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How to Drill Level Holes In a Fence Post: Drill-Bit Plumb Bob

Chuck Miller, special-issues editor

38 users recommend

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Fool-proof horizontal holes

Dave Herbert from Lawrence Harbor, New Jersey writes:

If you're having trouble drilling a horizontal hole with an electric drill, try hanging a plumb line from the bit's shank as you bore the hole. I use a brass keyring or a shower-curtain ring and let it ride on the shank. From it I hang a string tied to a couple of washers. When a spinning bit is held level, the weight will hang in place. Make sure the ring doesn't get hung up in the spinning chuck.

In this video tip, I used an eye-bolt with several nuts and washers, instead of Dave Herbert's ring, string, and washer combination. I tilted the drill back and forth so you could see the difference between not level and level. 

It's easy to eyeball how level the drill is perpendicular to the line we've drawn across the post; it's the up and down that's hard to do.

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Comments (6)

Fonzie777 writes: Practical and simple - thanks.
Posted: 10:03 pm on November 11th

chascomp writes: It also gives time to get back to the shop with the wet brush and clean it better in the shop than in the customer's home. AND, you get to drink a beer while you do it
Posted: 7:41 pm on September 27th

Lensbuyer writes: Now, that's a really nifty one. What a time saver!
Posted: 11:45 am on September 27th

djsmith9 writes: When I had this problem I hammered a 3 1/2" nail into the wood right next to the intended hole and carefully lined it up with a level. That way I could sight down and from the side to see if my drill was headed right. It's most important to get the drill started on the right path because it's impossible to change once it's more than an 1" or so in. It was easy to do so with the nail there.
Posted: 11:31 am on September 27th

johnlithgow writes: Great ideas, all three of them.
Good presenter, new information, and helpful to boot.
Posted: 8:58 am on September 27th

rmurbach writes: No captioning for viewers with hearing loss (open or closed).
Posted: 4:49 am on September 27th

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