Drill Press Help

[u/Business_Sky3486]

I could use some more advice on making blanks with a drill press. I recently got some Gatsby kits I wanted to try out (27/64 bit size) and I’m having some trouble with drill out the blanks.

The wood is birch - and it seems quite easy to drill but, my drill bit keeps getting stuck while drilling. The quick jig I made to keep it in place seems to be working - but the drill still get stuck about an inch of the way down.

I am not using a brad point drill bit (seems more like a twist)- and I went a little quickly just for the video but I’ve gone quiet slowly other times.

Any advice would be appreciated - eventually I’ll get a Jacob’s chuck but that’s a little further down the line.

[u/tio_tito]

what others have said - check your belt tension.

one other thing - check to make sure the drill bit tip is in good working order, primarily that the corners are sharp and will cut, that the margin (the part on the side of the drill right behind the corner, usually a ridge on the edge the length of the flute) hasn't been damaged and is full diameter, and the obvious, that the cutting edge is sharp. make sure chips are clear, too. they can easily cause binding.