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Drilling holes in a straight line, how?
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lectroluv, <br /> <br />why did'nt you say you are into finescale modeling. we are going to have to add a couple more steps to the four i mentioned above: if you are going for an nbw on a bridge or something; simply eyeball it (that's what a carpenter hanging in space would do). <br /> <br />when we get to hand grabs or railings on a big dollar item (a pullman car maybe), then the slightest error in positioning will jump right out at you! no self respecting carpenter would ever do sloppy work, so even if you are building a "ruin", the initial work would have been done perfectly. <br /> <br />i build in 1/4" scale and even then it is practically impossible to mark a project with perfect accuracy. after the initial marks are made with a pencil, i will stand back and see just how accurate the marks are (their pattern will look right , or not). <br /> <br />next i will use a very sharp, needle point, scratch awl to either "centerpunch" the mark, or the adjusted place it should be. i do this lightly in case i need further adjustment. i use a magnifier because i need it, and it helps with my accuracy ("aim small, miss small"). <br /> <br />basswood is very fine grained, but it has enough to deflect your drillbit, so the centerpunch step is also to "break the grain" so the hole ends up where you want it instead of the other way around. if all the punchmarks look right, then i drill. usually there is one or two renegades that will need special attention in order to be perfect. for these i angle the smallest drillbit i dare use toward where i want the hole to end up. i will successively enlarge the hole in this fashion until the proper diameter hole exists. with skill and luck, this usually works. <br /> <br />i use a pin vice, and i wish i had a drillpress. gasturbine's offer is a good one, if i had a standard pattern, i would have him make me a jig. things would be so much easier. <br /> <br />i am way good at this because i have high standards, and i have done everything wrong at least once. my early work is farther back, and i run the good stuff closer to the front. keep your standards high and you will be way good also. <br /> <br />hope this helps, <br />-rrick
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