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Hex Shank Tapered Plug Cutters-Hex Shank Tapered Plug Cutters Zoom

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How to Make and Install Wood Plugs

Hex Shank Tapered Plug Cutters-Hex Shank Tapered Plug Cutters

product name price quantity total
Hex Shank Plug Cutter - 1/4" Item #: 68960
Oversold until 05/15/2018
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$14.99

Each 		$14.99
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Hex Shank Plug Cutter - 3/8" Item #: 68968
Oversold until 05/31/2018
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$16.99

Each 		$16.99
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Hex Shank Plug Cutter - 1/2" Item #: 68976
Oversold until 05/31/2018
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$17.99

Each 		$17.99
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Hex Shank Plug Cutter - 1/4" Item #: 68960
Oversold until 05/15/2018
Reserve Yours Today
 
Price:
$14.99
Each
Quantity:
Total: $14.99

Find in Store
Hex Shank Plug Cutter - 3/8" Item #: 68968
Oversold until 05/31/2018
Reserve Yours Today
 
Price:
$16.99
Each
Quantity:
Total: $16.99

Find in Store
Hex Shank Plug Cutter - 1/2" Item #: 68976
Oversold until 05/31/2018
Reserve Yours Today
 
Price:
$17.99
Each
Quantity:
Total: $17.99

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Overview

Precision-ground edges and flute design cut precise edges that don't require sanding! Suitable for both soft and hardwoods. Plug diameter is slightly tapered from one size to .025" oversized. Available in 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" plug sizes. With 1/4" hex shank on all cutters to fit quick-change chuck (#69015, sold separately). The Plug Cutter is intended for use on a drill press or similar stationary machine. Hex shank can be used in keyed, keyless and quick-change chucks.


Features:
  • Made from heat treated steel for extended tool life
  • Flute design for smooth, clean, precise cutting action in any type of wood
  • Makes wooden plugs with chamfered/tapered shapes for easy insertion into holes, a snug fit and almost invisible glue line results
  • Hex shank can be used in keyed, keyless, and quick-change chucks

