Yes, it drills crossgrain just as well as it drills endgrain. But the drill for consideration by timber framers doesn't require the wood to turn as does the drill for woodturners. Instead, you use a 1/2" drill motor to power it. Also required is an air compressor. The little pancake jobs will do. The air blows the chips out of the drill. They will drill about 15" deep. But if someone wanted one to drill deeper, I could easily build it.

Thanks,
James Johnson