Why my pocket holes are not smooth?

[Will Smith]

I used it on plywood. Some pocket hole are very smooth after drill. Some have residuals around the border and I have to tear them off.

Any tips to get smooth hole border? Did I drill too fast or too slow? Thanks

[Ken Darga]

I get smooth cuts, one needs a drill with a ''fast rpm'' drilling speed---I use a drill, that turns 2000-2500rpms.

Go slow---allow the drill bit to do the work.

''DO NOT'' force or put too much downward pressure, while drilling.

 

Practice on scrap pieces of word, inspect the results, before proceeding to the final product.

 

The drill bit cutting edges need to be ''sharp'' for smooth cuts.

 

I touch-up my drill bit cutting edges, with an ''extra-fine (1200grit) diamond file, and/or machinists sharpening stones.

 

Yes, I occasional get some ''chip-out'' small slivers, drilling in plywood---especially in pine or fir.

Sometimes a little ''tear-out'' occurs at the start of drilling the hole---ARG!

 

TIP: inspect the drill bits cutting edges, using a magnifier.

When magnified, you'll see some unevenness, (not super-sharp), cutting edges.

 

Hope this helps.

 

PS---I use a magnifier to inspect all my cutting tools edges, before I proceed and after I'm done.

 

[Ken Darga]

I sometimes get ''little tear-outs'', on plywood, when using my router---

which turns 15-25000 rpms!

ARG!