How to drill a cenetered hole in end of solid rod

Chris W wrote in message news:pIDed.78756$cJ3.45421@fed1read06...
Scott wrote:

I need to make a specialized tool and am looking for a way to drill a
1/16" hole EXACTLY in the center of the end of a piece of say 1/2" of
3/4" solid aluminum rod. In other words, I am trying to make
something similar to a screwdriver using solid aluminum rod for the
handle and 1/16" brass rod as the blade.

Put the 1/2" round in your drill press chuck. Clamp a small table top
clamp to the end of the round sticking out of the drill chuck.
Carefully lower the spindle till the clamp is on the drill press table.
Carefully clamp the table top clamp to the drill press table. Now
release the chuck raise the spindle, put in the 1/16' drill bit and
drill the hole. I've never tired it but it should work pretty well.

--
Chris W

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What I do for wood dowels is, get different size washers with
different size holes. Find one that is the same size as the dowel your
drilling and use the washer as a guide.
lou

Scott wrote:

I need to make a specialized tool and am looking for a way to drill a
1/16" hole EXACTLY in the center of the end of a piece of say 1/2" of
3/4" solid aluminum rod. In other words, I am trying to make
something similar to a screwdriver using solid aluminum rod for the
handle and 1/16" brass rod as the blade.

Find a set of thin-wall tubes that just fit inside each other so they
will "telescope". Brass tubes from a hobby store work well. The
largest tube ID should just fit the OD of your rod. Keep placing the
tubes inside each other until the ID of the innermost tube is
approximately the same size as your drill bit. The length of the tubes
should be cut so that your drill bit will reach all the way down to the
rod stock. Lube, stick in the bit, and drill. This will pretty much
guarantee a perfectly centered and aligned hole. I've used this
technique successfully many times.

Regards,

-Doug