Best way to drill through balsa?

Hasanah · 6/27/21

Current attempts aren't going so well, they keep splitting

We've been using small screws and power drills, any suggestions?

Macawnutz · 6/27/21

Slower?

I don't know what size balsa or bits you are using but I don't have that issue ever. Maybe if I get a weak spot in the wood but it's only a piece or two.

Hasanah · 6/27/21

Been sawing these into smaller pieces and trying to get a hole through. How do you do yours?

Wardy · 6/27/21

Try drilling slower that should help

Destiny · 6/27/21

You could try taping the area you are trying to drill. Make sure to use a clean, new drill bit, designed for wood.

If you are still having trouble and the wood pieces are very thin, you could try pressing the hole using a piece of brass tubing of an appropriate diameter through the balsa. This can be made easier by sharpening the edges of the tubing, using a tapered grinding stone first. Or you can use a drill press, if you have one.

Some general tips on technique - don't apply too much pressure. Use a very sharp bit. Start with a smaller bit size to create a pilot hole and switch up to a large size, if needed. Try running the bit in reverse at the start to open up the surface fibers, before you switch directions and starting the hole. Again, don't push too hard. Let the bit do most of the work. Drill slower and without too much pressure.

calibird · 6/27/21

Brad Point Drill Bits are the best for drilling balsa and other woods.

Mizzely · 6/27/21

Stack them on top of each other, and make sure to have a scrap piece of pine or something under it. Smallest bit you can still use for toys, and go slow

Using a drill press will give you more control over the speed/pressure, too!

For the really thin stuff, using a Big Bite Crop-a-dile may be easier. That's what I use for popsicle sticks!

Wardy · 6/27/21

Mizzely said:
Stack them on top of each other, and make sure to have a scrap piece of pine or something under it. Smallest bit you can still use for toys, and go slow

Using a drill press will give you more control over the speed/pressure, too!

For the really thin stuff, using a Big Bite Crop-a-dile may be easier. That's what I use for popsicle sticks!

Big Bite Crop-a-dile i need to google this

calibird · 6/27/21

If you have a scrap piece of pine wood use this at the bottom of your stack. Sometimes this will also help reduce the breakage.

Mizzely · 6/27/21

Wardy said:
Big Bite Crop-a-dile i need to google this

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B0019K3...abc_NGPVJHE2YCREZGYATK58?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Wardy · 6/27/21

Do you use a jigsaw to cut your wood ?

calibird · 6/27/21

Wardy said:
Do you use a jigsaw to cut your wood ?

I use either a band saw or table saw. I use my band saw for balsa and the table saw for pine.

Hasanah · 6/28/21

Literally a screw We've ordered a handheld drill tho so hopefully that works. Will defo take your comments into consideration, thank you

Destiny · 6/28/21

Ah yeah, trying to force a screw into thin wood will make it split. Best practice is to pre-drill a pilot hole using a small drill bit.

BirdG1rl · 6/29/21

Maybe try drilling with less vigour?

Hasanah · 6/29/21

Yeah I guess we were kinda improvising. Hopefully the drill will help though, still waiting on it

Best way to drill through balsa?

Hasanah

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