Axle hole measurement alignment.

[MBL Racing]

Hey guys,
I found DD4H about this time last year after a dismal showing in my sons derby. I was determined to find as much info as I could about building a better and obviously faster car. I am now helping out several other boys in my den since I figure I have all the tools and their dads aren't doing much to help them.

One of the missing links I'm finding is a way to perfectly mark my axle holes before drilling everytime. I use a square and/or combination square but have been still a little off at times and havent liked the only jig type thing I've seen available through Revell since it lines the holes up exactly where the top of the slots would be and I prefer to be higher than that.

Thanks for any feedback. I have a Proxxon and Silver Bullet.

Mark

 

[DerbyDad4Hire]

Build a spacer that seats on the back of the Silver bullet to line your drill bit up the same everytime.

 

[W racing]

I really like using this tool:

http://www.incra.com/product_bendrules.htm

And this one in tiny (although I wish I had the 6" as well.):

http://www.incra.com/product_t-rules.htm

 

[W racing]

The video is cool to:

http://incra.com/videos/BendRules.wmv

http://incra.com/videos/TRules.wmv

And when you are done you can go back and check the drilled holes.

 

[W racing]

I feel embarased because I did not see John's post before I posted about the measuring devices. We posted at about the same time. John's way is much better.

I do have a question though: How do you flip the silver bullet though? I flip 180 to do the right rear and then left rear axle...

Build a spacer that seats on the back of the Silver bullet to line your drill bit up the same everytime.

 

[MBL Racing]

Thanks allot I'm probably gonna' try both of these ideas.

 

[jator359]

John - I'm sorry I'm not following; by spacer do you mean like a fence?

Build a spacer that seats on the back of the Silver bullet to line your drill bit up the same everytime.

 

[GravityX]

Yes.. please elaborate.

John - I'm sorry I'm not following; by spacer do you mean like a fence?

Build a spacer that seats on the back of the Silver bullet to line your drill bit up the same everytime.

 

[Quicktimederby]

Here's how I do it. I have not done as many blocks as some but this way has been super accurate for me. On a adjustable square lock the square down to the depth of where you want your holes drilled. Lock your fence in and adjust your xy table to where the drill bit and the square just touch.

Drill the hole and flip.

Drill again and if you do it right you got perfect holes.
Here is the square that I use.

I hope that makes enough sense. Oh yea make sure the flat end of the square is on the silver bullet and not the block of wood.

 

[W racing]

That is very nice. That will save me a lot of bad blocks...

 

[Papa V Racing]

W Racing - Very cool find on the T Rules that will be handy ...

Quick-time.. Thanks for the pics it is always better with a pic for me visual aid kind of guy I am .. I have a block I cut for my son as he wanted to build something and I was wondering the same as others about different ways to be consistent. Pretty Cool guys thanks!!

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[MBL Racing]

Since I don't have the XY table yet I have been using the supplied fence that comes on the Proxxon base. The fence is ok but as anyone knows that has one to be completely accurate you have to have something else in the process. I figure by measuring and marking my holes precisely I can line the bit up confidantly. I'm still going to have to improve the table/fence set up on this thing.

Hey this is asking allot but if anyone could add pics of their XY setups I'd greatly appreciate it.

 

[Dixie Derby Dude]

Just curious,does anybody use a jig/fixture to drill pilot holes?
Then finish drilling with the block fixed flush against a piece of 90° angle aluminum on your drill press base.

 

[Quicktimederby]

I don't know of any other jig other than the Silver Bullet. As far as the 90 angle of fence, that is a must! mine is just a flat piece of aluminum. The xy table on the Proxxon is not so big so I have to space save. With pilot holes being that the rear holes are on a cant it seem like it would be a waste of time and the pilot holes can not be that deep because the would be straight in the block and the real holes are on a 2-3deg cant.

Just curious,does anybody use a jig/fixture to drill pilot holes?
Then finish drilling with the block fixed flush against a piece of 90° angle aluminum on your drill press base.

 

[Resophonic Racing]

Here's how I do it. I have not done as many blocks as some but this way has been super accurate for me. On a adjustable square lock the square down to the depth of where you want your holes drilled. Lock your fence in and adjust your xy table to where the drill bit and the square just touch.

Drill the hole and flip.

Drill again and if you do it right you got perfect holes. Here is the square that I use.

I hope that makes enough sense. Oh yea make sure the flat end of the square is on the silver bullet and not the block of wood.

Nice tip QT......Muchas Gracias

 

[rpenning1970]

does anyone have any idea where i can get a good but inexpensive x/y table for my drill press.

 

[pony express]

microscope stages are cheap and you zero in well. You can buy them on ebay and amazon. The best x-y tables are sherline. The proxxon are cheaper than sherline, but not as stable. Proxxon are what you want with a tight budget.