Thread: drill and tap guide?

The way I would suggest is, centre punch the spot then start the hole by drilling down about 1-2mm with the drill you intent to use.Then grab a peice of scrap square steel tube and drill it through with the same drill bit on the mill or the drill stand so it is square.Place the drill through the sqaure tube hole and into the 1-2mm hole already started on the job and slide the tube down, either clamp it (preferred) or hold it in place while you drill.
With the tapping part if you use a taper tap first it should follow the hole down strait as said ealier.
It might save you buying a jig, as scrap steel tube cost nothing.
Dave

The simplest form is a cylindrical block turned on a lathe.
It sits on end on its circular face.

Drilled lengthways to accommodate either a single tap diameter or a set.

It keeps your tap in perpendicular alignment to the work.


If the circular base is flat upon the work, the tap IS IN ALIGNMENT.

Grahame

A Dowelling Jig is useful for both.

Before I had a drill press I made my own jig using an ally block and someone else's DP. I took the Drill bits and the ally block around to a friends place and drilled some straight holes of different sizes thru the block. I then clamped the block to the piece and that enabled me to drill straight holes and tap straight threads.

What sort of metal are you doing this in and how thick is it?

What sort of accuracy are you looking for? I've noticed on this forum and the others that, quite often, people are chasing accuracy that is not required. This is mainly because the people haven't had the experience to know what level of accuracy is required.
Most times a small engineers square is all you need. Also don't forget just how sensitive the human eye and brain can be for this sort of thing. With a little practise most people will be able to "eyeball" it and it will be accurate enough for most jobs.

regards
bollie7

Thanks guys, I think a guide block of some sort should do the trick.