Cutting a hole in timber for an umbrella with wedge

[BubblesRetreat]

Hi

We would like to make some holes in a timber bar top on our deck for umbrellas. We want to be able to wedge the holes when we aren't using for the umbrellas. We have this in our outdoor table but can't work out how to cut the circular wedge to keep as a plug

Thanks

 

[MitchellMc]

Hi @BubblesRetreat,

What is the timber bar top made from, and can you please provide a photo of it? 

You could cut the hole with a hole saw, but the plug that comes from that is going to be smaller than the hole, so you couldn't use it by itself to fill the hole, as it would fall through. You'd need to attach a secondary piece of timber on top of it to create the lip. I've created the rendering below to illustrate.

To create the top lip, which you'll then need to adhere to the plug with PVA glue, you can use a hole saw larger than the one you used to cut the plug. I suggest picking up a piece of Merbau decking to cut the lip from.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

[Noyade]

I've started making mine.

Holesaw.

Routered rebate.

Plan is to make an 'inlay' that attaches to the holesaw off-cut, so that no drill hole is seen.

What is the diameter of the umbrella rod @BubblesRetreat ?

[BubblesRetreat]

Our umbrella poles are 50mm

[Noyade]

OK. Bigger than I thought @BubblesRetreat.

Nevertheless, the hole above is 52 mm.

And I eventually went with a deeper trench - around 10mm.

Looks like rain coming outside, so I'm gonna have to pack up shortly.

In the meantime I'll deposit some photos.

See what ya think.

Cheers!

Glue the original hole off cut for the mushroom look...