[How do I?] Center On A Part To Drill A Hole

[JimDawson]

This one is not as easy as it sounds in the title.

The material doesn't matter. The quantity of parts will be in the 1000's. The hole must be drilled.

The part is variable width, about 7/16 to 1/2 inch wide and about 1 1/2 inch long, about 3/16 thick. The hole will be drilled a fixed distance from the end, through the 3/16 thickness, and centered across the width +/- 0.005 or so.

Measuring each piece and edge finding is out of the question.

I need an idea for a simple, mechanical, auto-centering, vice-like fixture that could be mounted in a small drill press.

 

[Franko]

If you have to drill thousands of them, maybe this would be a good excuse to get a centering vise.

 

[darkzero]

They're not cheap, that's for sure. Not sure how well it repeats but Grizzly offers a small 2" self centering vise that would accomodate this. $155 doesn't seem like that great of a deal to me for it but if you have to do thousands of them it's worth the time saved. https://www.grizzly.com/products/2-Mini-Self-Centering-Vise/T10254

You could probably make one if you have the time.

 

[GK1918]

KISS two pieces of angle iron and two or more C clamps - if I'm reading this correctly

 

[turnitupper]

Piece of angle,sprung door hinge at one end to keep work level,lever with pin in center of angle to push down and hold work,stop at other end of angle for end of work. hope this makes sense.
John

 

[Karl_T]

You said 1000's.

Get a pneumatic vice. Grind two "V" slots in jaws. Mount vice vertical.

Air on to clamp, off to remove and install next part.

 

[timvercoe]

Checked out the "Grizzly self centering vise" that sure looks slick. Then mount a stop at correct distance from end. Still thousands of parts.............some kind of automated machine while I drink coffee...........

They're not cheap, that's for sure. Not sure how well it repeats but Grizzly offers a small 2" self centering vise that would accomodate this. $155 doesn't seem like that great of a deal to me for it but if you have to do thousands of them it's worth the time saved. https://www.grizzly.com/products/2-Mini-Self-Centering-Vise/T10254

You could probably make one if you have the time.

Tim

 

[darkzero]

Still thousands of parts.............some kind of automated machine while I drink coffee...........

That's what machinists have kids for.

 

[Karl_T]

Hmm. didn't know about the time limit to edit. So I'll add to my post here.

Here's the vice
http://www.ebay.com/itm/HEINRICH-Si...263?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ede556de7

If you've got CNC, close the vice with an Mcode. Drill hole, open vice.

Now all operator has to do is stick part in and hit the cycle start button.

Karl

 

[turnitupper]

A revision of my last (first) post, you do not need the lever to hold the work down.Just use a heavy spring mounted on your drill press spindle (not the spinning part) to press on the work as you lower the drill.This eliminates the third hand which is something that I am not equipped with unfortunately as it would come in handy. Might try a forearm graft on the elbow. Ears on mice work .