[TheForge] 2 things

[schade at acegroup.cc]

On Apr 30, 2008, at 3:50 PM, Mark Novak wrote:

> 2. What tool options are out there that would help me drill a centered 
> hole into the end of mild steel rod (besides a punch to make a starter 
> dent)? I have a drill press and a drill press vise, but I'm trying to 
> make a single hole in many inch long sections of half-inch rod and 
> don't want to have to set each one in the vise, trying to get it lined 
> up each time with the bit and the starter dent, etc... Help!
>

You could make a little fixture in an hour. Take a piece of say 1-1/2" 
thick  flat bar a couple of inches long. If you don't have 1-1/2" just 
stack and edge weld (spots) what you have.

Take another piece of flat bar say 1/4"-1/2" thick but otherwise the 
same dimension as the first piece.

Tack the edges lightly with your welder.

Drill a small hole thru the thinner piece and down into the other piece 
at least 1" (the length of your part).

Then drill two tap drill sized holes for 1/4"-20 thru both pieces.

Then grind your welds holding the pieces together.

Then drill the two holes in your top plate with a 1/4" clearance hole.

Then drill and tap a 1/4-20 hole thru the side of your 1-1/2" plate.

Done.

To use put your fixture in your vice.

Put your part in the hole in the 1-1/2" piece and put a set screw in 
the 1/4-20 side hole to hold it for drilling.

Then screw your top plate (drill bushing) down and drill your hole.

repeat