Replies

1. 
   Sancho | Nov 25, 2003 06:29pm | #1

   Theyre alot of them out there. Some folks make their out using peg board. Some folks use a plunge router with a Jig.

   I however am lazy.:>) I use a Rockler Jig with a matching vix bit. I like cuz its set up so you can drill the right size hole for the metal inserts. It gives it a nice clean look.

    

   Darkworksite4:

   Estamos ganando detrás el estado de Calif. Derrotando a un #### a la vez. DESEA VIVO LA REVOLUCIÓN

2. 
   migraine | Nov 25, 2003 08:09pm | #2

   I have the machinery to drill shelf holes, but in some cases i need to make one.  WhaT I do is take a 3" strip and drill small 1/16" holes every 1"-2", depending on the need.  Then I run in some 1" drywall screws into each hole just so the tips stick through.  Then I give it a light tap to mark where I want to drill the holes with a brad point drill bit.  If I don't want holes to be in one area, I just back out the screws so the don't mark the material.  Iff the jig is too long, I cut it down.  When I becomes too short for the next job, Make another one.  Takes only about 5 min to make a drill jig 

3. 
   Jamie_Buxton | Nov 26, 2003 02:40am | #3

   This sort of jig works very well ---   http://www.woodhaven.com/singleproduct/Main/////781/?fromsearch=1.   It is inexpensive, and it is fast.  Lots of outfits sell jigs like this.   You can get them in 1" or 32 mm spacing.  I find a jig like this is more accurate than the homebrew version made from pegboard, so the shelves don't rock because the holes aren't all in the same plane.   I really like using a plunge router with a spiral bit.  The plunge stop on the router assures that you're not going to bore through the workpiece, and the router assures that the holes are bored straight.

4. 
   Tao | Nov 26, 2003 05:21am | #4

   Make your own.  They are more or less expendable.  Even if your layout isn't totally precise, if you always reference your jig the same way, the holes will always line up, and the shelves won't rock.  Somewhere, I have a jig for uppers and a jug for base cabinets, and a couple of others that were made for some special project or other.

   I like using a plunge router, too.  It's fast, uniform, and makes clean holes.

   Michael R.

5. 
   Scrit | Nov 26, 2003 12:25pm | #5

   The "best" is probably the all-metal beauty made by Festool (http://www.festool-usa.com/ - then follow links for Products -> On-Line Catalogue -> Routers -> Router Accessories -> Hole Drilling Set) to use with their plunge routers - but my, what a price ($127 for the kit, $169 for the guide rail). As mentioned elsewhere Rockler sell jigs, but as stated by another respondent they are really easy to make yourself. If you are concerned about longevity you could always make it out of phenolic plastic and use 5mm Vix bits (they protect the jig from the drill bit).

   Scrit 

6. 
   Elcoholic | Nov 27, 2003 01:11am | #6

   I made one like the MEG Norm uses out of 1/4" Lexan.  I use a plunge router with a spiral bit.  Works sweet and the Lexan was free. 

   John O'Connell - JKO Handcrafted Woodworking

   Life is tough.  It's tougher if you're stupid - John Wayne