Robert Allison wrote:
MiamiCuse wrote:

I need to drill a 5/8" diameter hole through a laminated beam that is
16" deep. This beam is sitting 10 feet above the floor across a room
support part of the roof. So I will be standing on a bench drilling
from below pushing the drill up.

I need this hole to be perfectly vertical as I will be passing a rod
through for a ceiling fan.

I know in the past when I had to drill through something much thinner
like a 2x4, I often end up with a slanted hole.

What can I do to ensure my drill is perfectly vertical?

I cannot afford to make a mistake and redrill.

Thanks,

MC


If it were me, I would drill the hole through the beam, then hang the
ceiling fan from the beam and use the hole for just the wire.

In the off chance that you MUST do it like you are stating, then there
isn't really an inexpensive method of making SURE that it is perfectly
plumb. I would assume that you are using an auger bit. If so, then you
can take a block of wood say six inches thick and, using a drill press,
drill a hole straight through the block. You can then use the block as
a guide for your drill bit to hold it square with the bottom of the beam.

I have also used torpedo levels to line up my auger bit, then drilled by
hand, checking every so often with the level to make sure my bit is
plumb. When I can't get the level on it anymore, then it will usually
guide itself the rest of the way.


I wouldn't invade the beam at all- I'd build a hollow 'U' out of
matching wood that fits over the beam from below, and trim out so it
looks like it belongs there. If the beam is sloped, you can make it look
like the added block was for purpose of giving a flat mounting point.

Hard to give good options without seeing it.

--
aem sends...