Grizzly drilling jig any good?

[badger]

I have a gift certificate to Amazon, and I ran across this jig for sale through them.

Any one use this? I have a homemade jig right now, and it's not drilling straight. I know there are way better vises out there, but I was wondering if anyone had any experience good or bad with this one? I'll upgrade later, but I need to sell some pens first, and I have a chance to get his now.

badger

 

[ahoiberg]

seems to me you could build a version of this pretty easily... i think Lee (firefighter-emt - I THINK) has done one a lot like this, perhaps he'd share his design.

 

[bjackman]

Badger,
I think that jig will do just fine for you for quite some time. I started out with a similar one I made myself. I eventually upgraded to what I consider the best vise out there made by our own Paul Huffman. I still use that jig to hold blanks while I square the ends with the penmill.

 

[rherrell]

I made one like that when I first started and if I would have used hardwood instead of a 2x4 I'd still be using it. They work fine.

 

[rhahnfl]

It should work for you but I prefer the Paul Huffman myself. Don't think there is a better one out there.

 

[badger]

Originally posted by bjackman

Badger,
I think that jig will do just fine for you for quite some time. I started out with a similar one I made myself. I eventually upgraded to what I consider the best vise out there made by our own Paul Huffman. I still use that jig to hold blanks while I square the ends with the penmill.

I've seen that one, it's a thing of well engineered beauty. But currently out of my price range.

badger

 

[LostintheWoods]

I have one of these. Initially used it to drill blanks, and wasn't real impressed, so bought a centering vise for drilling chores. I now use this to hold blanks for squaring the ends, and its excellent in that capacity. If I had to start from scratch, I wouldn't have this particular tool in my inventory. BTW If I'm not mistaken, this is actually from HUT, and merely marketed by Grizzly.

 

[edman2]

Brander,
That is the one I started with. I used a c-clamp to hold one side to my drill press table. I have upgraded now and am on the list for a ph design. It is an ok place to start until your budget increases. It's not a lot of money so when you move on to something else you don't have to worry so much about it.

 

[R2]

That's a neat looking Jig1 Make a copy for yourself.[]

 

[stevers]

The jig can be copied and constructed true and straight. The trick is to have your drill press table true and straight. If this is done, any accurately made jig will work well. The drill press table being perfectly aligned to the bit is the most important part. And this turned out to be more difficult than I expected.