Need quick answer please! Need to drill a hole in a tight space.

[Mike Manning]

I want to drill holes in a cabinet face frame but don't have much space. Opening is 9" wide and I'd really like the first hole to be about 1/2" from the bottom. What kind of tool(s) do I need to accomplish this? I'm afraid I'll split the face frame if I try to nail it. As I'm typing this I'm realizing it might be best done with a nail gun which I don't have of course. Hmmm...

[glenn bradley]

The 1/2" from the bottom can be a challenge even if you have plenty of room. I picked up a set of these over time and have never been sorry.

https://www.amazon.com/Milescraft-1302-Drilling-Attachment-Magnetic/dp/B000KICSGQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1482354008&sr=8-1&keywords=milescraft+right+angle

https://www.amazon.com/Milescraft-2300-Wood-Stubby-Drill/dp/B001JEOIHM/ref=pd_sim_469_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=804VMWE6K7KH24XFCPS5

https://www.amazon.com/Milescraft-2320-Metal-Stubby-Drill/dp/B001JEOIHW/ref=pd_sim_469_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=804VMWE6K7KH24XFCPS5

I believe I actually got the bits from a bargain bin at an Ace Hardware store. The right angle attachment can be had from anywhere from Woodcraft to Wal-Mart for about $20. It is hex drive but, with the bits it is a real problem solver.

[Eric D Matson]

How big of hole do you need? I have drilled holes with a coat hanger wire before. This works really well if you are drilling for a location inside a wall while doing a remodel. Go slow and you can slightly bend the coat hanger so your drill is outside the cabinet. Cut the coat hanger at an angle with some lineman pliers.

[Mike Manning]

The 1/2" from the bottom can be a challenge even if you have plenty of room. I picked up a set of these over time and have never been sorry....

Glenn,
That looks like what I need. What do you think is the lowest you could drill a straight perpendicular hole with it?
Mike

[Myk Rian]

Flexible extender shaft, and hex shank drills.
https://www.google.com/shopping/product/14540173231914253621?lsf=seller:1135568,store:1802 3405435634192797&prds=oid:3925461602938697427&q=flexible+extender&hl=en&ei=LgZbWKL7BazKgAb2wqfoDg&lsft=gclid:CjwKEAiA7ejCBRDlp8uF6ezPnjoSJAAPED7M9eD TPdwTfunL4pd1vHqv4fO9Ns7osamYtmzNhOep9hoClaLw_wcB

[Patrick Walsh]

Festool has a attachment for most all its drillsthat will get you within 1/2" of and obstruction..

That and their right angle attachment come in so handy over and over and over again. Pricey but worth it if you make money with your tools..

[glenn bradley]

Glenn,
That looks like what I need. What do you think is the lowest you could drill a straight perpendicular hole with it?
Mike


I just went out and measured. With the head setting on the workbench (simulating the base of your cabinet) the center of the hex-chuck is 7/16" off the surface.

[Bill Conerly]

Love the idea of a flexible extender. Do they have one for nail guns?

[Mike Manning]

I just went out and measured. With the head setting on the workbench (simulating the base of your cabinet) the center of the hex-chuck is 7/16" off the surface.

Thanks Glenn. Ordered one from Amazon with Prime shipping hopefully it'll be here by Friday. I hope it works. About 25% of Amazon reviews were 1-star. I'm hoping it'll work well enough with my Makita drill to get these couple of holes drilled. If so I'll be very happy. I do appreciate the advice from you and everyone. Always a lot of good folks ready to jump in and offer words of wisdom when requested!

[glenn bradley]

I've been using mine for years. Obviously it's not something that gets used every day but it has always worked well. Remember the drill bits need to be hex shank but any hex shank drill bit will work.

[pat warner]

Drill from the outside and plug it afterwards.

[Vince Shriver]

Drill from the outside and plug it afterwards.

I guess that's thinking "outside the box", literally.

[Rick Moyer]

I want to drill holes in a cabinet face frame but don't have much space. Opening is 9" wide and I'd really like the first hole to be about 1/2" from the bottom. What kind of tool(s) do I need to accomplish this? I'm afraid I'll split the face frame if I try to nail it. As I'm typing this I'm realizing it might be best done with a nail gun which I don't have of course. Hmmm...

A trick I learned from my Dad a long time ago was to dull the nail point ( make it blunt by tapping the nail on a hard surface). It seems counterintuitive but it works often to keep a nail from splitting the wood.

[Mike Manning]

A trick I learned from my Dad a long time ago was to dull the nail point ( make it blunt by tapping the nail on a hard surface). It seems counterintuitive but it works often to keep a nail from splitting the wood.

Rick,
That does sound counter-intuitive. Gonna try the right angle drill Glenn suggested but I'll squirrel that idea away for future reference.
Thanks!

[Ronald Blue]

A trick I learned from my Dad a long time ago was to dull the nail point ( make it blunt by tapping the nail on a hard surface). It seems counterintuitive but it works often to keep a nail from splitting the wood.

This works because the blunted nail cuts the wood fiber rather than spreading in wedge like fashion with a sharp point.