How to drill hole through dowel?

[SarahK1996]

Hey brains trust!

I am looking for help with the correct way to drill 2 holes straight through this dowel without splitting it (so a hole each side) so that I can feed through a rope either side and creating a hanging clothing rack. Would love recommendations on best tools to use and drill bit etc.

Thanks legends!

[Noyade]

Afternoon Sarah - @SarahK1996 

What size is the dowel diameter?

What size hole are you wanting to drill?

Look, there are probably many ways and better ways of doing it, but scrounging through some old tools - you used to be able to buy very cheap 'drill presses' that accommodate the average powered drill. In your case, the dowel would be held in the two 'V' mounts.

They were actually quite good and accurate - but I then moved onto the dedicated geared drill presses.

But can you still buy them - I don't know?

Just a wet Saturday thought! 👍

Cheers!

[SarahK1996]

Hey legend! It’s 25.4mm diameter and I’m just wanting the holes to be just big enough to thread some macrame style rope through! 

Yes I have seen these but didn’t went to have to purchase anything else! I do have clamps I can use and a saw horse if needed too but just want to use my current drill/drill bits/masonary bits if possible!

[JacobZ]

Hi @SarahK1996,

The drilling itself wouldn't be too hard; finding a way to stop the dowel moving is the main difficulty.

If you mark the hole locations, then use a nail punch to create a small hole to help seat the drill bit, it would just be a case of starting with a small diameter drill bit, such as a 3mm Drill Bit, ensuring you hold the drill so that it goes straight through the dowel, then working up to the required diameter. 

It shouldn't be too difficult to just use two Quick Action Clamps to hold the dowel in place while drilling. If you clamp it in place and find that it is rotating more than you'd like, then using a vice such as this Craftright 50mm Hobby Vice would be my next step.

If the vice didn't work, maybe using something like this Antsig Antenna Mount U-bolt attached to your saw horse could help hold the dowel in place.

Let me know what you think and if you have further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Jacob

[AlanM52]

Hi @SarahK1996,

Simply cable tie the dowel to your sawhorse and if needed also use the clamps.

You can also use something from packaging like a couple of pieces of foam or even cardboard between the dowel and the sawhorse which would help  stop it turning.

Cheers

[SarahK1996]

Hey Jacob!

Thanks so much legend. Appreciate it! Worked perfectly!

[SarahK1996]

Thanks so much for the tip Alan!

[SarahK1996]

 Hey Jacob!

On this note too, we only have a Ryobi impact driver which I usually use a connector from there for drill bits we have out of the pack we have (attached a photo) however we don’t have one for smaller drill bits like 3mm. Is there such thing as an adapter for this for future reference? 

[JacobZ]

Hi @SarahK1996,

You could use an Irwin Impact Pro Keyless Chuck, but it would likely be easier to just purchase impact drill bits like this Kango Hypertorque™ 3mm Impact HSS Drill Bit.

Either would work; it just depends on your preference.

Let me know what you think.

Jacob

[SarahK1996]

Thanks legend!!! Secured!