What do you guys use to inlet or bore out cork rings? Do you use Pilot Drill Bits or a similar item? Thanks Bill

I use a "Crafty's Cutter" great tool.

Ron Weber

I use a plain hole saw from the hardware store. Since I use REC seats only, I measure the OD of the hood and "tweak" the hole saw with a fine file by gringing off a litle of the off-set teeth until I get the exact diameter I need. The REC hood is .93" and I am able to get that with a 15/16 th hole saw by grinding the side of some of the off-set teeth.

All I do is put the saw into my drill and turn it against the file until I get the correct hole size.

This provides the smoothest cut in cork possible.
Herb.

Forstner bit(s) & finish with dremel tool for any hood

I use a forstner bit.

I do what Herb does, and finish taking out the center with a dremel. If it is a PacBay A5 style, I scribe the shape of the hood on the cork before I assemble the reel seat and use a dremel. I use with an extra long 1/4" arbor in the hole saw to center it in the grip.

Greg,
I replaced the 1/4" drill bit in the hole saw with a stainless 1'4" shaft that I bot in a craft store - so I don't chew-up the hole in the cork ring.
I then use 2-3 smaller hole saws to enlarge the hole. The thin remnants sort of break away easily.
Herb

The blades of a 3/4" pen mill bore enough to fit some Struble hoods. A strip of sandpaper bonded to the outside body of the pen mill enlarges the hole enough to fit REC nickel and aluminum hoods.

Jeff

For:

.76 - .77 inlet: 3/4" forstner with dremel or sanding drum close to 3/4"

.81 inlet: 20 mm forstner bit with dremel or sanding drum close to 3/4"