Stuntflyer Posted January 30, 2014 Share #1 Posted January 30, 2014 Hello, using a drill press, is there a good way to center and hold dowels for drilling small sheave holes. Thanks, Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russ Posted January 30, 2014 Share #2 Posted January 30, 2014 I have not done it with a drill press. I have always done it with a hand held pin vise. I would use a knife point to to mark the where you want to the drill to bite. Go slow and check several times to make sure you are drilling in the proper direction. Russ riverboat and WackoWolf 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtaylor Posted January 30, 2014 Share #3 Posted January 30, 2014 If you need to use the drill press, make a jig of a piece of wood with a deep "V" in it. Lay the part in the "V" and hold it tight while drilling. Russ's solution is a better one, IMHO. WackoWolf 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Q A's Revenge Posted January 30, 2014 Share #4 Posted January 30, 2014 I have a variety of vee blocks that I could use but I'd probably use my finger plate. Different size brass bushes can be placed in the clamp. The one pictured is for a 5mm centre drill. Or you could just do it with something like a bench block if you can temporarily fix it in place. Just a vee cut into a piece of wood will work well enough though as Mark says. Just bring the drill bit down into the centre of the vee first then clamp the wood in place before placing your dowel into it. It's probably worth spending a little time to make a jig that can be kept safely for future use. sonicmcdude, WackoWolf, mij and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tkay11 Posted January 30, 2014 Share #5 Posted January 30, 2014 Now something as beautiful as that fingerplate can't go un-noticed in the internet world. You don't happen to call yourself Arbalest as well do you? I'd love to be able to make something like that. Tony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Q A's Revenge Posted January 30, 2014 Share #6 Posted January 30, 2014 (edited) Ssh Tony, you're giving my secrets away! For model ship making you could always make something like this out of hardwood, it would serve the purpose just as well. Edited January 30, 2014 by Q A's Revenge WackoWolf, druxey and mij 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mischief Posted January 30, 2014 Share #7 Posted January 30, 2014 QA did you make that drill press,if so,who is your agent on this side of the pond? Very nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pompey2 Posted January 30, 2014 Share #8 Posted January 30, 2014 Funny I had exactly the same thoughts looking at QA's tooling. Sorry Mike we have wandered completely off topic. Nick WackoWolf 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tkay11 Posted January 30, 2014 Share #9 Posted January 30, 2014 Yes, with a little thought, QA, I could do a wooden jig. I've been using angle iron (well, aluminium, actually) for this kind of thing. But your's is a really beautiful piece of work. Tony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Q A's Revenge Posted January 30, 2014 Share #10 Posted January 30, 2014 No guys I didn't make the Drill. They custom made a small batch of these where I used to work for PCB drilling and kindly gave me one when I left. Couple more pictures to whet your appetite! Sorry, we really have wandered off topic now! cristikc, druxey and sonicmcdude 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuntflyer Posted January 30, 2014 Author Share #11 Posted January 30, 2014 (edited) Wow, some very impressive tools you got there. Well, I'm no machinist, that's for sure. However, using the suggestions above, I have come up with an idea that I think will work. I have started on it but won't finish until I get back from vacation. I will put up a few pics then. Edited January 31, 2014 by Stuntflyer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Q A's Revenge Posted January 31, 2014 Share #12 Posted January 31, 2014 The bench block in one of my pictures is made by Starrett, although there are other makes out there. http://www.starrett.com/metrology/product-detail/Precision-Measuring-Tools/Precision-Hand-Tools/Precision-Shop-Tools/Other-Shop-Tools/129 You could use one like this for cross drilling. One of the holes in the vee is just over 1/8". With a BS 1 centre drill in the chuck bring it down until it enters the hole in the block. Find some way of ensuring the block doesn't move. Centre drills are much more ridgid than normal bits so shouldn't wander when you start the hole. Bring the bit up and just start the hole with the centre drill. Drill through with the correct size bit. If you can't ensure things don't move then use the correct size bit from the start and drill carefully. Just use an ordinary 1/8" to align the block if you don't have a centre drill. Hope this helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tkay11 Posted January 31, 2014 Share #13 Posted January 31, 2014 (edited) Aaaah! Centre drills are just the thing I needed to think about as I have been having some trouble with a 1.5mm drill that refuses to go down the centre. Thank you so much, QA! Oh, and I like the blocks as well -- I might well order one! [Edit: Oops, $96 for one. Maybe I'll make my own] Tony Edited January 31, 2014 by tkay11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
druxey Posted January 31, 2014 Share #14 Posted January 31, 2014 One additional thought: In order to prevent (or lessen) the possibility of the bit 'skittering' across the surface of the wood, file a small flat where the sheave will eventually be, then center punch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Q A's Revenge Posted January 31, 2014 Share #15 Posted January 31, 2014 Bit cheaper here! http://www.metals4u.co.uk/precision-tools/75mm-precision-bench-block/1437/4160/detail.asp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tkay11 Posted January 31, 2014 Share #16 Posted January 31, 2014 That's much better! Thanks, QA! Tony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuntflyer Posted January 31, 2014 Author Share #17 Posted January 31, 2014 Q A, That's just what I was looking for. I will pick up the bench block and centre drill. I'm sure that Russ's way would work too but I don't trust myself doing it that way. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AntonyUK Posted January 31, 2014 Share #18 Posted January 31, 2014 Hi. One on EBay ATM . http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/300996989919?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649 Item number 300996989919 Regards Antony. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Q A's Revenge Posted January 31, 2014 Share #19 Posted January 31, 2014 Another here. May be cheaper as I think the price includes postage? http://www.chronos.ltd.uk/acatalog/info%5fBB4%2ehtml WackoWolf 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AntonyUK Posted February 1, 2014 Share #20 Posted February 1, 2014 Hi Or another method http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/proops-centre-finder-for-round-bar-lathes-milling-drilling-3-8-or-8mm-spindle-/291067294848?pt=UK_BOI_Metalworking_Milling_Welding_Metalworking_Supplies_ET&hash=item43c4f67480 This item you put into the drill and centre your work and clamp. Raise drill and remove this centre jig. Insert drill bit and drill. Regards Antony. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Q A's Revenge Posted February 1, 2014 Share #21 Posted February 1, 2014 There are lots of ways. Another method is to put a small rule across the shaft to be drilled, bring the bit down until it touches the rule then move the work until the rule is perfectly (or very nearly!) horizontal. Depends what tools you have to hand. You can buy drilling pads with a vee in them if you have a lathe and there are lots of ways if you have a mill. The bench block though is I believe a handy thing to have around! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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