Zenith Aircraft Builders and Flyers
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Instrument cut-out drill template.
Hello all.
I know there are a few panel cut-out drill guide templates on the market but I've never liked the way they they work, or they are difficult to hold in place without them moving or being off level when you mark the holes.
Not being one to settle for "good enough" I decided to build a better mousetrap.
Here is the prototype I have designed. So far it works perfectly. It fits exactly in the panel cut outs, (both 3-1/8" and 2-1/4" on the same template). Alignment is easy, and the mounting holes are dead on every time.
This prototype is made of plywood which works great, but a final design will be plastic for better durability and even better accuracy.
I cut this out on our laser so it is accurate to about .003"
If there is interest from the community, for this, I may make them available for sale.
Let me know your thoughts.
Peter
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Permalink Reply by Bob Simmons on
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Might I suggest gluing some appropriately sized washers to the holes so they don't accidentally get enlarged when someone uses the drill guide? You know they will.
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Permalink Reply by P. Richards on
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Great idea Bob!
How about some 1/4"OD by 1/8"ID Steel tube inset in to the material?
That should keep the bits from wearing the template out too quickly, and I could supply spares in case they needed to be replaced.
Peter
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Sounds good. Depending on the plastic used, a buyer should be able to squeeze those in and out to replace them.
You might also want to consider using a smaller tube. That way, the user only uses the template to drill a pilot hole. Then they remove the template to use a larger bit to make the final hole.
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