Baseplate Drilling Tool

[kumowoon1025]

What kind of tool do I need to drill mounting holes in an aluminum baseplate? Would I need a full-blown drill press? I was thinking about using a hand drill, but wouldn't it be hard to keep it aligned through 1/2 of aluminum? What do you guys use?

 

[Bionic-Badger]

You can use a hand drill, but a drill press helps because you can ensure that the holes are straight and aligned, and you can do them relatively quickly. I'm not sure how easy it is to hand-drill through some metals. The bit may catch and take more time as well.

 

[Things]

Aluminium is a soft metal, hand drills are fine. Drill presses are just faster.

 

[kumowoon1025]

Aluminium is a soft metal, hand drills are fine. Drill presses are just faster.

I was more worried about the alignment tho...
I remember there was some kind of alignment guide for dremels, is there the same thing for hand drills?

 

[Things]

Some hand drills have a small spirit level tube on them.

Though, alignment isn't mega crucial for the drill holes. As long as you're not completely off it'll be fine.

 

[lasersbee]

What kind of tool do I need to drill mounting holes in an aluminum baseplate? Would I need a full-blown drill press? I was thinking about using a hand drill, but wouldn't it be hard to keep it aligned through 1/2 of aluminum? What do you guys use?

You could get a block of aluminum (for example) that has at least
one level side. Than have someone with a Drill Press drill the proper
size hole. that you want to use on the plate holes, into the block with
the level side facing down.

You can then use that block to drill your holes at 90 deg to the plate.


Jerry