Tip #25
Everything You Want To Know About Drilling (continued)
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Drilling Accessories

In addition to bits, you'll find a host of other accessories available to speed-up your jobs and improve your results. Here are just a few of those.

Countersinks

Countersinks are cutters with a tapered tip that matches the bottom angle of a flathead wood screw. Just chuck it into your drill press or portable electric drill and cut a shallow beveled hole to a depth that will allow your screw's head to rest flush with the top surface of your workpiece once it's driven into position.

Drill Stops

Drill Stops are small steel rings that slip over your bits and lock into position with an Allen setscrew to limit your hole depths when boring with a portable electric drill. They're an inexpensive accessory that is usually available in sets containing various sizes. Since your drill press has a depth-stop setting, they are of little use with stationary drill press operations.

Plug Cutters

Plug Cutters are used in a drill press (exclusively) to cut the small wooden plugs you use to hide the heads of screws that are recessed into counterbores on mating project components. Although you can usually purchase screw hole plugs or buttons, they are most commonly only available in birch. Occasionally, you can find cherry, oak, walnut and maple plugs. However, if your project is constructed of an exotic wood or one that's highly figured, matching plugs are impossible to find. That's when you need the ability to make your own plugs -- from the same wood you're using. Plug cutters give you that ability.

Doweling Jigs

Doweling Jigs are special clamp-like devices that you tighten over the edges of boards you want to join together with dowels. They feature built-in bushings and/or guides (usually common 1/4", 5/16", 3/8", 7/16" and 1/2" dowel diameters) that are automatically centered over the board's width when the jig is tightened into position. These bushings/guides hold your drill bit perfectly perpendicular to the board's edge while you use your portable electric drill to bore the holes. Doweling Jigs are used exclusively with portable electric drills.

Dowel Centers

Dowel Centers often provide the best way to align the dowel holes in mating boards. First, drill the appropriate sized dowel holes in one of your mating workpieces. Drop the appropriate sized Centers into the holes. Align the two mating pieces and tap the board containing the centers lightly with a mallet. Doing so will cause the protruding points of the Centers to transfer their center locations precisely to the mating board. An inexpensive item for which there really is no alternative in certain situations. Usually available in sets containing two each, 1/4", 5/16", 3/8" and 1/2" sizes.

Combination Bench & Drill Press Vise

Combination Bench & Drill Press Vise. Often, you need to hold objects on your Drill Press table while you bore holes in them. In these cases, a Drill Press Vise is your best choice. Look for small, lightweight models with quick-release tightening handles so you can insert and remove your project components quickly. They can be an invaluable aid for certain operations.

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