Little tricks I use that may not be obvious to all
Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2018 12:21 am
I started on a project today that required me to drill some mounting holes in a piece of PVC pipe then put holes at 90 degrees to those mounting holes. They don't have to be perfect but at least close. So how would you do it? Take a few moments and think about it.........................................
OK times up.
I used a piece of angle aluminum to draw a straight line on the pipe. I then marked where the two holes need to be.
That method give a nice straight line and a starting point for some measurements. In this case the outside circumference is 7-1/2". I used the 2" marker to start with so the end of the tape didn't produce an error. You of course have to subtract that 2"... da.
This allows you to figure out where the 90 degree point needs to be. How? just simple math.
Since 90 degrees is 1/4 the way round.........
Now I measured from the existing line down the 1-7/8 and made a mark. Then back to the angle AL to draw the line.
Then I used the tape measure to layout the placement of holes and tweeked the mounting holes so they did not interfere, I had the luxury to be able to do that.
Then off to the drill press. Since the pipe is 3-3/8 in diameter I set the fence to bit dimension so it would be half way or centered on the pipe. Once the first hole is drilled I added a piece of scrap wood under the pipe and used a screw to hold it down. This fixes the rotation and keeps the pipe from getting twisted between holes. With the second hole drilled and another screw added I have a block of wood that aligns to the fence and keeps the pipe from twisting.
Now when the pipe is rotated to drill the 90 degree holes the scrap that was under it is against the fence and you have a nice steady work piece for drilling the rest of the holes.
Now it just a matter of drilling, here is as far as I got this evening before I had to quit for the night. Six out of 20 holes done. Yes they are through holes so you need a piece of stock under the pipe to drill into.
I expect a few of you already know what this is but for the rest of you sorry no disclosure until it's done.
This PVC really makes a twisted mess when drilling so it is a slow go having to stop on and off to get rid of the waste. Still have a lot of holes to go but perhaps tomorrow I'll finish it.
Ed
OK times up.
I used a piece of angle aluminum to draw a straight line on the pipe. I then marked where the two holes need to be.
- 20180715_165613_resized.jpg (114.51 KiB) Viewed 14208 times
This allows you to figure out where the 90 degree point needs to be. How? just simple math.
- 20180715_165337.jpg (119.44 KiB) Viewed 14208 times
Now I measured from the existing line down the 1-7/8 and made a mark. Then back to the angle AL to draw the line.
- 20180715_165558_resized.jpg (107.23 KiB) Viewed 14208 times
Then off to the drill press. Since the pipe is 3-3/8 in diameter I set the fence to bit dimension so it would be half way or centered on the pipe. Once the first hole is drilled I added a piece of scrap wood under the pipe and used a screw to hold it down. This fixes the rotation and keeps the pipe from getting twisted between holes. With the second hole drilled and another screw added I have a block of wood that aligns to the fence and keeps the pipe from twisting.
- 20180715_220945_resized.jpg (188.8 KiB) Viewed 14208 times
Now it just a matter of drilling, here is as far as I got this evening before I had to quit for the night. Six out of 20 holes done. Yes they are through holes so you need a piece of stock under the pipe to drill into.
- 20180715_221006_resized.jpg (145.27 KiB) Viewed 14208 times
This PVC really makes a twisted mess when drilling so it is a slow go having to stop on and off to get rid of the waste. Still have a lot of holes to go but perhaps tomorrow I'll finish it.
Ed
