The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Making a Stovebolt Bed 1 9/16" Forstner Bit?

Mar-K's directions for installing bed hardware call for a 1 9/16" Forstner bit to drill the holes for the mounting offset washers. I can't locate such an item around here. Sears, Lowes, Home Depot all carry 1 1/2" bits and 1 5/8" bits, but no 1 9/16" bits.

Will a 1 1/2" bit do the job?

Tom:
I measured our offset washers to be right at 1-1/2" diameter. That 1-1/2 bit leaves no room for the build-up of finish material on your boards, and any finish except penetrating oil will have some build-up. We would suggest using the 1-5/8 bit instead. That leaves 1/16 all around the washer and should look OK. Much safer than risking damage to the finish by the washer.

We bought the 1-9/16 forstner bit at woodworker supply http://woodworker.com/cgi-bin/FULLPRES.exe?PARTNUM=803-653. Good luck on your project

Mar-Ktech

WOW, right from the horses mouth! Is this fantastic customer service...or what!


Impressed-Stuart

I ordered a 1 9/16" Forstner bit on line today. I had hoped to make the holes today, but I guess I'll have to wait.

It's a good thing I have to wait, though, because when we put the bed on the frame, NOTHING lines up. The whole thing is cocked, and if I had made the recesses for the washers, I'd be in real trouble.

I guess I'll pose another question about squaring the bed.....

Thanks, Mar-Ktech

Hey Tom, Will you loan me your bit when you are done?

Sure thing, Houston. But it might cost more in postage than it's worth. I ordered mine from MLCSwoodworking.com today for $10.95, shipping included.

If you still want it when I'm done, though, let me know and I'd be happy to send it to you. :p

If you don't have a drill press (which I don't) I found it useful to drill in a little bit and then drop the washer in and feel around the edges to see if the depth was the same. Then I knew which way to tilt the drill to square it up. I drilled until 2 washers would sit in the hole and be flush with the surface. Also I noted that the Mar-K tech tip said to put the counterbores towards the front of the truck. In my truck (52)this orientation would result in the washer touching the bedstrip and the counterbore touching the groove in the wood. The back 4 counterbores should be towards the outside and the front 2 towards the inside on a 1/2 ton A.D. truck. Thier drilling tech tip is not application specific so you need to watch what you're doing. Good luck.

Curt B.

Luckily, I have a drill press. I can do a lot of damage with it, too.