Metalworking (rec.crafts.metalworking) Discuss various aspects of working with metal, such as machining, welding, metal joining, screwing, casting, hardening/tempering, blacksmithing/forging, spinning and hammer work, sheet metal work.

 
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
Prev Previous Post   Next Post Next
  #1   Report Post  
Posted to rec.crafts.metalworking
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 741
Default Drilling Alignment Problem

I'm making a rack out of several ~ 9" long sections of 2 1/2" PVC pipe.
Each section of pipe is cut square on the bottom, and at a 45 degree
angle on the top end. The idea is to fasten them to a pair of horizontal
rails, using a through bolt on the bottom (which will prevent the objects
from falling out), and a short bolt through the back of the top wall with
the angle cut sloping forward & down. I have the tubes all cut, and now
I need to drill them.

The thing I'm pondering is how to best align the slopes so that I can
drill the holes on my mill. I can clamp the tubes horizontally using a
V-jaw in my vise, but I'd like to come up with a repeatable way of making
sure the holes are "square" to the sloping section. I need to make sure
the two holes in each tube are parallel to mate well with the rails. IF
I could be assured of repeatable rotational alignment, I could drill all
the holes in the square ends, and then all the holes in the beveled end.
This would be a lot faster than clamping each piece & cranking back &
forth 8 inches to drill both holes without removing each piece from the
vise.

The best idea I've come up with so far is to clamp a rod horizontally at
the approximate height of the middle of the tube. If the rod is square
to the mill, the rod can serve as a "stop" to push the tube against, and
it should force the slope to rotate & align correctly. I have one of
these that I could use:

http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRIT?PMAKA=TN337-9322

My only concern is if it's rigid enough & getting it aligned in the first
place.

I have a gut feeling that there ought to be a better way, either simpler
or more accurate, but I'm damned if I can think of one.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

Doug White
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules

Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Jointer alignment problem [email protected] Woodworking 2 September 6th 06 11:27 PM
Jointer alignment problem [email protected] Woodworking 2 September 6th 06 06:42 PM
9"SB Tailstock alignment problem David Rinker Metalworking 7 February 2nd 06 05:37 PM
Powermatic 64A Alignment Problem D Steck Woodworking 1 June 29th 05 01:08 PM
Single bar bed, tailstock alignment problem. LesC Woodturning 3 October 29th 04 12:43 PM


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 01:37 PM.

Powered by vBulletin® Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004-2024 DIYbanter.
The comments are property of their posters.
 

About Us

"It's about DIY & home improvement"