Shopsmith Forums

I was asked to drill a series of holes for a friend and neighbor. The holes were to be 5/16" in diameter and 1 5/16" apart. I said I could do that and asked if he was going to stay while I did that. NO, he had a tight schedule and was going to get supplies for his project.

The task turned out to be 7 holes in each of five pieces of wood. I decided that the best way was using the Shop Smith in the drill mode. I set the fence for the correct distance from the edge and began drilling. Before I started drilling I had cut six spacers each 1 5/16 wide being very careful to make them all exact. I set the stop block on the fence and lined up all six spacers side by side. I located the first hole, slid the spacers up tight against the end of the piece to be drilled and locked the stop block. Double checked the location of the first hole and drilled it. I then removed one spacer and drilled the next hole, etc, etc. Changed pieces and did the rest. I was pretty pleased.

He was not. The holes were too far apart. There was exactly 1" between the edges of each hole. I had drilled the holes 1 5/16" center to center. He wanted 1 5/16" in the island between the holes.

He was ticked and gathered up his pieces and left saying on the way out that he would get this done by some one who could follow instructions.

Based on what I have said here, did I screw up or did he give me incorrect instructions. I feel bad but after the way he stormed out of here I think that I am down one neighber.

On the bright side, in MT "neighbors" are usually 50 miles away.

BTW, I probably would have done exactly the same as you did.

Sounds to me like the person asking for the favor was a little short on information he provided. I would have done the center-to-center measurement as well. Don't think I would spend much time worrying about it.....not worth the energy

Well Big Sky, with an attitude like he has, I'd count my blessings that he went off in a snit. If he didn't have the time to hang around while YOU did the work, he deserves what he received. If he comes back, have him lay out the holes where he wants them and then point him toward the drill press. Perhaps then he'd appreciate your effort.

It is my opinion that the location of a hole or is typically defined based on its center and not by its edge. Therefore, as stated, I believe you did what you were asked to do.

Two adjacent holes, located 1 5/16" apart have a land between them that is 1" as measured edge to edge on a line passing through both centers.

Consider your self fortunate to have 'discovered' his shortcomings on a minor project.

The fact that you were asked to perform a relatively 'simple' task should have sent up warning flags, but that is hindsight at this point.

Hopefully you both learned from this.

I would have told him to find out HOW to GIVE ACCURATE INSTRUCTIONS before requesting any more help!:rolleyes:

I gather that the guy asking the favor is not a wood worker. He may have thought he was giving clear and accurate instructions.

I need two holes drilled. They should be 1 5/16" apart (measured from where to where).

I believe the convention is center to center. For this fellow it was apparently edge to edge.

I am sorta familiar with the problems that can arise when one attempts to perform wood working tasks based on verbal instructions. I have redone many items because I did not fully understand what she had told me.

I'm with all of the previous posters, but that is how we think, center to center.

A non-woodworker may think differently and unfortunately it sounds like that is what happened here.

John

Hole spacing is always center to center in normal circumstances. So the customer does not know standard convention which is why he wanted someone else to do it. If edge to edge spacing is important it is usually when the holes are different sizes. However this would be an other than normal consideration. We know what they say " a picture is worth a thousand words".
Bill V

I've done metal work for years, and trust me center to center is standard for metal, too. Of course, angry, ignorant people are pretty common, too. Forget him.