Author Topic: Vix  (Read 5194 times)

Offline Roger Fisher

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Vix
« on: April 16, 2009, 05:59:22 PM »
Anyone out there use the screw hole centering gizmo called 'vix'  ???  I'm doing that by eye and my old eyes leave me down at times.  What do you think of the item?

George F.

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Re: Vix
« Reply #1 on: April 16, 2009, 07:01:18 PM »
I've used VIX bits for years installing cabinet hardware. The problem with them is they can scoot around under vibration in the countersink, and if your not square with your work when drilling, your hole will be off center. Your best bet is to use a center punch with a wide cone so it sits in the countersink. Jerry H. showed a picture of a small block with a hole drilled on the drill press that he uses as a guide to drill the holes true. Or you can taper a small bit, putting a point on it, mark the hole then punt the pointed bit in the center, this works for me getting the screw in the center. If you have a VIX bit, try it out on some scrap and see if you like it. ...Geo.

Offline Dave B

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Re: Vix
« Reply #2 on: April 16, 2009, 07:44:28 PM »
I really like using mine. I have several sizes depending on the size of the counter sunk hole. If you have the correct size for your counter sink you have fewer problems with wandering. I don't drill the complete hole in one go however. I have a shank size to start then finish with a pilot. I have a lot fewer problems with screws not fitting into their counter sinks since I started using them.
Dave Blaisdell

Online tallbear

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Re: Vix
« Reply #3 on: April 16, 2009, 08:25:19 PM »
Roger
I've used them for years,wouldn't be without them.They come in three different sizes for different size screws and counter sinks.You can also get rebuild kits for them as they wear.

Link to my supplier;http://wwhardware.com/catalog.cfm/GroupID/Drill%20%26%20Router%20Bits/CatID/Drill%20Bits/SubCatID/Vix%20Bits%20Self%20Centering%20Guide

Mitch
« Last Edit: April 16, 2009, 08:26:49 PM by tallbear »

Offline P.W.Berkuta

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Re: Vix
« Reply #4 on: April 16, 2009, 09:22:00 PM »
On flat surfaces they do great as long as you hold the drill 90 degrees to the surface. On curved surfaces it is a little more difficult to keep the drill at 90 degrees. I use the VIX bit 75% 0f the time and most of the time it works well - its not "fool proof".
"The person who says it cannot be done should not interrupt the person who is doing it." - Chinese proverb

Sam Everly

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Re: Vix
« Reply #5 on: April 18, 2009, 01:16:44 AM »
Roger, never used the bits ! But when i was a kid, mom would rub it on my chest and stick it up my nose when i had a cold !  :D

Scott Semmel

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Re: Vix
« Reply #6 on: April 19, 2009, 11:53:43 PM »
Didn't know what a vix was till I googled it. Never tried one but finding a center without my set of transfer punches would be a real challenge for me. I don't know if "transfer punch" is the correct name they are the set that has a center punch for all fractional drill sizes.

Offline Don Getz

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Re: Vix
« Reply #7 on: April 20, 2009, 03:18:43 AM »
Sam.   That was my thought too.  My mother, who was an old "dutchified" lady, Roger will know what I mean there, used
to call it "Wix", same thing with Winegar, etc.  My oldest brother married a girl from New Orleans, met when he was in the service.   After they married, they lived in our house for a few weeks before they could get an apartment.    When I got a
cold, my mother told her, " don't worry, I'll chust put some wix in his nose" .  Of course, this was something new, especially to a southern girl, and she couldn't figure out how she was going to do this, and how it would help my cold,
thinking all the time that she was talking about "wicks", such as candle wicks.  We got a big laugh out of that one....Don

Offline David Veith

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Re: Vix
« Reply #8 on: April 20, 2009, 05:00:32 PM »
Not to seal but it was Hot goose grease for me as a kid.
David Veith
David Veith