Core77

The CD Trick for Drilling Perfectly Perpendicular Holes

Why has no manufacturer solved this problem yet?

By Rain Noe - September 18, 2018

in Tools & Craft

It's amazing that no power tool manufacturer has designed a drill that makes it easy to create holes perfectly perpendicular to the surface of the workpiece. As Jimmy DiResta once suggested, the top and perhaps one side surface of hand drills ought be made perfectly flat, so folks could run it against a straightedge to get square results.

Until someone creates such a thing, here's a trick for using the reflection in an old CD to help improve squareness:

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Pete Schirmer

6 years ago

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why has no manufacturer solved this yet? they have, it's called a drill press.

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Donald Jones

6 years ago

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But i wanted a square hole.

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- Eric Campbell
  
  Donald Jones
  
  6 years ago
  
  Z
  
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  Mortiser.
  
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- Brad Johnson
  
  Donald Jones
  
  6 years ago
  
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  Comment on this
  
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- Pete Schirmer
  
  Donald Jones
  
  6 years ago
  
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  how about a quadsaw? https://www.quadsaw.com/
  
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  - Mark Thomas
    
    Pete Schirmer
    
    6 years ago
    
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    Very clever and nicely done tool.
    
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Nathan D.

6 years ago

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A: You don't use twist drill bits when you need precise holes.
B: The runout on your average top-of-the-line handheld drill motor is astonishingly severe.
C: Bushings and guides are neither expensive nor difficult to find.
D: I'm the only person I know who still owns any CDs.

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Pete Schirmer

6 years ago

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if you need a hand held option you can also get a drill guide. https://www.rockler.com/portable-drill-guide

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- amunta nul
  
  Pete Schirmer
  
  6 years ago
  
  Z
  
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  or this laser contraption: http://www.bullseyebore.com
  
  That being said this cd trick is a great trick if you need it in a pinch.
  
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