Replies

1. 
   swenson | Nov 26, 2010 02:34am | #1

   The simple answer is to drill a block of wood straight and perp with a drill press and then clamp the block to the bedrail and use the hole as a guide with a hand drill.  Buying an extra long bit helps too.

   There are also guides that you can buy with their own chuck that go on a portable drill that work if you clamp some blocks on the sides of the bed rail to make a wider base for it to sit on.  Woodcraft used to sell them.

2. 
   joinerswork | Nov 27, 2010 09:02am | #2

   jeff,

   Have you bored thru the posts already for the bolts?  If so, you can use those holes as a guide for the rails.  Clamp up the bed, and drill thru the post's hole into the rail ends as far as possible.  then dis-assemble the bed, and deepen the holes as needed by clamping the rail in your benchvise, and running the drill into the started hole.

   Ray

1. 
   jeffbonta | Nov 27, 2010 09:49am | #3

   Ray,

   Thanks for the reply. Actually, I am using these bed rail connectors from Rockler (See attached). So there are no through holes. I haven't used these before, but now that I look at it, it looks like there might be a little room for error on the bed rail side. So maybe there isn't an issue. I will practice first. I chose these connectors because they eliminate the need for hole covers on the bed posts. Hopefully I won't be sorry.

   Jeff

   
3. 
   DonJ441 | Jan 28, 2011 10:34am | #4

   I use an old doweling jig when I need some assist in drilling perpendicular holes on the ends of long stock.