Bigger airholes without a drillpress??

[rolf]

I used the radial arm saw to cut a v groove in a wood block ..that holds any tubing I want to drill in the drillpress

 

[mocha_jo1]

I just stand the top on a hard suface, put pressure on it, and then drill it with a hand drill. Quality, sharp drill bits are the key to a good hole.

 

[juicybeaver]

I just use a jewler's drill, similar to this



and do it by hand. It's dead simple. No need for power tools or vises.

For my preferences, I use a drill measuring 0.036" dia.

 

[levisdaddy]

this would be the way to go for me. gonna look an amazon for one. How much are they?
Ive been needing a way to enlarge the air holes, but dont trust to use my weak drill. The risk for injury is present.

I just use a jewler's drill, similar to this

View attachment 286260

and do it by hand. It's dead simple. No need for power tools or vises.

For my preferences, I use a drill measuring 0.036" dia.

 

[juicybeaver]

this would be the way to go for me. gonna look an amazon for one. How much are they?
Ive been needing a way to enlarge the air holes, but dont trust to use my weak drill. The risk for injury is present.

This is actually the drill I was trying to find a pic for:

Pin Vise / Modelmaker's Drill Holder



I have both. Both are from Lee Valley Tools. The blue-handled drill works better for this application.

Pin Vise / Modelmaker's Drill Holder (comes with an assortment of drills)
Lee Valley Tools - Important Announcement
$16.90

Jeweller's Drill (no drills included)
Lee Valley Tools - Important Announcement
$24.50

The pin vise is simply turned by hand. Very easy to operate.

Whatever method you end up using to open up the airholes, be careful to remove any drill swarf and burrs that might remain on the inside of the base. I get in there with an exacto knife (and a big magnifying glass) to get rid of any nasties.

 

[Maurice Pudlo]

I've found that just about every home has door trim, and a top cap will usually sit in any one of the 90 degree corners quite securely for drilling. Good bits of course are the key.

I clean out the rough bits with a cratex wheel on my dremel, and if I'm feeling particularly salty I'll hit the air hole with a diamond bit to radius the inlet and smooth it up with more cratex.

I need to buy stock in cratex, the stuff is right up there with the coolest of abrasive tools.

Maurice