How do you drill an airflow hole perfectly without a drill press?

[treehead]

I'm debating making a contraption alot like this. I have actually done a great job cleanly drilling most of my toppers by hand, however there are a few "slips" that are present on some, with a big lovely scratch leading to the drilled holes. I could always just buy a drill press, but that's something I'd like to save up for, and probably buy a multi-purpose press for other projects, so that's not an immediate solution.

I was wondering if you guy's had any tips on making that perfect initial "starter divot" to put the drill bit in, or even an easy way to easily/perfectly drill a hole with nothing but a hand drill.


I have one of the best drills money can buy, the problem is the user . I'm not exactly as perfect as a drill-press can be, and I have a great local vape-shop I can always go to and get it done for free. But I was just checking with my ECFriends to see if they had a good tip for me. (And making the divot with a nail & hammer doesn't really work that well.)

~Thanks in advance!

 

[stevegmu]

If you have a vice, quality German or American made bits and center punch, you shouldn't need a press...

 

[treehead]

If you have a vice, quality German or American made bits and center punch, you shouldn't need a press...

Duh that's right, thank you sir, I actually own one already, I just have only used it for wood and sheet-metal so far. Well time to get to drillin!

 

[tobarger]

Automatic Spring-Loaded Center Punch (Its the only kind I use)
http://www.harborfreight.com/spring-loaded-center-punch-621.html

BTW - A Dremel spins way too fast for drilling holes in metal
You need slow speed and TORQUE
The Dremel will just burn up a drill bit

 

[illitirit]

get a hand drill with a level built in. I would reccommend vise grips as well for holding securely.

 

[GrandSam]

Before purchasing a drill press, I would etch a small mark onto the RDA. It allowed for steady and easy drilling.

 

[chrisj3982]

I drilled a 3/32 inch hole in my hand drilling out my dripper (not my proudest moment, but don't hold a round object and try to drill a hole in said round object while in your hand, bad idea


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[second2none]

SMH lol......

 

[VaPreis]

I drilled a 3/32 inch hole in my hand drilling out my dripper (not my proudest moment, but don't hold a round object and try to drill a hole in said round object while in your hand, bad idea


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I may or may not be able to confirm that drilling a hole in your finger is a possible outcome of holding your workpiece in your hand when drilling.

 

[Bunnykiller]

start with the smallest bit you can find, the smaller bits have a sharper "cut" point and are less likely to wander. Go with light pressure low speed until a "dimple" is produced, then apply a bit more pressure untill a hole is formed. Proceed to the next drill bit size up and drill thru, repeat as needed to get to the hole size desired.

 

[tobarger]

I've drilled a hole in my hand once, a long time ago
Good DIY experience
Hasn't happened again since

 

[D. Waterhouse]

Chuck the bit as deep as it will go, preferably no more than twice the depth of the hole and use masking tape to avoid scratches.

 

[Dconnor]

I put a wooden dowel in the cap, and electrical tape to protect the finish. Use center punch for start, and drill away.

 

[bussdriver]

And, very important, use the best drill bits you can find. Cheap drill sets from discount stores are simply junk. They may get through your brass or copper relatively easy, but when set to drilling in good quality stainless steel they are usually rendered useless very quickly.

It may seem wasteful to pay 5 bucks or more for a single small bit, but a good bit will actually hurt you less. It will require less pressure to get the job done and break less often, along with less wandering around on the surface.

Always clamp your work firmly. That way you can concentrate completely on using the drill. A vise is easiest and best, but at least clamp the work down somehow with padded jaw vise-grips or something.