Drilling a straight hole in Timbers

[lostsoul65]

Timbers are 3x4x8 and I am using them as a border around my yard. I drill a hole into the timber so I can hammer rebar and hold it to the ground. So after drilling the holes in the center I look on the other side and it’s about ½ off so I hammer rebar to hold them to the ground and they tilt about 10 degrees which won’t work because I have to nail another timber on top. So my question is could I measure the center from both sides and drill half way throw one side then turn it over and drill from the other side which should give me a straight hole?
When I drill a ½” hole throw the timber and hammer a 1/2” rebar you have to pound your brains out with an 8 pounds sludge hammer. So if I drill a 9/16” hole will that be too big to drive a foot of ½” rebar. Would it still be tight enough or should I just stick with drilling ½” hole?

 

[Bondo]

Timbers are 3x4x8 and I am using them as a border around my yard. I drill a hole into the timber so I can hammer rebar and hold it to the ground. So after drilling the holes in the center I look on the other side and it’s about ½ off so I hammer rebar to hold them to the ground and they tilt about 10 degrees which won’t work because I have to nail another timber on top. So my question is could I measure the center from both sides and drill half way throw one side then turn it over and drill from the other side which should give me a straight hole?
When I drill a ½” hole throw the timber and hammer a 1/2” rebar you have to pound your brains out with an 8 pounds sludge hammer. So if I drill a 9/16” hole will that be too big to drive a foot of ½” rebar. Would it still be tight enough or should I just stick with drilling ½” hole?

Ayuh,.... You could try That,...

'n get yerself a BFHammer, a 20 lber,....

 

[Regnar]

or just bend the rebar until it is straight.

 

[mbatarga]

Drill a straighter hole

 

[Arps]

would a level on the drill help?

 

[LeeG]

If you have a drill press, take a block of scrap a couple inches thick, and drill a hole through it the same size you are drilling in your timber. Then clamp it or hold it to your timber and use it as a bushing. Or try sticking a small cross level on the back of your drill.

 

[justsam]

Build a fixture, like a wooden V block sized for the timbers.

 

[zippy99]

Just use a speed square as a visual reference to drill straight.
Also the next size drill isn't 9/16 unless you're using paddle bits.
You can get a 17/32 twist drill which will make the hammering a bit easier without the slop you'd get by going 1/16 over.

 

[rslaback]

I'm not completely following your original post but it sounds to me like you need a longer drill bit.

 

[G_P]

I would get a benchtop drill press you can bring outside with you.

 

[dadsEH]

Didnt get the right answer in last weeks post?

 

[Architorture]

Used to build 8x8 timber walls all the time....just learn to hold the drill straight. I wouldn't recommend making the holes too big since you only have 3" worth of surface to grab onto

 

[dodgemike]

All good tips for drilling straight.
Here is a tip for the rebar/spikes.
If you have access to a medium
size hammer drill use it. They sell
shanks with a cup on the end just
for this. I made my own out an
old chisel and impact sockets. You
can drive the big#80 tie spikes
faster than you can get them out.
Of course the type of timber may
slow you down but beats swinging
a sledge.

Sent from my SCH-S720C using Tapatalk 2

 

[nosnerd]

drill press