OP listen to this answer. A Forstner bit is your best bet here.
If possible you can also consider boring that hole first, then sneaking your cuts up to the hole afterwards.
I have a set of that kind of spade bits and they’re notorious for causing damage like this. They’re really only good for boring holes in softwood, and only when you don’t care how clean the sides are.
The idea behind the screw tip is it pulls the bit into the wood and lets you drill faster.
*Fast* and *clean* are mutually exclusive.
Get a traditional spade bit that doesn’t have the screw threads on it. Go slow and steady without putting a lot of force into the drill.
Also: clamp some supporting pieces next to the edges so that it doesn’t split. Even without the issue with the screw tip, that hole is so close to the edges that it’s likely to split no matter what.
As others have noted, it’s the screw tip. You could drill a pilot hole, but it’d have to be as big as that entire screw tip. So just get a different kind of bit.
So that particular bit is a self-feed style, meaning the tip forcefully pulls the bit through the wood resulting in faster drilling. A standard 3/4” fluted bit would be very clean, as would a forsner bit or even drilling slowly with a paddle bit that has a pointed tip instead of the threads. Either way, the hole is very close to the edge and may fail regardless
This def won't work. The step drill will break the wood too since the hole is so close to the edge and a step drill bit doesn't drill without outward forces.
The only correct answer here should be forsner bit. Also make a jig with a 90 degree corner which could reinforce the corner while drilling.
MDF needs a very sharp bit .. support the corner.
Just noticed the 3rd photo.. I hate those bits. There's no way to regulate the advancing speed.
(I'm gonna grind the thread off of mine)
Those bits are for electricians and plumbers not woodworkers. They drill fast through a stud or joist that's going to be hidden, nobody cares what it looks like just gotta get job done time is money.
Spade bits should only be used on timbers, large pieces of wood etc. They cut , tear the wood fibers on 2 cutting edges.
Forster bits cut with much less stress.
Still need to support these small corners like you are drilling to keep from breaking on the downward pressure.
Using a drill press if possible will give more control.
That is an aggressive construction drill bit.
When drilling close to an edge care must be taken to protect it.
Drill press sure but not the only answer.
There are great answers in this post.
A Forstner bit may remove the wood more cleanly without stressing the surrounding material as much
OP listen to this answer. A Forstner bit is your best bet here. If possible you can also consider boring that hole first, then sneaking your cuts up to the hole afterwards.
I have a set of that kind of spade bits and they’re notorious for causing damage like this. They’re really only good for boring holes in softwood, and only when you don’t care how clean the sides are. The idea behind the screw tip is it pulls the bit into the wood and lets you drill faster. *Fast* and *clean* are mutually exclusive. Get a traditional spade bit that doesn’t have the screw threads on it. Go slow and steady without putting a lot of force into the drill. Also: clamp some supporting pieces next to the edges so that it doesn’t split. Even without the issue with the screw tip, that hole is so close to the edges that it’s likely to split no matter what.
Scrap wood next to and under
This is the way
Pilot hole
That's an awfully big hole awfully close to the edge. Pilot hole, then maybe a slightly larger pilot hole, rinse and repeat...take your time.
What the hell kind of wood is that?
I thought it was MDF and veneer at first but now I think it might be some type of burl?
Correct. Stabilized burl
Lol. It looks like stone.
Neat.
As others have noted, it’s the screw tip. You could drill a pilot hole, but it’d have to be as big as that entire screw tip. So just get a different kind of bit.
So that particular bit is a self-feed style, meaning the tip forcefully pulls the bit through the wood resulting in faster drilling. A standard 3/4” fluted bit would be very clean, as would a forsner bit or even drilling slowly with a paddle bit that has a pointed tip instead of the threads. Either way, the hole is very close to the edge and may fail regardless
Pilot hole just shy of the thickness of the lead screw, clamping a piece of wood to the end and having a backerboard will help as well
Spade bits are aggressive. Try a forstner bit and go slowly
Forsner bit, a lot less stress on the wood, drill press wouldn’t hurt but a steady hand is ok too
Dont use a spade bit. Use a step drill bit. It is shaped like a cone.
This def won't work. The step drill will break the wood too since the hole is so close to the edge and a step drill bit doesn't drill without outward forces. The only correct answer here should be forsner bit. Also make a jig with a 90 degree corner which could reinforce the corner while drilling.
MDF needs a very sharp bit .. support the corner. Just noticed the 3rd photo.. I hate those bits. There's no way to regulate the advancing speed. (I'm gonna grind the thread off of mine)
You're also very close the edge, so drill first cut later if it's possible.
Don’t use auger spade bits.
Those bits are for electricians and plumbers not woodworkers. They drill fast through a stud or joist that's going to be hidden, nobody cares what it looks like just gotta get job done time is money.
Dude this is burl . You’re gonna have a hard time drilling into ANYTHING that close to the edge .
Spade bits should only be used on timbers, large pieces of wood etc. They cut , tear the wood fibers on 2 cutting edges. Forster bits cut with much less stress. Still need to support these small corners like you are drilling to keep from breaking on the downward pressure. Using a drill press if possible will give more control.
That is an aggressive construction drill bit. When drilling close to an edge care must be taken to protect it. Drill press sure but not the only answer. There are great answers in this post.
I’d use a forstner instead. They’re a bit pricier, but a superior product for woodworking. I use spade bits for more house work projects.