getting butt plate screw straight

[Joe S.]

sometimes using a hand drill makes it hard to get that screw as straight as possible.Bushing has draft filed on it and drops right into your countersink,centers the screw over the clearance hole.While also magnetic a drop of glue around it holds it in place.Probably thinking to much and you would think one could do it by eye.Always looking to build a better mouse trap[ ]

[Dave B]

That will do the trick.  I have found that a Vix bit will do the same thing for you. The spring loaded barrel of the bit keeps you centered in the counter sunk hole while you determine the angle you want to drill, push the drill bit in and your done.  it is still possible to get your angles off with this if your not careful. With your way you keep the correct angle more secure.

[Robert Wolfe]

So you guys are drilling the countersink first, then the through-hole?

[Joe S.]

to be honest I'm trying to correct a problem.My first hole was not as straight as it could be and as the screw was tightened into the countersink it would pull the plate some causing small gaps.Dave I like that vix bit

[frogwalking]

I must be exceptionally talented.  I can drill a crooked hole with a Vix bit.

[Dave B]

Robert, The hole is drilled in the butt plate and then counter sink the hole. Only then do you use the Vix bit. They come in various sizes, so get the vix bit that is going to engage your countersink the best.

[Boompa]

  I use gimlets or hand drills, that way I can see the angle of the hole as I'm turning the tool.

[Bob Roller]

I must be exceptionally talented.  I can drill a crooked hole with a Vix bit.

Frogwalking,
There are some that can destroy an anvil with a rubber hubcap hammer.

Bob Roller

[Jerry V Lape]

Bob Roller there is a military equivalent of that rubber hubcap hammer analogy.  Put a GI on a desert island with nothing except a rubber mallet and a 300 lb anvil.  Come back in 3 days and he will not only have broken the anvil but the mallet will be lost as well.  Having been a GI myself for 27 years I know this is not meant in disrespect - just humor.   

[PPatch]

  I use gimlets or hand drills, that way I can see the angle of the hole as I'm turning the tool.

I do the same and it is a good method.



dave

[Bob Roller]

Bob Roller there is a military equivalent of that rubber hubcap hammer analogy.  Put a GI on a desert island with nothing except a rubber mallet and a 300 lb anvil.  Come back in 3 days and he will not only have broken the anvil but the mallet will be lost as well.  Having been a GI myself for 27 years I know this is not meant in disrespect - just humor.   

Jerry,
I was in the Army and later National Guard for 9 years,6 July 1954-6 July 1963 and am well aware of the analogies
like "He'd be out of step in a one man parade" or "There is a right way,a wrong way and then the ARMY way".
Thanks for your service and the same to all on this forum no matter what branch you served in. All of us gave some
and some gave their all.

Bob Roller

[Turtle]

I DRILL MY FIRST HOLE IN THE BUT PLATE THE SIZE OF THE POLOT HOLE I PLAD TO DRILL IN THE WOOD into the stock. then its perfectly centered in the hole in the buttplate when I enlarge it.
                                     Turtle

[Hungry Horse]

 Think spell check.

  Hungry Horse

[Acer Saccharum]

It took me three times to get a BP hole right once. I drilled out the crooked hole, glued in a dowel of same wood. Re-drilled. Still crooked. Plugged with a bigger dowel. Got it right that time. 

[PPatch]

It took me three times to get a BP hole right once. I drilled out the crooked hole, glued in a dowel of same wood. Re-drilled. Still crooked. Plugged with a bigger dowel. Got it right that time. 

I had to to the very same on my Lancaster, with BOTH holes... 

dave

[Eric Krewson]

I drilled and plugged so many top screw holes on my fowler build I lost track of how many dowels went in, I think the number is 5.

I am a beginner and have never drilled a buttplate hole right the first time.

I bought some gimlets of ebay but they were a waste of money, they don't start into the wood worth a hoot. I just ordered a better set from Wade Garrett.

[Keb]

I was always plugging holes in the butt. I found a couple gimlets and started using them. Bingo.
I have to admit I didn't know what a gimlet was until it was discussed in a thread here a while back. They were just a couple wood handled things stuffed away in the back of a drawer in Salvo's old shop. Thanks.

[Joe S.]

Thanks for saying it happened to the best of us,makes me feel a little better.I plugged it once and had to think about a way of getting right on the next try.I did not want to plug it a second time.The bushing in the first photo got it spot on straight.

[Dewster257]

Thought maybe I was cross-eyed. I had to plug and redrill three holes on my first build and then I discovered gimlets on this web site. Took me three years and I just finished it two weeks ago. OK I'm slow as well as cross- eyed ,  it's a wonder I ever finished.

[Turtle]

 It may be poorly spelled, but it works.
                               Turtle