Is there an easy way to....
 

Drill a straight hole through a dowel? Other than a drill press?
I'm trying to build some lo-tech, lo- price plugs and I'm having some good luck spinning some needles, but I can't get a decent hole through a dowel for the wire. I do not have a drill press, I;m using a 12 inch drill and a vice. I know this is a rookie question but you may have some advice from when you started out......

old thread

i just drill a little at each end till they connect in the middle somewhear.
i use a cordless drill and a 8" bit. you can kinda eyeball if it's going in strait. not the best way, but it works.

Awesome FF, thanks!

What size drill bit are you guys using?

I'm using 1/8"

if your having terrible luck, you can use screw eyes. Lots of guys are opposed to screw eyes, but if you epoxy the eyes in, your line will break before a screw eye pops out. My first plugs were all screw eyes and I never had a problem.

Ditto what Eben said. My first batch of plugs had screw eyes too. Never had a problem with them, yet. Make sure you use stainless steel ones.

I think Salty has them on his web site.

I would feel like I'm taking the easy way out! Thru-wire is too cool, how else am i gonna give Habs a run for his money?

Have you considered getting a chuck for your lathe? I use that technique and it works every time.

Like Motorfish said,that is the answer:D

start drilling thru with a hand drill and allow the dowell to spin in your hand occasionally and that helps to center it. You'll get the feel for it. I do the driling on my lathe now but I used to do it that way.