I need to drill holes at exact positions to affix large workpieces to my cnc for two-sided machining. My drill press is not large enough to reach all drilling positions, and drilling by hand often results in a non-90° angle. I know for metalworking there are magnet drill presses to drill holes in steel beams. But is there something similar for wood?

  • MorrisonMotel6@lemm.ee
    0·
    5 months ago

    They’re a bit pricey, but if I understand your situation correctly, a drill guide sounds like the thing you’re looking for. I think you can get something decent for like $50. And of course, if you want to get stupid, you can spend as much as several hundred

    • alleycat@lemmy.worldOP
      0·
      5 months ago

      I think that’s exactly what I need! At least this type of drill guide:

      Why are very different kinds of tools named the same?

      • Revan343@lemmy.ca
        0·
        5 months ago

        I commented further up, I guess I should have scrolled first. This is exactly the kind of store bought jig I meant; it should be exactly what you need, as long as the base isn’t too big for wherever you need to drill.

        The really cheap (Princess Auto, <$20) ones are alright but not great, the more expensive ones are fantastic

      • doublenut@lemm.ee
        0·
        4 months ago

        I have this exact tool, and just as a warning, it is far from perfect but it does certainly help and I’ve used it for many things but if precision is what you’re looking for you might be better off buying a higher quality one or a chuck and building one at the angle you need.

        Milescraft makes a slightly better one and then there’s the rockler one but you know, you get what you pay for.

  • Tolookah@discuss.tchncs.de
    0·
    5 months ago

    Can you drill a thick ish square of wood in the drill press and then use that as a guide for the big piece? (Clamping it down). That’s about what I would do. (I might use a metal insert on the guide if it’s super super critical)

    Note: I’m Not an experienced woodworker, I’ve used this before for drilling 3d printed pieces.

    • Revan343@lemmy.ca
      0·
      5 months ago

      I mostly work with metal, but this is exactly what I’d do OP. If it’s not an option, then there are jigs you can buy that will work.

    • alleycat@lemmy.worldOP
      0·
      5 months ago

      This type of guide would wear out too fast, I think. It would also take away from the drill length, which I need to drill relatively deep holes (high depth to Diameter ratio).

      • Tolookah@discuss.tchncs.de
        0·
        5 months ago

        Then you likely want a hard drill bushing. That’ll let it be thinner than a wood jig, but still tool steel to not wear out. (Wood to support the bushing)