Locating A Part To Be Drilled On Center. ?

[WesPete66]

How does one set up a piece of round bar stock when you want to drill a small cross hole, with the hole perpendicular to part's center line (like for a spring pin or cotter)? My first attempt at locating it by eye wasn't so good, and the cotter was visibly not on center. (.75 dia bar & .12 thru hole)
I have a basic drill press with a plain vise I can attach to the table (with no x / y movement). I do have dial indicators & base, but I have no means of measuring movement on X / Y axis.
Also should I center drill first to keep the drill from pushing off the round stock?

 

[Ed ke6bnl]

One good way is to lay a small scale on top of round part and lower drill bit to scale and move so scale is parallel to table

 

[Ulma Doctor]

an easy way to do it is to make a small flat on the rod when chucked in a vice, this will locate the center.
drill on the small flat and you'll hit center everytime

 

[Kernbigo]

both are very similar to the way i do it, put a center drill in the chuck lower it down tell you touch the piece, then move it back and forth tell there is line on the piece, find center of the line and drill the center hole.

 

[kenscabs]

An XY table with an edge finder would be the most accurate. I've used this little gizmo for non critical cross holes.

 

[Wreck™Wreck]

An XY table with an edge finder would be the most accurate. I've used this little gizmo for non critical cross holes.

View attachment 131431

I have one of these tools, one of the most inaccurate tools that I have ever bought, I will give it away to the first person that wants it, shipping included.
As to the question asked touch off one side and move on from there, simple and expedient.

 

[TOOLMASTER]

i like to run a mill bit across the top just enough to give a bit a flat to start on, it also gives you the center

 

[jtrain]

Interesting question and replies. Made me think of the method to set lathe tool height by placing a 6 inch pocket ruler until it is perpendicular. The ruler should work horizontally on the drill press.

 

[kd4gij]

I use a V block. Center the V block under the center drill and when you lay the bar it it is centered. If you don't have a V block a piece of angle iron will work.

 

[WesPete66]

Thanks to all for the replies!
Actually I was looking at the v-blocks recently, the ones with the groove cut in the bottom that lets you align a drill bit to the slot. Are those worth the money? It's gotta be better than what I have now..