1" dowel 26? 27? mm Forstner?

[®smpr_fi_mac®]

I need a close slip fit for inserting 1" dowels into holes drilled with a Forstner bit. 1" bit is *just* too tight. 26mm is only .02" larger. 27mm is .06" larger.

Which would you use?

[brianwelch]

I need a close slip fit for inserting 1" dowels into holes drilled with a Forstner bit.  1" bit is *just* too tight.  26mm is only .02" larger.  27mm is .06" larger.

Which would you use?

can you sand the dowel to provide a little breathing room?
will the dowel be receiving any finish prior to its final placement?
I recently built some Pikler climbing devices for our grandson, and like you, played around with the forstner bits til I found a happy medium. In my case, I had glue to keep everything fixed, not sliding...

[®smpr_fi_mac®]

That's exactly what I'm building, but am batching multiples so I'm looking for time saving steps.

No finish on the rungs. Sanding is time consuming and not exact.

[Cooler]

Have you tested for fit?  It is doubtful that the dowels is held to a tolerance of closer than ±0.010".  And the drills will probably have a tolerance of ± 0.001 - ± 0.002.  So a test fit is in order.

If you don't already have the bits, then go ahead and order a 1.00" bit.

[®smpr_fi_mac®]

I have a 1" bit. As mentioned above the fit is *just* a bit to snug.

I'll order a 26 and 27mm bit and see which works best.

[iclark]

I have a 1" bit.  As mentioned above the fit is *just* a bit to snug.

I'll order a 26 and 27mm bit and see which works best.

The dowels are probably not quite round and their size will vary slightly with moisture content changes unless you seal them.

If you measure the dowels with calipers (or dividers and a ruler), how much variation in the dowels do you find?

Do you already have all the dowels that you will use for the project?

[Woodshop]

I have a 1" bit.  As mentioned above the fit is *just* a bit to snug.

I'll order a 26 and 27mm bit and see which works best.

There is one More option
MLCS has a 1-3/64" (26.6mm)  $ 8.95 with free shipping

https://www.mlcswoodworking.com/shopsite...orsbit.htm

[Phil S.]

Brad -

The 26 mm bit should work if your dowels are truly 1" (1" = 25.4 mm).  If you have the dowels in hand you could measure them and eliminate some of the guess work.

Phil

[J-W-P]

How about a smaller hole?

I've been making several of these this year. They seem to be popular.  I use 1-1/4" rods and drill a 1" hole.  I round the rod ends over on my table saw.  They fit nice and tight and give a cleaner look.

[Gary G™]

Do you have a lathe?