Drilling on the lathe 90 degrees from spindle.

[Steve Bistritz]

Hello everyone! Mostly a lurker here as I usually find the info i need by searching. I am looking for a jig so I can use an index wheel and drill holes in the side of a platter, hollowform, or bowl while still on the lathe. I have seen the Oneway Drill Wizard, but have been told there is some slop in it and not very precise. I am wondering what everyone else that does this is using, or if anyone has any ideas they would like to share...thanks in advance!!!!

[Dwight Rutherford]

It should be easy to make a sled out of 3/4" ply or MDF that will hold an electric drill or trim router. Attach the base to the ways and you are good to go. I bet there are examples on U-Tube.

[Sid Matheny]

I made this one because I'm cheap!

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Sid

[Bob Bergstrom]

Drill the desired hole in a 1" dowel perpendicular to dowel and centered. Cut the dowel long enough to be clamped into the banjo and be above center. Now clamp it in the banjo so it is a center line. Now you can slide it anywhere up and down the lathe and be at center at whatever angle desired.

[Peter Fabricius]

Hi Steve.
here is a link to the drill guide that David Reed Smith designed and published.
http://davidreedsmith.com/Articles/DrillGuide/DrillGuide.htm
I built this and it works really well. My unit was built using maple for the body of the unit.
Good luck with your drilling.
Peter F.

[Marvin Hasenak]

Make a mount for a hand drill that will fit a XY vise, add a base to bolt the vise to ways of lathe. The XY vises are available from Enco for $40 and up. The better XY tables will be worth it if you want real accuracy. The XY vises can be adjusted to get rid of slop, but not like a good XY tables.

[Col Smith]

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I made these jigs, 1 for drilling 90° to lathe & the other for indexing. The indexing is made to exact height of lathe centre & a normal small bolt with point ground to suit attached.
The only problem is that the drilling jig can only be used with that particular drill as the height will vary with different drills.
Both bases were made to fit the lathe. If you need more details, please just ask.
HTH

Col

[John RStegall]

Col, great set-up and looks simple enough for even me. Thanks for posting it

[Steve Bistritz]

Thanks for all the great info guys! It is truely appreciated!!!!!

[Steve Bistritz]

Col Smith, i think your creation would be perfect for what i want to do at this time. Do you have any other pics or info on the index wheel you made for the chuck???