Centering screws in hinges

[Greg Peterson]

How do you folks center screws for hinges? I'm going to buy a couple of self centering bits, but out of curiosity I'm just checking to see if there are some other tricks of the trade.

[Chris Padilla]

Vix bits are great for this.

Also, another trick if you are using brass screws is to first use a steel screw of the same size to cut/chase the threads. Then put your brass screw in. Brass is soft and can cause you heartaches even with a pilot hole.

[Jim Becker]

Vix bit is my solution...

[Jim Mims]

I made the mistake of buying my centering bits at Sears, broke a bit, and then discovered they don't sell the special long shank drill bits it takes.
Since I had to order some things from Lee Valley anyway, I ordered theirs, along with spare drill bits. <g>
Probably very similar to Vix bits.
- Jim

[Mike Golka]

Centering punch like this (http://doitbest.com/Nail+sets+and+punches-General+Tools-model-806-doitbest-sku-304405.dib) one

[Brian Penning]

These things from Lee Valley work great.

http://www.leevalley.com/images/item/woodworking/drilling/04j0405g2.jpg

http://www.leevalley.com/hardware/page.aspx?c=1&p=40239&cat=3,41306,41330

[Paul Fitzgerald]

Here's another vote for VIX bits. I love 'em!

Paul

[Jason Beam]

Centering punch like this (http://doitbest.com/Nail+sets+and+punches-General+Tools-model-806-doitbest-sku-304405.dib) one

I have and use this more than my vix bits mostly because it's what i can find easier than my vix bits. It sits right next to all my other punches (spring loaded, awls, etc)

[Greg Peterson]

Thanks guys. Good info.

[Doug Shepard]

I use the Vix bits a lot. But lately I've been using this LV set of transfer punches an awful lot http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=54892&cat=1,43456

[Todd Ferrante]

I just finished replacing 18 interior doors in my house. For the first 4 or so I used a hinge to locate the holes, and a countersink to make a divot in the center of the metal hinge hole. Then swapped in a regular drill for the screw holes. This way was workable, but fiddley. Then I picked up a Vix bit, and cut the time I was spending on hinge holes to about 20% of what it was. Definitely the way to go.
Todd F.

[Gary McKown]

Doug - would those punches work for hinges using tiny (#2 FH) screws? None of the self-centering bits go down that small, and I spent a lot of time last Xmas trying to devise a reliable method for mounting small hinges on the keepsake boxes our local WW group was making. For such application, an off-center hole not only looks bad, but can result in breaking off the itty-bitty screw.

I had the idea of using a ballpoint pen as a "centering" punch, but never found one where the tip is centered BEFORE it clears the nose of the pen. Perhaps a standoff spacer tube, with one end beveled to fit in the hinge countersink, might have allowed this to work, but we had all 28 hinges mounted (traditional, punch-and-pray way) before I could try it.

[Chris Padilla]

Gary,

What is the size of a #2 screw or associated hinge-hole diameter? That LV punch set's smallest punch is 3/32" diameter. Regardless, that LV punch set is the bee's knees for only $11!! I've found them invaluable.

[John Dorough]

Do these type bits become clogged a great deal? If so, what is simplest way to clean out?

[Gary McKown]

Chris - the hinges are 1" X 1", very thin, holes about 1/8" diam. and beveled, screw body about 1/16" or so (we had to use a numbered bit to drill the holes).

For a really thin hinge, wouldn't the punches have the same problem as the ballpoint pen - no "reference" until after the punch is already made?

John - yes, they clog easily but often this does not interfere with operation. If they get totally fouled the best way I have found to clear them is to activate the sprung bit a couple times between holes, allowing the chips to exit through the open sides of the casing.

[Chris Padilla]

Gary,

Can you stack a couple of hinges on top of each other to help with registration? Maybe flip one over?

[Richard M. Wolfe]

Vix bit's the standard for doing this. I have a couple other doodads make for marking. One is a spring loaded center punch; put the tip in the center, push and a little spring loaded device hammers it down. You have to have the tip in the very center, though. The other is another spring loaded item. Hold the bottom vertical, pull back on the spring loaded top, let go and it hammers the tip into the wood. There's a number of gadgets like these around.

[Doug Shepard]

...would those punches work for hinges using tiny (#2 FH) screws? None of the self-centering bits go down that small, ...
Looks like Chris already foud the diam. will probably work but I haven't used them on anything that small yet.


...That LV punch set's smallest punch is 3/32" diameter. Regardless, that LV punch set is the bee's knees for only $11!! I've found them invaluable.
I'm surprised at how much I find myself using them. Best cheap Christmas present I've gotten in a long time.


Chris - the hinges are 1" X 1", very thin, holes about 1/8" diam. and beveled, screw body about 1/16" or so (we had to use a numbered bit to drill the holes).

For a really thin hinge, wouldn't the punches have the same problem as the ballpoint pen - no "reference" until after the punch is already made?
...


That could be a problem if they're too thin. Not positive here but I think the length of the points on that set get shorter as the diam. decreases. If you can mic the hinge thickness I can take some calipers to mine to see how long before the punch diam. would engage the hole on the 1/8" size.

[Raymond Fries]

I bought one of these from Garrett Wade and have been happy with the results.

http://www.garrettwade.com/jump.jsp?itemType=PRODUCT&itemID=106934

[Fred Voorhees]

Vix bits are great for this.

Also, another trick if you are using brass screws is to first use a steel screw of the same size to cut/chase the threads. Then put your brass screw in. Brass is soft and can cause you heartaches even with a pilot hole.

Agree with everything Chris says here. Vix and steel screws first if using brass.

[Rich Engelhardt]

Hello,
Another - Vix

[Tom Veatch]

What is the size of a #2 screw ...

A simple way to remember the shank (min. clearance hole) diameter of any "number" sized screw is:

Shank Dia (inches) = 0.060 + (number) * .013

#2 = (.060 + 2 * .013) = .086
#8 = (.060 + 8 * .013) = .164
#10= (.060 + 10 *.013) =.190
etc.

Just wish the relationship of thread root diameter (appx. pilot hole) to the number size were that simple.

[Matt Ocel]

Cast my vote for vix. O.K. gotta get back to American Idol.

[Doug Shepard]

Cast my vote for vix. O.K. gotta get back to American Idol.

How do you spoze Simon will vote on the Vix?:D

[Matt Ocel]

Doug - Simon said absoletley marvelous. Randy said it "Dawg dat was da bomb. Paula, well she didn't know what a vix bit was.

[glenn bradley]

Exactly what Chris P said ;-)

[Greg Peterson]

Well, I went up at lunch time and picked up a few Vix bits. #3, #5 & #9. That ought to keep me outta trouble for a while. Off to the shop to glue a bullseye level on the back of my cordless drill. I figure between being plumb and a self centering bit hinges shouldn't scare me anymore. Thanks for the tip on chasing threads with a steel screw prior to driving brass screws Chris. Thanks to all for the tips.