Overview
The four precision-ground flutes on our tapered plug cutters cut smooth-walled, close-fitting plugs in both softwoods and hardwoods. The plug diameter of each is slightly tapered so that the wide end is .025'' (roughly 1/32'') oversized, creating a perfectly snug fit. Since the plugs are face grain, you'll get the best possible match to your material. Each plug cutter has a 1/4'' hex shank for quick-change capability (see our optional Quick-Change Chuck #69015). In addition, the hex shanks provide a no-slip grip in traditional keyed or keyless chucks. The plug cutters are intended for use on a drill press or similar stationary machine. Available in 1/4'', 5/16'', 3/8'' and 1/2'' plug sizes.
Features:
- Made from heat-treated steel for extended tool life
- Precision flute design for smooth, clean cutting action in all types of wood
- Cuts face grain wooden plugs for the best possible match
- Wooden plugs have chamfered/tapered sides for easy insertion into holes and a snug fit with nearly invisible glue lines
- 1/4'' hex shank can be used in keyed, keyless, and quick-change chucks
What's included
(1) Rockler Tapered Plug Cutters with Hex Shanks
Technical Details
- Bit Material: Steel
- Bit Type: Plug Cutter
Product Warnings
WARNING: Cancer & Reproductive Harm - www.P65Warnings.ca.govWARNING: Drilling, sawing, sanding or machining wood products can expose you to wood dust, a substance known to the State of California to cause cancer. Avoid inhaling wood dust or use a dust mask or other safeguards for personal protection. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/wood. Questions and Answers
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Browse 12 questions
Browse 12 questions
and 85 answers
Why did you choose this?
Rockler Store
After working with untapered plugs, I want to try these
Daniel M
on Aug 17, 2018
Restoring hardwood floors in a 103 year old home. Various holes drilled over the years need plugging.
Rob S
on Feb 5, 2018
After working with untapered plugs, I want to try these
Daniel M
on Aug 17, 2018
cut plugs for an upcoming project
gig man
on Apr 26, 2018
cut plugs for an upcoming project
gig man
on Apr 26, 2018
same size as 3/8 dowels
Lorraine B
on Feb 4, 2018
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?
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.
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- Jim J on Dec 20, 2017
Can you use a portable drill?
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.
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- David R on Jun 26, 2015
- Purchased on Mar 12, 2015
Can I use the tapered hex shank plug cutter in a hand held drill?
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.
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- ALLEN C on Jul 18, 2015
- Purchased on Mar 29, 2015
Is there a certain length for making the plugs for optimal use?
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.
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- STEVE K on May 12, 2015
- Purchased on Feb 8, 2015
Will this plug cutter produce a plug long enough to fill a kreg pocket screw hole?
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.
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- BILL B on May 1, 2016
- Purchased on Apr 10, 2016
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.
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.
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- David R on Aug 25, 2016
- Purchased on Mar 12, 2015
can you cut plugs in different diameters, 1/4, 3/8,or 1/2 " ?
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.
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- Daniel A on Jan 16, 2016
- Purchased on Mar 28, 2015
Is there a certain depth for the making the plugs?
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.
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- JOSH S on Dec 25, 2015
- Purchased on Oct 8, 2015
How many plugs can I expect to get from this tool? I use a lot of plugs on my projects.
BEST ANSWER: I’m not sure how many plugs one can expect with this cutter. I don’t cut very many myself. It will depend on whether you are cutting in hard or soft woods ,ie maple or oak vs pine or cedar plus others. I will tell you that theses cutters are well made and have sharp edges. Hope this helps
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- Joe R on Jul 10, 2018
- Purchased on Aug 4, 2016
Plugs up using cedar at all speeds and depths. Any ideas?
BEST ANSWER: Stop your drill press and remove the plug.
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- Raymond N on Jun 6, 2016
- Purchased on May 13, 2016
Does this plug cutter work well with composite materials for decks?
Reviews
4.1 / 5.0
40 Reviews
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tool
I used this tool to inlet plugs into a walnut gun stock and it worked great.
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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.
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work nicely
work great... I thought a good value
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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...
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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.
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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
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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.
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Worked fine, first try. Have to go slow as gets hot quickly. No problem.
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