What's included

(1) Hex Shank Tapered Plug Cutter

Technical Details

  • Bit Material: Steel
  • Bit Type: Plug Cutter

Questions and Answers

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Browse 10 questions Browse 10 questions and 81 answers
Why did you choose this?
Rockler Store
Restoring hardwood floors in a 103 year old home. Various holes drilled over the years need plugging.
Rob S on Feb 5, 2018
Needed for a project.
Jay S on Feb 3, 2018
Restoring hardwood floors in a 103 year old home. Various holes drilled over the years need plugging.
Rob S on Feb 5, 2018
same size as 3/8 dowels
Lorraine B on Feb 4, 2018
Needed for a project.
Jay S on Feb 3, 2018
On a whim, so I can make my own plugs
Casey P on Dec 29, 2017
Feedback was very positive and others I reviewed were not, and I trust Rockler Tools.
Christopher D on Nov 29, 2017
Building various tables for family and friends and like to use different woods for screw plugs. This way I can use any wood I have to contrast or match the wood I'm using for my build.
John I on Nov 29, 2017
needed a new one
Dwight on Nov 7, 2017
needed it
michael m on Aug 9, 2017
Old one wore out after 15 years
Joseph F on Aug 6, 2017
I will be countersinking some #8 0r #10 screws and would like to cut some plugs to cover the holes.
Beverly P on Jul 4, 2017
Plug holes in wood floor made for coaxial cable.
James D on Jun 24, 2017
because I needed it
jason s on May 31, 2017
ditto
Benton F on May 17, 2017
a project that requires desired hole dia., excisting tool broke.
herbert s on Mar 29, 2017
Restoring wooden boat
Thomas T on Mar 21, 2017
just broke my old one,,, needed a better product
Ron B on Mar 4, 2017
I needed to put some plugs in some holes that I did by mistake.
RAFAEL R on Feb 27, 2017
Box pegging
Denise D on Feb 17, 2017
I'll finally be able to match the material I use for my plugs.
Jesse P on Feb 13, 2017
something new to me
richard s on Feb 12, 2017
have seen it used on woodworking videos, reviews state that it is a good product.
Jonathan M on Nov 15, 2016
I saw it on u tube .
Allen V on Nov 4, 2016
Because I needed them, and the taper helps in putting them in place
JP P on Sep 1, 2016
Need to cut plugs for azek decking.
Steve M on Jul 17, 2016
need it
Rick C on Jun 11, 2016
I use darker types wood for the plugs going into lighter types of wood for a contrast.
Tommy J on Apr 24, 2016
Needed it
STEVE J on Apr 20, 2016
needed to cut plugs from exotic hardwood to match project
Thomas on Feb 28, 2016
hard to find cedar plugs... ill make my own.
Darryl H on Feb 19, 2016
Good, accurate plugs. Well made.
Bob K on Feb 10, 2016
Used for cutting plugs for a crib and a rocking horse I built
John in Wyoming on Jan 26, 2016
to replace my cutter
robert P on Jan 25, 2016
To cut my own plugs
Richard P on Jan 19, 2016
I purchased two from you recently and am not happy with them. the plugs that it cut would not fit in the 3/8" hole. also, I work in oak and the cutter heats up too fast and burns the plug. any suggestions? I can get the local ace to order some for me, but I have no idea where the come from. but they are better that yours. if you want to discus this let me know and i'll call your service person.
edward p on Dec 30, 2015
Repaired a headstock on a custom Telecaster where the screw broke off for a tuner.
John A on Nov 14, 2015
I could only find straight plug cutters and not tapered.
Robert T K on Nov 1, 2015
My current plug cutter is VERY dull. Been using it for years.
Jerry T on Oct 16, 2015
It became a necessity after drilling to large a hole
Jarrod L on Oct 4, 2015
for my church decking project.
Hans L on Oct 2, 2015
Did not have any plug cutters
Dale K on Sep 23, 2015
plugs used for a walnut side table
Lawrence K on Aug 2, 2015
on sale
Lawrence G on Jul 30, 2015
Replacement for my 20 year old Snug Plug cutter
Mark Y on Jul 29, 2015
Need to cut plugs to fill holes
KEN H on Jul 21, 2015
plugs can be expensive and this matches what you are doing and perfect way to use scraps
Melanie C on Jul 12, 2015
Wore my other set out
Lu N on Jul 5, 2015
They are tapered so I can plug screw holes
Butch S on Jun 23, 2015
I need it
eric H on May 21, 2015
same size as 3/8 dowels
Lorraine B on Feb 4, 2018
On a whim, so I can make my own plugs
Casey P on Dec 29, 2017
The description says "Plug diameter is slightly tapered from one size to .025" OVERSIZED." This may just be poor language but it sounds like the plug would start oversized and taper DOWN to the stated dimension. Can someone clarify? Do the plugs start at the stated dimension and taper down .025 (undersized)? Or do they start oversized and taper down to the stated dimension?
Rickgm on Oct 23, 2016
BEST ANSWER: Starts oversized. As the cutter goes deeper, the cutter’s taper continues to shave the diameter. In the end, the plug is upside down. Once cut from the blank 𝐘𝐨𝐮 reorient it for actual use.
Can you use a portable drill?
A shopper on Jun 25, 2015
BEST ANSWER: Yes with the following help. Use the plug cutter to cut a hole through a 1/4 or 3/8" board first and then clamp this guide board to the board you are cutting plugs from to keep the plug cutter from running all over the place. You will have to make some kind of mark to know what depth to drill to.
Can I use the tapered hex shank plug cutter in a hand held drill?
A shopper on Jul 18, 2015
BEST ANSWER: I wouldn't. To make the plugs "exact" you cannot wobble or not drill perpendicular to the wood. The larger the plug the more difficult it will be. So unless you can hold the drill completely stable or better yet, use a drill guide, you may not get the perfect plug. I was using the plugs for fine craft work so I needed "perfect" plugs. If you aren't, e.g. you will paint over the plugs, then you could get away with a hand held drill.
Is there a certain length for making the plugs for optimal use?
Griffin K on May 8, 2015
BEST ANSWER: Obviously, you can only make the so long, depending on the depth of the cutter. In terms of the minimum depth...I use a flush cutting razor saw and trim them off. Probably no less than 1/4" long. 3/8" optimal and 1/2 maybe too wasteful if you care. I usually use cutoffs from the same material, so I don't care. Good luck.
Will this plug cutter produce a plug long enough to fill a kreg pocket screw hole?
Dave B on May 3, 2015
BEST ANSWER: I think your question is misleading the answers. Can you fill the pocket hole with these plugs - no. Can you use these plugs to plug a pocket hole yes. Just cut the plug and cover it with glue. Shove it in the hole leaving it protruding enough so the surface area is completely filled. Once the glue dries you can plane it off. Not sure what the purpose of completely filling the hole since it is only for cosmetics.
What is the depth of the cutter? I need 1" dowels in a maple to pin an open mortise joint. Thought I would try making them with a plug cutter since I can't get maple dowels.
Donna R on Aug 24, 2016
BEST ANSWER: The short answer is no because the cutting depth is 1/2". However, if you only need a few dowels here is how you could get to one inch: 1) cut a maple board one inch long (wood grain is one inch long) 2) use the plug cutter to cut in from the end to lay out the plugs/dowels, cutting 1/2" deep, 3) use a band saw to separate the roughed out dowels, 4) hand carve the rest of the dowel with chisel or knife. If this isn't good enough chuck them up in a drill and spin them in hole drilled into hard wood (harder than Maple) to get them polished to the correct size. Good luck.
can you cut plugs in different diameters, 1/4, 3/8,or 1/2 " ?
Ray K on Jan 16, 2016
BEST ANSWER: you need a separate cutter for each diameter you would like to cut. the taper that the plug cutter cuts allows the plug to fit firmly into the hole when you tap it in.
Is there a certain depth for the making the plugs?
Griffin K on May 8, 2015
BEST ANSWER: The best route to go is to just cut the plug as deep as the bit will allow. This leaves plenty of plug to set in the hole and enough to be able to trim the plug flush.
Plugs up using cedar at all speeds and depths. Any ideas?
Steve H. on May 25, 2016
BEST ANSWER: Stop your drill press and remove the plug.

