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keeping holes straight

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Outside of using a drillpress, which I have infrequent access to, how do others keep their screw holes and barrel pin holes straight? I do own a brace and bit if necessary. Thanx Bud
 
I assume you are worried about pin holes coming out the opposite side on the same plane they went in at.

First, for most drilling I like to have the stock with the barrel in it in a vise. I use the barrel as a plane to set a small level on.

I'm convinced that it is often the part that you are drilling for that deflects the bit so I do it this way.

Mark both sides of the stock where you want the pin. Center punch with sharp pencil.

Drill from one side as straight and level as you can until you hit the metal part your pinning...give it just enough more to dimple the part.

Flip it around and drill as straight as you can from the other side until you hit the part again....you could drill through it at this point or take the part out to drill it through.

Just like anything else in gun building, techniques, opinions and results will vary by builder. :wink:

Hope this helps, J.D.
 
Tom Snyder makes drill guides for drilling with a hand drill, that make it easy to get accurate holes.
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I think he gets $50 for them. His email is [email protected]
Dave Rase on another board makes one out of a c-clamp. I have one of his, and it's worth its weight in gold.

Bill
 
Yup, that jig Tom makes is a great tool. It has really sped up that part of the process for me and I drill with much less mileage on the old stress-o-meter.
 
Yep. But instead of clamping the rifle in the vise I have a center point fixxed to the table that I align the off side hole on. But I follow the same procedure....half way through and flip her over to do the other side....to avoid those skinny drill bits wandering.

J.D.
 
One might take two pieces of wood 12" long and scribe a line dead center on one side then mark off equal distant holes one each scribe line then put then together and clamp with a piece of metal in the middle, then drill thru both sides to the metal. When finished put the pieces of wood in the drawer and you will have a large supply of straight pre-drilled holes whenever you have a need for them :idunno:
 
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I realize this is using a drill press, but just a cheap thing, but its a great aid in drilling the small pin holes for escuchin's etc. also can mill small slots as needed. Take the time to square everythying up.
 
0204121608a.jpg

I realize this is using a drill press, but just a cheap thing, but its a great aid in drilling the small pin holes for escuchin's etc. also can mill small slots as needed. Take the time to square everythying up.
 
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