Homemade Drilling Jig

Jig Plate

• There are four elements to consider when making any drilling jig. The jig plate can be considered the foundation on which the remaining elements are placed. Typically, the jig plate is constructed of 3/4-inch or greater stock that offers a sacrificial surface to protect both the drill bit and the metal base plate. The jig plate may have locating elements to place the jig on the drill press base.

Locating Elements

• Locating elements are any pieces that function to place working stock in the correct position for drilling. As mentioned, the jig plate can have frames or guides to fix the location on the base plate. Additionally, guides may be added to the plate surface so that each piece of stock can be placed in the same position on the jig plate. Once the jig is set, stock can be placed against the locating elements and drilled quickly.

Clamping Elements

• The secure location of a jig increases the accuracy of multiple cuts when all the variable movements of the jig and drill press base are locked. Clamps are used for this purpose. Locating elements may also include pieces over the top of the stock to create a socket to keep the stock secure from upward movement without additional setup time for clamping the working stock. Clamping elements are essential to maintain the accuracy of the locating elements.

Bushings

• For a limited number of pieces, locating a point on the jig base may be accurate. If you are drilling through stock, the bit will remove stock from the base. One method of both preserving the base plate and accurately locating it is through the use of bushings. By placing a bushing with an inside diameter that matches the hole being drilled, the jig can be located and secured by lowering the drill press -- while the power is off -- into the metal bushing. Once clamped, the depth can be set for holes that don't go through the stock.