Replies

1. 
   ring | May 23, 2009 07:29pm | #1

   Blum drilling machines (and their competitor's) will do this very efficiently. The standard head will make 3 holes at once, and it's pneumatically operated. In our shop we added a foot pedal in addition to the pushbutton operation. If you're really into the 32 mm system, they make a machine with 17 heads.

   David Ring

   http://www.touchwood.co.il/?lang=e&id=1

2. 
   hammer1 | May 24, 2009 12:33am | #2

   Build a large enough support table and attach a fence to it so you don't need two hands to align the bit and hold the work.

   Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

3. 
   KeithNewton | May 24, 2009 04:53am | #3

   Duane, I do that kind of drilling with my plunge router using a template guide bushing, and the little 5 mm brad point drills made for the other machines.

   I made these templates back in the mid 80's, and can drill 1.5 holes per second, so drilling all of the holes for a tall book case only takes about two minutes.

   I offered to do an article in FWW back then, but alas that was another of those times where we missed connecting. I guess that just isn't going to happen in this lifetime.

1. 
   zolton | May 24, 2009 05:55pm | #4

   Keith,

    I'd be interested in seeing your plunge routing/hole making setup. Have you contacted FWW lately to see if they'd be interested in an article now? Or would you consider doing a piece for the website's blog section?

   ZoltonIf you see a possum running around in here, kill it. It's not a pet. - Jackie Moon

1. 
   KeithNewton | May 24, 2009 06:46pm | #5

   Hi Zolton, No I have not offered anything like that in a long time. I figured that someday eventually one of the editors would finally end up dropping by my shop for something else, and I would end up getting to give a quick demo of this and a few other jigs. But I have given up ever expecting that will happen. Back when I came up with this I tried getting some of the local guys interested, but they were stuck in the face-frame age and couldn't break out. This can really help the small shop woodworkers be competitive with the big boys. However, it is not just the speed of drilling the holes that helps speed things up. The time saved by not having to measure for mounting all of the hardware in the cabinets for doors and drawers that really helps speed things up.I will be doing another kitchen fairly soon, so maybe while that is going on I could take some shots and post them.

1. 
   zolton | May 25, 2009 01:08am | #6

   Keith,

   Now you've really whetted (Hm. "Whetted" or the singular "whet?") my appetite to see this method. I hope you'll follow through on photo-documenting it. I'm sure others would be interested as well...

   Zolton

    If you see a possum running around in here, kill it. It's not a pet. - Jackie Moon

2. 
   DuaneR | May 25, 2009 07:36am | #7

   Kieth,

   I amvery interested in your router method. I have the rockler jig and drillbit. Where can I find the correct size router bit for this operation? would I need a custom made guide bushing.

   Thanks

   Duane

1. 
   KeithNewton | May 25, 2009 04:12pm | #9

   Duane, When I made my templates, I used 1/2" apple-ply, and drilled the holes 18mm which was the standard size bushing that came with Makita, Ryobi, and Hitachi routers back then. I am not sure if that is the case now or not, but you could make the template holes the same diameter as whatever bushings you have. I chamfered each hole about 1/8", which increased the top diameter by 1/4", which acts like a funnel to make it easier to find the hole with the bushing.I am not sure if you will be able to find the 5 mm bit with a shank size which will fit your router collet. Back when I made these, I had some bushings made with a 10mm ID, and 1/2" OD, which also was needed to lengthen the drill to ~ 2.5"Duane, Even though you are talking about needing this for bookshelves. You would be wise to use the 32 mm system placement for the holes, so the template will be useful for other projects in the future which need doors. The shelf pin holes are the same as needed for the hinge plates.

1. 
   [email protected] | May 26, 2009 07:14am | #14

   Porter Cable still catalogs metric collets for their routers. I have a full set of metric collets for mine, (6, 8, 10 and 12-mm). I also have the 3/8-inch collet. There are quite a few commercial jigs out there, MEG makes a good one. But they are simple to make yourself. I have a couple of home made ones made out of 3/8-in Lexan. I also have discovered that I can use my router with a 1/2-inch bushing on the Lee Valley - Veritas 32-mm and shelf drilling jig systems. There have been several articles down through the years on how to rig up a foot pedal, and cable to make a foot operated quill on a floor mounted drill press. The other alternative, is a foot actuated hold down system. Again it is a pedal with a cable on it, but instead of operating the quill, it tensions a clamp to hold the work piece in place.

4. 
   flairwoodworks | May 25, 2009 08:53am | #8

   Duane,

   I've hooked up a momentary foot switch between my drill press and the power outlet. The drill press runs as long as my foot is on the switch.

   Chris @ www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.com
   and now www.flairwoodworks.com)

    - Success is not the key to happiness.  Happiness is the key to success.  If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer

5. 
   Dave45 | May 25, 2009 04:22pm | #10

   Rockler sells a jig with Vix style bit for about $30. It's very easy to use, and you can knock out lots of holes in a very short time.

6. 
   forestgirl | May 25, 2009 06:35pm | #11

   Duane, how many amps is your drill press?  I may have a switch that would suit.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 
   
1. 
   DuaneR | May 25, 2009 11:49pm | #12

   Thanks Forestgirl,

   I dont have issues starting the drill press. It is lowering the bit into the work with a foot pedal that would be handy. Nice weather we are having in the PNW this weekend. I am on the other side of the Sound, Cascade foothills .

   Duane

1. 
   forestgirl | May 26, 2009 04:55am | #13

   Awww, jeez, I knew that.  As I was writing my post, the little voice was telling me I had turned somethin' around in my head, but I was too hurried to listen.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

2. 
   Taigert | May 26, 2009 08:22am | #15

   There ya all go maken me homesick again!

   If the saltchuck wasn't so nasty now adays I'd have ya send me a jar of it just so I could remember the smell of the Ocean.

   Duane,

   What about a air cylinder to lower the bit or rig up a air clamp(the clamp would be safer), you would have complete control with a foot pedal??

    

   Taigert

   Edited 5/26/2009 1:28 am ET by Taigert