Is it possible to drill a curved hole in a solid block?

Question

Is it possible to drill a curved hole in a solid block?

Answer 1

With a spade drill you could do slight curves.  Since the shaft is smaller than the head you can turn slightly while in the hole.  It could wreck the drill too.  

That's the only way I can think of is making a custom tool with a drill tip spun by a flexible shaft supported by a curved tool that could be fed into the piece.  

If you need to make a tighter cure you can drill a straight hole and use steam to bend the wood.  Or cut the piece in two and use a router to make the hole on both halves and glue it back.

Answer 2

none that i have seen....but if the block is a concrete block...u can prepare a curved sleeve by placing a curve tube or rod or styrofoam which can be easily broken in concrete prior to its setting and remove it after it sets.....that way u will get a curved hole...

Answer 3

Oil well drillers are already doing this routinely----they're able to make the drill bits (and pipes) curve way from directly below the derrick, thus greatly extending the range of what a single derrick (usually offshore platform) can reach.  But if it's a solid metal block that a curved hole has to be drilled into, the best way to do it is with EDM, or electric discharge machining.