Help with Drilling Perpendicular Holes.

[Sheriff Roscoe]

Hard as I try, drilling perpendicular holes free-handed through a 4x4 is difficult. I'm going to be tapping two holes into the end of a 2x4 so the holes through the 4x4 need to come out accurate (perpendicular) on the back side. What type and brand do you guys use? What do you like or dislike about it? I'm thinking a variety of one of the following:

(as a side note, how do I post smaller pics than this via Photobucket? Mine seem to be wider than the width of the computer screen)

I'm generally not a fan a Harbor Freight for a few different reasons but this pic shows the type of devise.

This is a Sears unit. I'm open to other brands but again, purpose is to show the type of devise.

 

[Toolfool]

I bore blank doors by hand all the time, while most carpenters around here are afraid to. If you don't have the "eye", then this device can help. Clamp it to your workpiece.

 

[slickgt1]

I just do it by hand. If you need a super mega accurate hole, take a block of wood and make a jig. Let me see if I can find you some pics.

Try these.

http://www.rockler.com/how-to/accurate-drilling-without-a-drill-press/

You can make anything here out of wood. Well I can, but I'm sure you can too.

Then there is this.

Little L piece jig, this ***** by the way. If you use this method, you need another piece that you will clamp against one leg to hold your drill bit in place.
http://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-drill-a-straight-hole/

My go to method for shelf pins. But I have a hole perpendicular to the guide hole to eject the shavings.
http://www.popularwoodworking.com/woodworking-blogs/editors-blog/drill-holes-straight-square

 

[Stuart in MN]

I have a drill guide similar to your first photo, it works very well for both centering the hole on the board as well as getting it perpendicular. Mine is probably 60 years old and I don't recall the brand, but you can get them from a number of other sources than Harbor Freight.

 

[Packard V8]

You must be the last man standing without a drill press. Given the number of posts over the past few years, I thought everyone had one by now.

As to hand-held jigs, I had a fixed stand similar to the adjustable model. IIRC, the only downside was it was old enough to be sized for 1/4" drill motor and chuck. I think it's gone on down the road, but I'll look where it should be. If it's still there, you can have it for cost of shipping.

jack vines

 

[djb2]

You must be the last man standing without a drill press.

He's talking about 2x4 and 4x4, so the holes likely need to be drilled in-place.
Clamping the drill press to vertical studs tends to flex them ;-)

 

[scw1991]

you could always drill a pilot hole with Dremel using these attachments.

http://www.dremel.com/en-us/Attachments/Pages/ProductDetail.aspx?pid=565
http://www.dremel.com/en-us/Attachments/Pages/ProductDetail.aspx?pid=335-01

 

[Sheriff Roscoe]

You must be the last man standing without a drill press. Given the number of posts over the past few years, I thought everyone had one by now.

As to hand-held jigs, I had a fixed stand similar to the adjustable model. IIRC, the only downside was it was old enough to be sized for 1/4" drill motor and chuck. I think it's gone on down the road, but I'll look where it should be. If it's still there, you can have it for cost of shipping.

jack vines

Jack; thanks for the offer but yes, the 1/4 " wouldn't work in my case. I very much appreciate your generosity though

 

[Sheriff Roscoe]

My Dad has a drill press and was able to make it to their place last night to drill the holes. He also happened to have an old doweling jig laying around and gave it to me. Nice!

Anyway, thanks for your help on this one guys.