Replies

1. 
   joinerswork | Apr 19, 2005 03:48pm | #1

   Andy,

   If your drill press has a tilting table, tilt it so it is vertical.  You can make a jig up that has a flat base with a small block screwed to each end.  Cut a Vee shaped cutout in each block, so the jig will cradle your spindle.  Clamp (or bolt)  the jig with spindle to the drill press table and line the end up under the drill bit.  You can also use this jig to drill holes perpendicular to the centerline of a post, for stretchers in a chair leg, for example.

   Regards,

   Ray

1. 
   andyroy1101 | Apr 19, 2005 06:00pm | #4

   Thanks Ray that will work.  I do have a tilting table on the drill press.  Thanks a lot.  a

1. 
   joinerswork | Apr 20, 2005 03:54pm | #11

   Andy,

   You are welcome.  Good luck with your project.

   Regards,

   Ray

2. 
   Jellyrug | Apr 19, 2005 10:38pm | #10

   "Clamp (or bolt)  the jig with spindle to the drill press table and line the end up under the drill bit."

    

   Strangely enough I did exactly this job for a poster bed this week-end. The lining up accurately under the drill bit was a challenge though. How do you do this?

   I had to first level the drill press to a long drill in the chuck, using a plumb bob and then using the plumb bob, to get the work piece axis in perfect alignment with the drill.

   Used a 1 1/2" spade bit to drill holes 2" deep, only to find that after my meticulous alignment, the bit wandered slightly, giving me around 1/16" out of alignment.

   Edited 4/19/2005 3:39 pm ET by Jellyrug

1. 
   joinerswork | Apr 20, 2005 04:18pm | #12

   Jellyrug,

   I am not fond of spade bits for drilling end grain.  They are just too spindly, and as you now know, tend to wander.  I've gotten a few of the milwaukee twist bits that plumbers and electricians use for drilling joists, etc.  They are real stout, don't flex, and drill a clean hole.  They have a self feeding gimlet point that makes using them in a drill press interesting, but I file the threads down so they don't feed so agressively.  A standard spur point bit is really hard to push into end grain if you are drilling a hole bigger than 1/2". 

   It is a challenge to get something other than a cylinder aligned just right.  I normally lay a straightedge along the drill bit and eyeball it against the spindle til things look right. Aligning the edge of the jig  square to the edge of the table will get you close.

   For segmented turnings, or anything too long to fit under the drill press, I drill in the lathe, with the bit chucked at the headstock, and the other end of the stock supported by the tailstock center.  Alignment is guaranteed, if the bit doesn't wander.

   Regards,

   Ray

2. 
   bladeburner | Apr 19, 2005 03:50pm | #2

   If you can find a friend with a Shopsmith use it's horizontal boring feature.

   Joe

3. 
   douglas2cats | Apr 19, 2005 04:49pm | #3

   Is the round stock a standard diameter? If so, can you drill a hole into a thick scrap block, then insert the stock into the hole to stand it up under the drill bit? If you clamp the scrap block in place when you drill it, in theory the stock should be centered under under the DP when you change to a smaller bit.

   Waddaya mean it wont fit through the door?

1. 
   andyroy1101 | Apr 19, 2005 06:08pm | #5

   I have done it that way up until now, but I want something that will work more universally/is configurable for different circumstances.  I have been buying old beater chisels at junk stores and re-handling them.  Most times the handles I am turning are not standard sizes.  Thanks for the message though.  a

1. 
   Tao | Apr 19, 2005 06:14pm | #6

   I just made a wooden v-block and put it in a base that would hold it vertical when clamped to my (horizontal) drill press table.  I just clamp the workpieces in with a couple of C clamps, and shim when necessary to keep things aligned.  It has worked well for lots of years.  Long pieces can hang over the edge of the table.Michael R

   "You have to look for possibilities where there are none" Krenov

4. 
   donkey | Apr 19, 2005 06:27pm | #7

   Thinking back to when I used a doweling jig, before bisquits...the doweling jig that I used to use was self centering and had a "v" notch to align round stock.  It would allow you to mount the doweling jig and drill the hole vertical.  That is if you had a doweling jig.

   Donkey

1. 
   andyroy1101 | Apr 19, 2005 08:06pm | #8

   Good call.  I have a doweling jig.  I used it once and went out and bought a PC Biscuit Joiner.  I had forgotten it.  Thanks.  a

5. 
   Alberta | Apr 19, 2005 10:19pm | #9

   I have an old Craftsman radial arm saw. The most useful thing with it is that I can take off the blade. Screw a drill chuck on to the arbor and use it as a horizontal drilling machine. I made up a carrier to run along on the saw fence. It's easy to adjust to the centre of whatever you want to drill and then slide it onto the drill . Works very well.