As mentioned previously, there are lots of ways to drill pipe, lugs etc. in stocks. There is a varying degree of risk with each method. Drilling by hand is probably the most risky. When webs are shrunk to the absolute minimum, there is very little room for error. I know it's easy to fall into the trap to think that if something has worked for you then it's good enough, but it's not always that simple. The safest and least risky method of drilling holes is to have the stock firmly held in a vise with the aid of a drill press. This can be used with a fully shaped stock if one uses a small 1/16" endmill or router bit to spot and partially drill the holes. The ones I use have a shank around 1/4" and are quite stiff. I've drilled holes with a hand drill and still do on occasion, but if you want to minimize fixing problems, there are better options. I personally don't care for fixing mistakes anymore than I have to. As far as originals go, the holes often go every which direction and are not typically square to anything. In talking to Wallace, drilling small holes with 18th century technology (bits included) is not a pleasant task and prone to problems.
