O.D. Mike- here's the hand drill jig
 

Mike asked me to post some pictures of the hand drill jig I use. This is based on a jig Mac showed me.

I think there's 5 pictures all together.
The first is the finished jig. Basically its just a long piece of plywood with a fence on one side. You build a small box to hold your hand drill upside down with the bit level, and mount that against the fence on one end of the plywood.

Then you build a small sled that has a 1/8" nail that lines up with the bit, and you push the sled along the fence to feed the plug into the bit.

When you get 1/2 way flip the plug around and drill from the other end. I have some lines drawn on the fence that show me where the bit ends so I know when I'm more than 1/2 way.

The only real trick is to get the nail and the bit aligned correctly.
When you build the sled, just screw the front and the bottom together at 90 degrees, put a short 1/8" bit in the drill and feed the sled into the drill bit.

That will drill the pilot hole you need for the nail.

Slide the nail in the hole and then put the support piece on the sled. This holds the nail in place and is the handle I use to push the sled...

This thing was the balls, thanks.

Thanks!!!
 

You're the BEST!!!!!!

I've spent 6 hours rearranging the shop around and felt like i've done nothing.... :wall:

Can't wait to build this jig!!!!:jump1:

Thanks,

Mike

Good stuff dave :btu: