Mastering Precision Drilling: How to Use Drill Guides

Learn how to tackle the finicky business of drilling a straight hole through a round, slippery surface with the help of a drill guide.

By
Drew Frye
-
Published:
2
A V-Guide in use on stainless pulpit railing. V-Guides keep your drill bit from walking off either side of the curved surface. They are a helpful tool in this scenario since stainless requires steady, slow, lubricated pressure to drill properly.
A V-Guide in use on stainless pulpit railing. V-Guides keep your drill bit from walking off either side of the curved surface. They are a helpful tool in this scenario since stainless requires steady, slow, lubricated pressure to drill properly. (Photo/ Drew Frye)

Poking a ⅜-in. bit into wood is simple enough. Place the bit on the mark, sight the drill from two directions at 90 degrees to make sure it is straight, and drill away. A hole in flat metal plate is simple enough, with the added step of center punching the mark to discourage the bit from wandering. The center bit of a hole saw will guide it true. But there are trickier cases, where the drill wants to wander everywhere but where you want it. They all have simple solutions.

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Drew Frye
Drew Frye
Drew Frye, Practical Sailor’s technical editor, has used his background in chemistry and engineering to help guide Practical Sailor toward some of the most important topics covered during the past 10 years. His in-depth reporting on everything from anchors to safety tethers to fuel additives have netted multiple awards from Boating Writers International. With more than three decades of experience as a refinery engineer and a sailor, he has a knack for discovering money-saving “home-brew” products or “hacks” that make boating affordable for almost anyone. He has conducted dozens of tests for Practical Sailor and published over 200 articles on sailing equipment. His rigorous testing has prompted the improvement and introduction of several marine products that might not exist without his input. His book “Rigging Modern Anchors” has won wide praise for introducing the use of modern materials and novel techniques to solve an array of anchoring challenges. 

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2 COMMENTS

  1. Thank you for the excellent article! Having acquired an 18 year old boat a couple of years ago and almost never hiring out for repairs and maintenance I have struggled with several of the things you mention here. The methods you discuss are sure to help me on future projects. FYI, I figured out the method of using a drilled scrap of plywood as a template to drill a larger hole while replacing my deck mounted windlass switches on my on. I was very proud of the results! You definitely have to be resourceful if you own an old boat and are not wealthy.