How to Drill Straight Holes With a Hand Drill (Using Lego)

If you've ever tried to drill a straight hole with a hand drill you know how hard it can be. After screwing up drilling a hole three times in a row I decided to try to find a solution to the problem. This is what I came up with. The great thing about using Lego for this purpose is that you don't have to spend a lot of time making this jig; you just snap the pieces together and get to work. As with any project, be sure to use the appropriate safety equipment and be careful!

Thanks to everyone who voted for me in the Fix & Repair Contest!

Step 1: What You Need:

- 9 4x2 stud bricks

- 3 2x2 stud bricks

- A right angle protractor (just to double-check the jig)

Step 2: Building the Jig

- Start by arranging 3 2x4 bricks and 1 2x2 brick into an "L" shape.

- Build up from that shape, covering the seams where the bricks meet on the layer below. You will have a 3 layer right angle when you're done.

- Use the protractor to make sure the jig forms a right angle.

Step 3: Using the Jig

- Hold the jig down against the wood the same way as in the pictures. Position the drill bit tightly in the corner of the jig and drill the hole.

- The bricks might get marked up a bit after a while; if that happens, just swap them out with new ones!

Runner Up in the
Fix & Repair Contest

Participated in the
DIY University Contest

Participated in the
Hand Tools Only Contest

Be the First to Share

Recommendations

3D Printed Flexi Snake by Penolopy Bulnick in 3D Printing

51 7.7K

Mobile Workshop Sink With Easy DIY Parts Washer by seamster in Tools

1 93 6.4K

Restoring an Antique Screwdriver by designcoyxe in Tools

52 7.3K

Glow in the Dark Molecules by mphatsosimbao in 3D Printing

17 2.3K

For the Home Contest
Game Design: Student Design Challenge
Big and Small Contest

80 Comments

squimby1

8 years ago

Great idea! I love the simplicity. Great for those (like me) that can't afford a drill press. I also like the modification ideas that have been posted. Here's what I came up with. Replace the bottom 2x2 brick with a 2x4 brick turned to extend outward, then replace the 2x2 brick in the second row with a 2x4 brick, again extended outward. Now you have finger holds. I also like the super glue idea, just for safety. Then glue and trim a piece of fine grit sandpaper to the bottom to avoid slippage.

daj102

8 years ago on Introduction

This is a great idea, but I do have one comment - your fingers are very close to the drill bit. I wonder if, for safety, you could build the jig with little 'nobbles' that poke out the back, so you could 'pinch' them to hold the jig? That way your fingers are protected behind the main walls. And I love the idea from gravityisweak about the depth gauge too - maybe a little axle sticking up somewhere marked off?

lovethebackwoods

8 years ago on Introduction

This is a beautiful solution to an age-old problem - thanks for the excellent photos and understandable narrative. I have my students build music boxes, drum practice pads, toys, and all kinds of wooden things. We build jigs all the time. I made a drill jig with scrap wood which I sawed "straight enough" with the miter box, then glued together (before screwing together), squaring it up with one of those right-angle devices created for that purpose. We get nice straight drill holes with it and if it wears out and has to be replaced, the drill guide reverts to scrap wood for nameless upcoming projects. Making sawdust is what it's all about!

rlove4

8 years ago on Introduction

Thanks M3G, at first I thought this a bit much as you'll soon get your eye in but this will be a handy way to get you there. I'm also realising how handy this would be for applications over-head or at a stretch where we can't sight things up no matter how much experience we have.

A handy tip for drilling horizontally is to put a washer on the drill and if it spins towards the chuck you're aiming high, towards the job you're digging down.

gravityisweak

8 years ago on Introduction

Nice idea! Do you find that 3 bricks high is enough to keep the drill straight? Would more be better? Come to think of it, this would also be a good way to gauge depth while drilling. Make your jig a certain height so that you know when your chuck almost touches the bricks, you're at the depth you want.