THIS PHOTO SHOWS THE EQUIPMENT USED TO DRILL A "CORE HOLE" IN A PIECE OF HANDLE OR FOREARM STOCK. THE WOOD BEING DRILLED IS HOLLY. THE ACTUAL DRILL IS CALLED A "GUN DRILL", AS IT IS USED TO DRILL OUT THE BARRELS IN FIREARMS. THE CUTTING BIT IS CARBIDE AND SHARPENED ESPECIALLY FOR THIS TASK. THE CORE HOLE WILL BE .758" IN DIAMETER AND WILL BE DRILLED EXACTLY DOWN THE CENTER OF THE PIECE OF WOOD. AIR DRILLS ARE EXPENSIVE AND ARE KNOWN FOR THEIR PRECISION AND ACCURACY. AN AIR HOSE IS ATTACHED TO THE DRILL, WHICH CLEARS CHIPS FROM THE CUTTING BIT.
THIS IS THE "BUSINESS" END OF THE GUN DRILL.
HERE IS A ROSEWOOD FOREARM WITH THE CORE HOLE IN IT. THIS PIECE SEASONED FOR ONE YEAR AFTER THE HOLE WAS BORED. I AM NOW MACHINING A POCKET IN THE FOREARM WHERE IT WILL BUTT UP TO THE HANDLE, COMMONLY CALLED THE "A" JOINT. HOWEVER, IN A CORED CUE THERE IS NO "A" JOINT THEREBY MAKING THE CUE STRONGER AND LESS PRONE TO WARPING. THE CORE WILL HAVE A "STOP RING" MACHINED ON IT THAT WILL FIT INTO THE POCKET. THIS ALLOWS FOR THE HANDLE AND THE FOREARM TO LOCK-IN AS OPPOSING FORCES.
