Rocketbuilder
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- Jan 25, 2012
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Well this isn't really a rocketry-related question, but I figured I'd ask it here just because it involves some of the same tools and materials. So here's the situation: I need to drill 27 small (~3/32") holes in a strip of balsa that is 1/4" wide and 1/16" thick. The holes need to be 15.5mm apart, preferably to within less than a mm, but that doesn't really have to do with my question.
So far, I haven't been having much luck. If I try to drill the holes by hand, it cracks the wood and creates a bunch of little splinters around the hole on both sides, as well as taking way to long to be practical. If I try to use my drill to drill the holes, it cracks the wood and creates a bunch of little splinters around the hole on both sides, it just does it quicker and splits the wood to the point of actually breaking the strip. I tried using pilot holes, but that didn't seem to help. I used as little pressure as possible, but the wood still cracked. And no, I can't soak in CA like I'd like, 'cause the wood needs to be able to take stain.
Do you guys have any suggestions about how to accomplish this?
Thank you!
P.S., If I get a good answer, then I'll tell you what this is for. :tongue:
So far, I haven't been having much luck. If I try to drill the holes by hand, it cracks the wood and creates a bunch of little splinters around the hole on both sides, as well as taking way to long to be practical. If I try to use my drill to drill the holes, it cracks the wood and creates a bunch of little splinters around the hole on both sides, it just does it quicker and splits the wood to the point of actually breaking the strip. I tried using pilot holes, but that didn't seem to help. I used as little pressure as possible, but the wood still cracked. And no, I can't soak in CA like I'd like, 'cause the wood needs to be able to take stain.
Do you guys have any suggestions about how to accomplish this?
Thank you!
P.S., If I get a good answer, then I'll tell you what this is for. :tongue: