for them very unsuccessfully!

[mrsn]

I am not sure about really small sizes but I can get 1/8" brad points at the big box hardware stores (lowes, home depot, or menards)

[cgswss]

I get mine from Lee Valley  http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=42247&cat=1,180,42240

They go from 5/64 up

[Gabby]

Mikes got the small twist drill bits. #71 through 1/16"
here at        http://www.mikesworkshop.com/newprod.htm
Gabby

[UHMNL]

It depends how big the pattern is. If not too many holes I drill them all at the same time. When it is a very big one I might drill 20 holes, drill them and walk back to my little drill press and cut 20 more holes. I write it down, that way it is easy to find out how many holes there are in the pattern. Many people have told me how many holes are in that project? Also I like to keep time, the same with the people again. How long dit that take you they ask. If you go to my web site and click on Scrollsaw- samples, you see the big Grand Father clock. It has 4045 holes and it took me 95 hours.
I have to admit that I was burned out for a few days.
FD Mike