Rivet Drilling Guide - and construction set

This is a drilling guide to get evenly spacing holes from 1/2 inch to over 2 inches.

I made the 10-hole version. for a 20-hole version, you will need to add (two each) 'connector rod 5 hole' and a lot more connectors part 1 and 2. I used different color for the drill holes to aid in counting the holes to be drilled.

Step 1: Assembly

A little filing is necessary for perfect fit. See completed picture for example of how to assemble. Let me know if you need more guidance.
The guide connectors part 1 and 2 are glued with 'super glue'. Just 2 drop on the inside so they will freely rotate on the rods.

Step 2: Features

Designed in FreeCad and is fully parametric.

The drilling guide holes are for #40 drill bit. These are not glued in, pressure fit only. These are designed to be replaceable.

The drilling guide holes are also designed to give a 'level' surface. That is why some are mounted on the back side.

Step 3: 3D Printing Files

Here are the files for printing on your 3D printer or to have printed by a 3D printing service.

For the 10-hole version you will need to print out;

10 each Rivet spacing guide rod 6 hole V3

2 each Rivet spacing guide rod 4 hole V3

2 each Rivet spacing guide rod 3 hole V3

2 each Rivet spacing guide rod 2 hole V3

33 each guide connector part 2 V1 (I probably printed 44 or so - and selected the best)

33 each guide connector part 1 V1 (I probably printed 44 or so - and selected the best)

10 each Drill Guide insert #40 V2 (select color as desired)

For the 20-hole version you will need to print out;

Everything that the 10-hole version has plus;

10 more Rivet spacing guide rod 6 hole V3

2 each Rivet spacing guide rod 5 hole V3

10 more Drill Guide insert #40 V2 (select color as desired)

Step 4: Erector Set Etc...

The things you can make with these are almost endless. Shown are an earlier version of the rods
connecting to make a boomerang. An 'erector' set could be made by adding a few 90 degree connectors. Let me know if you want me to add these.

On the earlier versions, I was trying some alternative designed connectors. These did not work as well as the two-piece connectors. I did glue the newer version together but the fit is tight enough that glue is optional. For the 'Erector Set' you may want to try press fitting only.

Step 5: Vote for Me

I'm planning on entering this in the 3D printing contest. Please vote for me!

Step 6: Fusion 360 Update - Joint Motion

I have updated my Rivet Drilling Guide with Fusion 360 to show the Joint Motion. To do this, I had to recreate the 'rivet spacing guide rod(s) in Fusion 360.

Having only started using Fusion 360 a week ago I am a complete newbie. I may have done it the hard way, having only watched 2 videos on using joints, but it seems to work and shows how the Rivet Spacing Guide works. You can move the joints with this file and see the full range of movement.

I have included the '5 hole rod' in the file. This would be used in a 20 hole guide construction. I did not use it in this joint motion study as it only recreates the '10 hole guide'.

If I had used Fusion 360 to originally designed the Rivet Spacing Guide I could have seen the max and min range for the drilling spacing. And edit the rod width to get a smaller minimum spacing.

Oh, the things you learn later!

Using the drilling guide at work has been wonderful. I can now duplicate spacing so quickly, that I wonder why I never bought or made one before now. It has been a joy to use.