[ARHEA]

We use our boring block extensively to put thousands of holes in veneered MDF for ceiling panels. Our problem is that one some products, particularly those that are machined good side up, we get a fair amount of fur around the holes that has to be sanded off by hand. Even then, the veneer can split and make the panel look terrible. Some of our products are machined face down, and because we use a fresh piece of 1/8" or 1/2" mdf underneath for each sheet, our holes are much cleaner. It is when they are face up that is the problem. We are considering using the 1/8" MDF on the face to compress the veneer so that we get less fur, but I thought I should dig deeper and see if there is something else I can do. The boring block runs at 2800-3000 rpm max and we are going about 100 IPM on the plunge. Should we slow the plunge down? Any and all assistance would be appreciated.

[ger21]

What size holes?

[ARHEA]

These are 6mm holes, 32mm OC, using v-point through hole boring bits.

[ger21]

Solid carbide brad point bits give the cleanest holes from my experience. We use them to drill through 2 sided material and get very good results, as long as the spoilboard is clean. V Bits just drill as cleanly, from my experience.

[ARHEA]

Gerry - I'm not sure what the last part meant: "V Bits just drill as cleanly, from my experience." Did you mean to put "just don't drill as cleanly"? We thought about using brad points, but tool life is a big concern. Some of these patterns we are doing will require 9000+ holes be drilled on one 4x8 sheet (that's 8 2x2 ceiling panels), and the average is like 70 sheets. Typically, we change the tools every 10-12 sheets. Even if it's solid carbide, can it handle that load? Who is your supplier for those tools?

[ger21]

Yes, I meant that they DON'T drill as cleanly. We've been using solid carbide 5mm brad points for line boring our cabinet parts. We haven't changed them in over 2 years, and we cut several thousand sheets/year. They still cut very cleanly, and they've probably drilled a lot of plastic laminate sheets as well. Tool life has been at least 10x that of carbide tips. Unfortunately, I'm not sure where we got the ones we've been using. I was going to replace them with a set from Vortex.
Vortex Tool: Solid Carbide Brad Point Drills

[ARHEA]

I have a decent supplier, I'll see what they can do. What are your RPM/FR/Plunge parameters for the 5mm tool?

[yamarider2000]

Yes, I meant that they DON'T drill as cleanly. We've been using solid carbide 5mm brad points for line boring our cabinet parts. We haven't changed them in over 2 years, and we cut several thousand sheets/year. They still cut very cleanly, and they've probably drilled a lot of plastic laminate sheets as well. Tool life has been at least 10x that of carbide tips. Unfortunately, I'm not sure where we got the ones we've been using. I was going to replace them with a set from Vortex.
Vortex Tool: Solid Carbide Brad Point Drills

I have use those bits before and they lasted me 3+ years... I left that company and they were still cutting fine.