Bottlehead Forum

Bottlehead Kits => Crack => Topic started by: Jeb Jeb on May 25, 2015, 07:20:49 AM

Title: Drilling the top-plate
Post by: Jeb Jeb on May 25, 2015, 07:20:49 AM

Hi guys -sorry for another rookie DIY question:  just wondered how easy is it to drill through the aluminium top plate of the Crack with a regular (but pretty decent) cordless hand-drill and HSS drill-bit?  Can I just leave the plate in situ on the wooden base, clamp it down,  and then carefully drill through or does it really require a proper drill-press.

I ask because I don't want to make a mess of my top-plate with experimenting, so any advice and drilling tips would be great !   I'm not looking to drill large holes - just some small 5-6mm holes to secure the top plate to pieces of wood with threaded inserts fitted to the insides of the wooden base. 

Cheers!

Jeb.

 :)

Title: Re: Drilling the top-plate
Post by: Nathan on May 25, 2015, 07:43:42 AM

I've drilled the top plate with a hand drill - it was very easy.

Title: Re: Drilling the top-plate
Post by: fullheadofnothing on May 25, 2015, 08:12:34 AM

A cordless drill will certainly work. The rest of your plan sounds like a recipe for disaster, though. One slip and you've messed up your base...

Clamp your plate to a piece of scrap wood to give the bit something to go into on the other side and you will get a cleaner hole. Don't forget to center punch to prevent wandering.

Title: Re: Drilling the top-plate
Post by: Jeb Jeb on May 25, 2015, 08:53:12 AM

Thank you guys!  Great tips!  Much appreciated.    :)