Advice needed on drilling through the stem

[Guest Florin]

I bought an 18" auger bit for drilling through the stem where the threaded rods go. Did you guys use a specially made gig to ensure the bit goes in straight, or did you just eyeball it? I really don't want it to go crooked and come out the side of the hull :-). I'd hate to have to paint again.

Thanks

Florin

[JTam]

Get a "drill guide" attachment for your drill. I used mine to drill all the through hole on my boat.

The link below shows an example of what a drill guide looks like:

[www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=47393]

Should be able to get one where ever drills are sold.

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[Florin {VACATIONER}]

Thanks,

It loks like a usefull tool to have in my arsenal. How did you make sure it sits level on the edge of the keel?

[Barry Pyeatt]

Make up a "U" Channel with a flat platform on the bottom of the "U". The space down the middle should be the same width as the stem. Mark the exact center and drill a pilot hole at that location. Invert it and slip it over the stem, clamp it in place and drill your hole using the drill guide. You can start the hole with a shorter length bit and once it is that depth, the longer bit will track the hole nice and straight.

[Florin {VACATIONER}]

Barry, that's exactly what I was envisioning. Good thinking. That's how I'll build it. The only thing I've had different is the drill bit is an auger and has it's own pilot in the tip so I can't drill other pilot holes. I will attach a tube to my jig which will guide the bit (the bit will go right through the tube) That should help guide the bit pretty straight.

Thanks

[Joel]

I made a small jig and clamped it to the keel(see the attached picture). This may not be the best way...but it worked for me. I have use a lot of long drill bits in my work as an electrician. I have found you just need a reference point to line the bit up with

joel

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[Florin {VACATIONER}]

That looks simple enough and looks like it would work ok.

Thanks

[Barry Pyeatt]

I saw a tip sometime back on some other site about using a small mirror with a hole in the middle. If you set the mirror on the flat surface with double faced tape and centered over the drill hole, you can see the reflection of the drill bits shaft in the mirror. Any deviation from absolutely straight is immediately apparent.

I remember my father having such a mirror (about 4" in diameter) that was used for signaling, the hole for sighting the direction. He had it in his workshop but I never understood why. He drilled a lot of holes with a brace and bit and hand augers. Now I realize what he used it for. I saw similar mirrors at an Army Surplus store and at outfitters stores in the past as well. It is possible to drill a hole in the glass mirror yourself with the right bit. Any glass shop can probably take care of it as well.