This weekend I had need of boring several pre-formed cork grips to pretty large diameters. Starting with a 1/4\" hole and needing to go to at least 5/8\" I thought there was no way I could ever ream or rasp them and keep the hole centered. Then I remembered the article in a past Rodmakers mag about making the \"reverse pilot bit cork cutters\". I went to the local HD and picked up a 5/8\" spade bit and did the shaping as shown in the article. Making three tape bushings to guide the bit in the 1/4\" hole I put the drill in place and gave \'er a spin as I withdrew the new reverse bit up into the cork. Man it buzzed through like I was cutting butter!!! And best of all it kept the hole centered and smooth.

Thanks to Roger Seides for writing the article and Rodmakers for printing it. I\'m going back for more spade bits and making up a host of sizes tonite. If you ever need to bore or ream cork grips to larger sizes do yourself a favor and make up a set of these. You will NOT be disappointed!

What Volume and issue is that in? I am slowly building my back issues. Hey Tom, is there a way I can order the back issues in Volume sets or something to that nature.

Pete,
I assume that you did as the article suggested and that is to pull the drill back in from Each End of the grip while boring?
i.e. you did NOT pull the bit all of the way through the grip while boring did you. This is a mistake that some folks make. Because the drill is boring so nicely, they think that they can pull the bit all of the way through the grip with no issue.

Maybe

However, it is more likely that if you do pull it all of the way through the grip, you will gear out the grip cork on the side from which the bit emerges. That is why the article suggests that you only pull the bit 1/2 way through the grip, and then reverse the bit to bore from the opposite end of the grip.

Good luck and I am glad that It worked out well for you.
Roger

I followed the instructions. Why wouldn\'t I?

Always a good idea to listen to those who develop a product and use it in the way they intended!

Peter,
You bet.
Roger

They are great tools.