Make a Drill press
v-block jig for dowels
A V-block is basically a v, cut into a block that you can place round or strange shaped objects in to cut or drill. I’ve made a dowel cutter for the bandsaw, and while that will work to drill a hole, it doesn’t allow you to attach it to the jig like this does, by using painters tape. Attaching the dowel to the jig gives you hands free access to finding and making a perfectly centered hole…or several holes in succession.
watch all steps in this video before starting
Please use the material and tool list below as a guide to finding the products locally.
Materials
- 3/4″ x 1 1/2″ x 20″ Soft or Hardwood
- 1/2″ x 3″ x 12 1/2″ Plywood
- Tape
- Glue (Wood and Super)
- Painter’s tape
Tools Needed/used
- Table saw (to cut plywood to size)
- Drill press
- Speed square
- Ruler
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Step by step instructions
1. Materials
The materials needed are listed above, but you only need a couple of items.
Click image to see this step on youtube
2. Making triangles
We’ll make triangles by using the 45˚ angle on a speed square. You’ll need to cut out 16 of them in all and leave a space between each one made for the kerf of the blade.
Click image to see this step on youtube
3. Gluing triangles on
I glued the triangles on next to a steel tube that’s perfectly parallel. You can use anything between the 45
Click image to see this step on youtube
4. Temporary attachments
To attach this you’ll use painters tape. If you have an inch wide piece of tape, it’ll be far easier to add tape. Just be sure you add tape to the underside to make sure that there’s no movement.
Click image to see this step on youtube
5. Marking & Drilling
Now we can pull the table up to the dowel so that just a scratch can be made, and run it across a predefined mark. We’ll measure the mark, find the center of it and drill a hole. You’ll want to only drill down enough that you make a tiny mark on the opposite side of the dowel…which will make it easier to drill from the other side, preventing tear out.
Click image to see this step on youtube
Tip Jar
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