Drill and tap straight on location

Ralphy · #1 (**permalink**) 11-19-2009, 05:13 PM

Say you wish to drill a hole. Or maybe drill and tap on a chassis or other item that you will not be able to do on a drill press. Get a piece of steel app. 1/2" thick or better, that will fit into the area you are working in easily. Take it to a drill press and drill through so it clears that drill or tap. Now you will be able to use it as a pilot and if lucky you also can clamp it at location. Your taped or drilled holes will be perfectly straight!

dcdoug · #2 (**permalink**) 11-19-2009, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ralphy

Say you wish to drill a hole. Or maybe drill and tap on a chassis or other item that you will not be able to do on a drill press. Get a piece of steel app. 1/2" thick or better, that will fit into the area you are working in easily. Take it to a drill press and drill through so it clears that drill or tap. Now you will be able to use it as a pilot and if lucky you also can clamp it at location. Your taped or drilled holes will be perfectly straight!

You can also buy drill/tap guides that are pre-made and do the same thing. Very handy.....

madmaxx · #3 (**permalink**) 11-19-2009, 07:35 PM

Excellent tip, never thought of that. In the end an old airplane mechanic told me "a cross thread is better than no thread"

dcdoug · #4 (**permalink**) 11-19-2009, 07:57 PM

I bought this one. Worked for me and I was on my back, under the car with a hand held drill first (used this to be sure I was drilling plumb) and then for the tap guide.

http://www.amazon.com/Big-Gator-Tool...8685491&sr=1-1

If you are in a tight spot, tap sockets are also SUPER useful. I would have been screwed without them. http://www.amazon.com/Tap-Socket-Set...8685744&sr=1-1

*13* · #5 (**permalink**) 11-19-2009, 08:18 PM

Anyone who does metal working & doesn't have one of these has lost a lot of years off of their life for no good reason. Go ahead, laugh! Best $30 bucks you'll ever spend. Guaranteed! http://www.drillspot.com/products/50...c_center_punch

lal Naja · #6 (**permalink**) 11-19-2009, 08:56 PM

I have had both these tapping guides in my shop for about twenty years and they have paid for themselves time and time again.

Part number 2548A12 Tap & Reamer Aligner, for tight spaces or general use. My unit has a two notches on the bottom so that you can use it on a pipe, round tube or round bar.

Part #2704A12 Manual Tap Driver. I have never snapped a tap using this unit. Holes can also be tapped much faster with it than with a wide handle tap wrench.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#tap-wrenches/=4kumz6

I have seen these at low buck tool suppliers for less $$ I'm sure that the internet will have many sources.

Arthur

LMH · #7 (**permalink**) 11-19-2009, 09:02 PM

I have a drill guide for stuff that I can't get into my drill press. Works great for most things but can't fit everywhere.
Larry
Like this: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...rd=drill+guide

Ralphy · #8 (**permalink**) 11-19-2009, 09:35 PM

Hyde,
It breaks glass really well also!

Ralphy

lovehamr · #9 (**permalink**) 11-20-2009, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ralphy

Hyde,
It breaks glass really well also!

Ralphy

Gotta be a story there! I can just see that.

Ralphy · #10 (**permalink**) 11-20-2009, 10:54 AM

Mostly shop talk. However I saw someone do it!
If your not familiar with this punch, it's spring load. Push on it and bam!

http://www.drillspot.com/products/50...c_center_punch

*13* · #11 (**permalink**) 11-20-2009, 10:56 AM

I can imagine

Ralphy · #12 (**permalink**) 11-20-2009, 11:09 AM

One of my few talents include being able to sharpen a drill with a pedestal grinder by hand. Learned by the age of 20. Three inch diameter drills are hard but the little ones are a *****!

Cobalt drills are the best, they are the ones with a dull gold finish.