Need inexpensive way

[Mike Davis]

I don’t think I am ready for CNC.

BUT, I need a way to accurately drill a series of holes on 1x2 maple.

One project requires 3/64 inch holes every 7/8 inches for 14 inches.

The other requires 3/8 holes on 1” centers for 5 feet. Can this be done in sections and maintain accuracy?

I have been using jigs and templates. It’s off a bit but not crippling at this point. Later they may need more accuracy and speed. The 3/8 holes will need to be much better than I have been doing.

Maybe some better templates done on CNC will work for me.

The project is not a scale of production to justify several thousand dollars investment.

Any helpful suggestions?

 

[pop-pop]

Template with drill bushings comes to mind. CNC to make the bushing holes?

 

[Mike Davis]

Template with drill bushings comes to mind. CNC to make the bushing holes?

That’s what I was thinking.

 

[JNCarr]

I'd be happy to CNC it for you. Just let me know the bushing ODs.
For the 5 ft I would do it in 2 or 3 pieces with 2 dovetail tabs at each joint. Should maintain tight tolerances in both x and skew if the jig width can be something like 3" (the wider the better for skew).

 

[Wilsoncb]

I would make a jig for the drill press similar to a box joint jig.

 

[bob vaughan]

If I had to make such a thing that required accuracy, I'd consider some sticks of 3/8-16 all thread. One row inlaid into the drilling jig and the other in the drill press. The threads will mesh precisely. Pencil marks on the jig will tell you when you're close.

 

[chris_goris]

I can do it Mike, give me a shout

 

[KenOfCary]

I used a Festool router on their track (the one used for their track saw) to drill the holes evenly spaced in my workbench. I started the holes with the plunge router and then finished them with a brace and bit. That's what I'm doing in my avatar picture. As soon as the center of the bit poked through the bottom of the bench I finished it from the other side to avoid tear-out.

Oh, but you said cheap. It would be cheap for me as I already have the needed tools. The rest is just having the right sized router bit and drill bit and laying it out carefully. This was drilling through 4" thick hard maple.

 

[Tim Sherwood]

a batch of spacer blocks might do the job.

 

[mkepke]

Mike - can you quantify the accuracy that you need?

Is it eg 1/64, 1/100 of an inch positional accuracy?

Depending on the accuracy you need, might need to worry about the run out in your DP.

-Mark

 

[Mike Davis]

I think 1/100 would be fine.
My drill press is junk.
I need to replace it but can't afford the one I want and don't want the one I can afford.