Drilling a Round Pipe

Drilling holes in round objects such as pipes and dowels not only tests your patience, it can be hazardous to your fingers. Even sharp drill bits tend to skate on hard, round surfaces. A drill press and vise with V-shaped jaws is ideal, but if you don't have those tools, or the pipe you need to drill isn't portable, you have a problem. What you need is a drill guide, a simple device designed for drilling accurate perpendicular holes in round and angled stock.

Drill guide kit with bushings and locating pin
Hammer
Center punch (optional)
Power drill
Drill bits
Sandpaper or file (optional)

Instructions

- 1
  Determine the size of hole that is needed in the pipe. Select the appropriate bushing from the drill guide kit. Place the drill guide on the pipe at the desired hole location. Insert the bushing into the hole in the drill guide.
- 2
  Drop the locating pin included with the drill guide kit into the hole in the drill bushing. Lightly tap the locating pin with a hammer to mark the desired hole location. A slight indentation is sufficient for plastic pipe. For metal pipe, it may be necessary to reinforce this mark with a center punch and a more forceful blow of the hammer.
- 3
  Select a drill bit to fit the drill guide bushing. Chuck the bit into the drill. Center the drill guide and bushing over the marked location on the pipe, using the locating pin to do so if necessary. Insert the drill bit into the drill guide bushing. Hold the drill guide securely as you drill a hole into the pipe.
- 4
  Remove the drill bit from the guide. Move the drill guide out of the way and examine the hole. Clear any burrs from the hole with sandpaper or a file if necessary.

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