drilling straight holes

[X]

Just got my first drill press. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to drill straight holes in an MHS part on a drill press without using a vblock?

[Jak'Kan-Ur]

Hold the MHS under your hand and go all the way through. lol jk
Vice? or.? what would you use it to hold it.?

[X]

I use a vise to hold it but the hole I made was still at an angle which puts halfmoon cuts in my blade and makes the screw look like crap(well at least to me)

[Jay-gon Jinn]

A v-block would be the best way to go, but if you don't have one, then just get the part lined up a best you can in the vise and drill it. I sometimes usse a small block of wood under the part, and two more on the sides to grip it like this:
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o141/Jay-gon_Jinn/My%20Second%20Chrome%20MHS%20and%20Hardware%20Sabe r/2nd-MHS-hardware-saber-14.jpg
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o141/Jay-gon_Jinn/My%20Polished%20Brass%20MHS%20and%20Sinktube%20Sab er/Brass_MHS_saber_7.jpg

And sometimes I don't:
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o141/Jay-gon_Jinn/My%20Third%20MHS%20and%20Sinktube%20Saber/000_0418.jpg
These vise jaws have small steps machined into them to help hold the part level in the vise. The jaws are also replaceable, and I've considered having some custom made to fit the curvature of the MHS parts to better grip them.

[xwingband]

Hold the MHS under your hand and go all the way through.

Been there... done that. No fun at all.

[Jak'Kan-Ur]

You are making sure it is centered right.? Like not on the side directly in the center. right.? the highest point pointing up that is.

[X]

thanks jay gon i'll try that

[Jay-gon Jinn]

The best way to make sure it's centered is to measure the distance on both sides of the drill bit to the edge of the part. This is easiest if you have a micrometer or even some calipers, but if not, a tape measure will suffice.

[xl97]

the mention of the v-block.. or self centering drill press jig is a good option..

however make sure that you measure and mount either botls, or quick release mounting for the jig in a centered fashion..

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=92046

[Hasid Lafre]

Hay xwing dident you get a shirt with that?

I agree with jay with the wood

[Barmic Rin]

So X-wing, did you drill all the way through the MHS, or your hand!!??!!!


JK!!!

Seriously, use a vice where poss, held tight, but not too tight, else you'll squeeze it out of shape.
My Amber screwed up when I drilled the hole at an angle, so had to resort to using a larger screw! GRR!!!