Blank Drilling Jig

This is a simple pen blank drilling jig and probably everyone on this forum already has one, either bought or home made. Just in case someone can use the idea..

I was having trouble drilling all the way through the blank and in achieving consistently placed holes. Plus, it was taking me forever! This jig seems to have solved all that. This is "Mark I" and I'll probably end up by refining it a few times. You can see it here.

wood is oak because that's what I had available. Two lengths 5" long, 2"wide and 11/4" thick. It is important to ensure that their lengths areidentical or the jig will be out of wack when assembled. Joint the bottomsurface so that the jig will sit flat on the drill press table. Place theboard sides together and run them along the router table fence over a 'v'bit. I placed the 'v' about 11/2" from the end. It is critical that the 'v'be exactly 90 degrees to the bottom face of the jig, Place the bottom of the jig on a flat surface, mark and install the hinge. Again, it is critical that the bottoms of the boards are parallel after the hinge is installed or the jig will 'rock' from one bottom face to the other.

Clamp a ¾" blank between the Vees then drill a hole from one side to the other to accept a ¼" bolt of the appropriate length. You'll note that the hole is perpendicular to one board but no so the other. Re-drill the (non-perpendicular) hole in the board that will be closest to the wing nut, a bit size or so, wider to allow 'play'. This will allow you to spread the jig a bit to get the blank in and out.

Chuck the appropriate size drill bit deep into the chuck. Place a blank in the jig, tighten the through bolt to hold it firmly in place. Align the blank just under the drill bit then clamp one side of the jig to the drill table. I used a clamp that came with my drill, available from tool stores. Drill the first blank as usual. I use an old toothbrush to clean the drill flutes and a shopvac to remove the dust and to help cool the drill bit. With this jig I have a 'free' hand J. Because my drill does not have enough travel, I cannot drill through the blank in one pass. When I have drilled down as far as the bit will go, I simply loosen the chuck, drop the drill bit down the ½" inch required, retighten the chuck and continue to drill through the blank. To drill the second blank (and any other blank of the same dimensions) simply re-chuck the drill bit, loosen the jig bolt, insert the new blank and drill away as before. When drilling grain-matched blanks, I mark facing corners of each blank so that I can orient them in the jig the same way. You can experiment with this to see what works best for you.