Pipe drilling jig

[drokihazan]

Can I get some recommendations on a jig for drilling dead center through pipe and rod on a drill press? Something where I can climp the work very securely and also clamp the jig securely to the table, and get clean and repeatable holes. I'm not looking for 100 pounds of cast iron to make ten thousand perfect holes here, but not looking for a 3D printed jig off etsy either, and I'm okay with paying for a good solution.

What's worked well for you folks?

 

[hefnerconstructionlc]

Angle iron is a good start to hold the item. Punch to start.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Depending on how big you're looking to go, this works well enough.

https://www.trick-tools.com/Drill_Rite_Precision_Drill_Guide_Drill_Rite_1155?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw782_BhDjARIsABTv_JBBIKT7ndpmqLft-3iSdIjKQ40pxF9SDW9LQ5w2_8KYl39LVLgmil8aApX-EALw_wcB

 

[RTM]

Portalign

Portalign Tool Corp. - Publication Reprints - Sears Craftsman - Portalign Drill Guide Owner's Manual | VintageMachinery.org

Just chuck it up in your drill press. I think this is the one thing it is best at.

 

[GeoBruin]

I would think a combination of a self centering jig like this that could be clamped to the table, plus something like the venerable "Big Gator Tools" drill guide would get you there pretty economically.

https://a.co/d/bEq8E8H

 

[Beerhippie]

Depending on how big you're looking to go, this works well enough.

https://www.trick-tools.com/Drill_Rite_Precision_Drill_Guide_Drill_Rite_1155?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw782_BhDjARIsABTv_JBBIKT7ndpmqLft-3iSdIjKQ40pxF9SDW9LQ5w2_8KYl39LVLgmil8aApX-EALw_wcB

Who was the genius that put the screws and wingnuts on upside-down so it can't be clamped to the table?

Looks like a very good solution other than that fatal flaw.

 

[Firebrick43]

Do you have a table saw? You can take a 2x6 or 2x8 and make (2) 45 degrees cuts down the center to form a vee groove. Cut a shallow 1/4 wide slot dead center in the groove and you can then center and clamp the board to the table. Use a 1/4” bit in the drill chuck to center it in the groove.

Here is a commercial version of what I described above.



For larger pipe that you won’t have enough quill travel to hit the groove you can use either the rule trick. Place a center drill in the chuck and lower the quill trapping a 6” rule between the center drill and top of the pipe. When the rule is horizontal the pipe is centered.

You could also use a center finder to do the same in the quill

Round Work Piece Center Finder Tool 3/8" Shank for Milling Machine Tools - Amazon.com

Round Work Piece Center Finder Tool 3/8" Shank for Milling Machine Tools - Amazon.com

www.amazon.com

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Who was the genius that put the screws and wingnuts on upside-down so it can't be clamped to the table?

Looks like a very good solution other than that fatal flaw.

I think it's intent was to be used "in place" on aircraft structures. It works pretty good overall. I used it to drill 2 holes about 2" apart through a piece of tubing, and then sleeved it with another piece of tubing with 2 holes with the same spacing and the bolts aligned perfectly between the two pieces. I was impressed considering this was done with a hand drill in a race car.

 

[Beerhippie]

I think it's intent was to be used "in place" on aircraft structures. It works pretty good overall. I used it to drill 2 holes about 2" apart through a piece of tubing, and then sleeved it with another piece of tubing with 2 holes with the same spacing and the bolts aligned perfectly between the two pieces. I was impressed considering this was done with a hand drill in a race car.

Yeah, but it's crippled by having the screws permanently mounted that way. Broach both sides for carriage bolts and it's three times the tool.

 

[whateg01]

Yeah, but it's crippled by having the screws permanently mounted that way. Broach both sides for carriage bolts and it's three times the tool.

Just line it up with the arc of shame holes and put the nuts under the table!

 

[Steve_P]

Agree that the Trick Tools jig looks nice, but it should have the wing nuts on the drill side. That's the side you're going to be on- with the drill! Where the access is.

Otherwise, that does look like a neat fixture. And yeah, you can put spacers under it in a drill press and make it work, but I can only see advantages to have the wingnuts on the other side.

 

[Jgaz]

I use the commercial version of what @Firebrick43 shows with very good success,

If I can’t put the pieces on the drill press table, I use a Big Gator (made in USA) drill guide as shown.

 

[RTM]

I would think a combination of a self centering jig like this that could be clamped to the table, plus something like the venerable "Big Gator Tools" drill guide would get you there pretty economically.

https://a.co/d/bEq8E8H

I have some version of this, have not had a need to use it, yet.

 

[Jgaz]

I have three Big Gator guides. Two drill guides and one tap guide.
Love them all!


I’ve never been great at drilling straight hole by eye.

 

[Rinspeed]

I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed but I have drilled hundreds of holes in pipe. You don't need a jig, you need a decent vise with a v-block, what am I missing.

 

[woody 73]

I bought all the big gator blocks when they were running a special some time back, I never looked back one of the better tools that I bought for drilling dead center.

 

[speed bump]

V blocks are what I use in the drill press or my drill press vise has a grove for grabbing smaller round stock.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

V blocks are what I use in the drill press or my drill press vise has a grove for grabbing smaller round stock.

How do you keep the bit from walking on round tubing? In a mill, it's no big deal as you just find center and face it with an end mill before drilling. The various jigs just make it easy.

 

[Firebrick43]

How do you keep the bit from walking on round tubing? In a mill, it's no big deal as you just find center and face it with an end mill before drilling. The various jigs just make it easy.

A center drill or spot drill first will keep a bit from walking.

 

[T444e]

I have two Gator tap guides, I'll have to look at their drill guides.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

A center drill or spot drill first will keep a bit from walking.

I guess if you can dial in center a spot bit should work. Obviously, the smaller the tubing the more difficult.

 

[Rinspeed]

How do you keep the bit from walking on round tubing?

Good quality snap punch such as a Starrett makes that a non-issue.

 

[whateg01]

This isn't about just getting a hole started in the tubing which is what machining a flat spot provides. It's about ensuring the holes are 180 degrees from each other. whatever you try to stick in the tube also has to have holes that are the same clocking

 

[tool_scrounge]

The Heinrich 305 is what I use, but I found it used for pretty cheap. They make 3 Sizes. Great for short runs.