Printing Press

Step 11: STEP NINE: Drill holes for threaded rods.

The three sets of boards, A boards and the B boards, that were bolted together in Step Eight will be aligned vertically.  One set of the A boards and the B boards will be secured to the threaded rods with washers and nuts.  The other set of the A boards will be allowed to slide along the length the rod.

1. Set B Boards on a level surface with the cut out side down.  The lag bolts should be horizontal to the ground.
2. Place one of set of A boards on top of the set of B Boards.  The heads of the lag bolts of both sets of boards should be facing the same direction.
3. Align the edges.
4. Clamp the two sets of boards together very, very tightly.
5. Using the power drill or drill press and a 1 inch drill bit, drill 1-1/2 inches (on center) from the end cut of the boards.  Drill on the other side as well.  See diagrams.
6. Unclamp.
7. Place the other set of A Boards on a level surface with the cut side down.
8. Place the set of B Boards, cut side up on top of the set of A Boards.  The heads of the lag bolts of both sets of boards should be facing the same direction.
9. Clamp the two sets of boards together very, very tightly.
10. Using the holes in the B Boards as a guide, use the power drill and a 1 inch drill bit to drill holes for the rods through the second set of A Boards.
11. Unclamp.
12. Stack sets of boards one on top of the other with the set of B Boards at the bottom.
13. Stick one rod through all three holes on one side of the stack.
14. Stick the second rod through the holes on the other side of the stack.
15. If the holes were not drilled accurately, the rods should not fit.  In that case, see where the rod is hitting the boards and re-drill or use a Dremel or a round rasp to enlarge the holes until both rods can fit through all sets of boards.
16. Remove the rods and separate the sets of boards.
17. Sand surfaces smooth.