handheld drills

[dmr]

For those of us not lucky enough to own a drill press, can anyone offer any tips on how to drill perpendicular holes with a handheld drill. No matter what I do I can't keep the drill straight. Thanks

[papadan]

You can get one of these from Sears. http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?vertical=TOOL&cat=Power+Tool+Accessories&subcat=Drill+Doctor+%26+Drill+Attachments&pid=00967173000&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes

[dmr]

Thanks. I'll check that out!

[Bob D.]

There are drill guides available that you can buy, and even drill holder that can turn your corded drill motor into a mini drill press, but probably not with the precision or power that you would like.

Another way to help guide a hand-held drill motor is to take a block of wood say 1.5 or 2 inches thick and cut a notch in the corner of it. Then use the notch to help square the drill bit to the workpiece.

Using the corner of the notch lets you keep the bit square in both directions, if you just used the edge of a board you would only be assured of square in one direction.

[chief rock]

Hey Bob: When were you A Bee? Retired in 1987.http://www.ridgidforum.com/forum/images/icons/icon14.gif

[djb]

dmr -
Before you spend $30 on a gizmo that tries to make your hand drill a drill press, consider spending $10 more ($40) on a bench top drill press from Harbor Freight: Click Me (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=44506)
- djb

[Bob D.]

You were gone by the time I got in. I got out last year, the last 6 were in IRR.

[amcnerl]

A really cheap way would be to purchase a couple of stickon bubble levels and stick them on the drill motor so you can see them as you're running the drill. One for horizontal and one for vertical alignment. Let us know how you go...

[CWSmith]

DMR,

I'd go with the suggestion that PapaDan made. I've used a similar drill guide (originally made by "Portalign", since the early 70's. I wouldn't be without one.

While a drill press of any kind is certainly a bonus to any shop, you can't beat the versatility of an adjustable drill guide. Whether putting up shelves in the pantry or drilling bolt holes in the deck, the necessity for a portable alignment tool is essential; and, a drill press can't be used in either of those examples.

I have a Ryobi D45 Drill/Driver with the bubble levels built in. Nice feature and on initial use I reasoned that all drills should be so equipped. However, I soon found that my eyes need to be on the drill point, not the levels. The drill-guide provides a stable platform, is adjustable to angles, and has an adjustable stop, and is portable. In addition to the Craftsman model, you will also find them sold at Home Depot (recently added), Rockler, Lee-Valley, and probably others.

I hope this helps,

CWS

[The Wood Meister]

A good investment would also be a set of brad point bits. The center point keeps it from walking and the 2 outer flutes do a nice cut. The great thing about freehand drilling is you can watch when the outer flutes just begin to touch the surface and then slightly adjust your angle until the circle the flutes are scribing, are a full circle. It's actually very accurate!

Mark