If you have a pipe, and want to know what size wood drill bit to use
To make a hole in the wood to accommodate the size pipe. What do you do, just guess.
By drilling holes in scrap piece of wood, till you fine the correct size. Or do you use caliper or make a template of the pipe

A caliper is the most common tool for getting the O.D. of a pipe.

Yes that sounds wonderful. You get the outside diameter of the pipe.
Then how do you transfer that information to drill bit size?

You can use a good machinists ruler if you don't have a caliper. Then, look up fraction drills or spade bits, possibly a Forsner bit and go 1 size up. You can use an escutcheon plate over the pipe to cover the hole. About what size are we seeing, 1" or more? Less?

When you put the caliper on the pipe it reads 1.00 maybe
That is a inch spade bit?

The minimum size spade to use would 1 1/8" If you have bits you can use the bit to get the size of hole. With the Forsner bit if it does not go in it will work. With a spade bit lay it on top. Leave room for expansion.

Chuck

Chuck, hope all is well. Why a 1 1/8"? I use 1 1/8" Bit for 3/4" PVC/Smurf. and a 7/8" Bit for 1/2" PVC/Smurf(ENT). Can't tell the size in the picture. Plus with a 7/8" Hole in the center of the stud, It will keep conduit the 1 1/4 inch clearance needed to eliminate the need for Nail plates. Just curious, I probably missed something, Take Care

The pipe is for a edge glued common round wood,(after a drill hole)would slide down the pipe.A stop of some sort would prevent the wood from sliding all the way to the base. Making a stand for barbecue items. Have dull too large Forsners. Have one 1 11/8 spade type. A few hole saws too. Caliper reading has 1.00 but what that converts to in drill bit sizes,escapes me? Could use a scrap piece of wood to test?

1.00 = 1 inch

The 1 and 1/8th spade would give it clearance. 1,1/8 = 1.125

So that how you calculate from the caliper reading? I'll save that information

However I found a hole saw, that made the hole perfectly.
Thanks to all