Advice required: Drill power?

[MorrisWoodman12]

One of the tasks I undertake is to help maintain and restore an early open trestle post windmill. Currently I am replacing some rotten wood and have to drill several 1" diameter holes through 12" of extremely well seasoned oak. So I have a 1" auger bit of suitable length but the power tool the mill has is somewhat knackered and I'm looking for a new, replacement power drill.

Some manufacturers give a maximum hole size for steel and wood but others simply give the power rating of the drill. What power rating do I need for this task? Does anyone have any recommendations re suitable tools please? Cost is a bit of an issue as funds tend to come from visitor donations.

Thanks. Martin

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Any 600w+ mains or 18v battery drill should be OK - so long as the auger is of decent quality, clean and sharp. Some are made of cheese. They are not hard to sharpen with a small file. Clean any corrosion or dirt off with a bit of wet and dry and give it a smear of oil - the auger is as important as the drill, and probably more so.

 

[Mark A]

Standard single-speed percussion drills have very little torque, so wouldn't be my first choice for a 1" auger through oak. It may work, or it may burn out. A decent cordless drill, diamond core drill, heavy SDS or a specialist drill with a low-speed/high-torque mode would be better.

Make sure what ever you use has a safety clutch and sturdy side handle, just in case it catches. A drill spinning like apeshit can hurt!

 

[gwr]

Brace and bit would be my first thought for a job like this.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

12" x 1" holes in rock hard oak? Masochist.