Reviews

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4.1 / 5.0
38 Reviews
5 Stars
4 Stars
3 Stars
2 Stars
1 Stars
24
3
6
1
4
tool
I used this tool to inlet plugs into a walnut gun stock and it worked great.
April 4, 2018
Purchased
 1 month ago
Woodworking Experience:
Advanced
Nice plug cutter
Does the job well but it is hard to use free hand and you waste material in doing so. I don't have a drill press so I used a drill guide and that worked nicely.
February 2, 2018
Purchased
 3 months ago
Woodworking Experience:
Beginner
work nicely
work great... I thought a good value
January 22, 2018
Purchased
 over 2 years ago
cheaper alternative to decking plugs
Decking screw system is expensive. I bought screws only (Fastenmaster trapease 3) but thought this price was worth experimenting. So far made a few plugs from soft pine only, using just 1/2" hole guide using scrap 1x and a spade bit. Into trex decking and it works. Using the trex to make plugs is definitely possible. If making a few thousand plugs, I'd definitely get a cheap drill press. I think I can make a couple hundred plugs easy with home made hole guide but...
January 11, 2018
Purchased
 4 months ago
Impressed
These cutters are accurate in size and cut cleanly. It is not noted on the product but best result is achieved at approx 400-600 Rpm. The taper is also very good which limits the depth to approx 3/8”, plenty for plugging screws. Because of the taper, the finish end of the plugs is what is cut after band sawing or hand sawing the plugs from your stock. The surface you see while drilling out the plug is going to be the inside so grain match msy not be perfect if you want to blend in the plugs.
December 20, 2017
Purchased
 4 months ago
Woodworking Experience:
Advanced
Worked great.
June 1, 2017
Purchased
 11 months ago
Woodworking Experience:
Advanced
Plug cutter for Band organ pipes
I was restoring the pipes in the Madam Laura Band organ and I needed to plug some spots in some small pipes that had 5-6 screw holes in the wood. A pipe does not play correctly if there is a hole in the side. It won't speak or won't sound the right note or tone. making poplar plugs allowed me to drill out those bad spots and plug the holes with solid wood and make a solid base for new screw holes to be installed in the correct spot. There is a pic of the old girl herself. She was displayed at Gay Nineties Melody Museum in St. Louis and in Sikeston MO as well as Bellms Antique cars and Music over the last 50 years
User submitted image
User submitted image
March 29, 2017
Purchased
 1 year ago
non stop use
I've used my plug cutter for the past 4 years. Pretty consistently too. The thing won't break! I would say this is the best tool I have every purchased.
March 14, 2017
Purchased
 over 3 years ago
Worked fine, first try. Have to go slow as gets hot quickly. No problem.
August 24, 2016
Purchased
 1 year ago
plug cutter
Used 1/4" diameter plug cutter to make plugs for my Azek decking. Screw supplier did not send enough plugs and was forced to make my own. Plug cutter made precise sized plugs for this purpose.
August 10, 2016
Purchased
 1 year ago
Woodworking Experience:
Intermediate

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