archtop wrote:
Stephen.... Thanks so much for that! I was very unsure of how it would take to drilling. Metallurgically speaking, I've only ever drilled holes in pretty thin sheets of aluminum. I'll use my center punch and work my way up starting with small bits.
So, what are your feelings about the TrueChannel? Have you used it a lot? I haven't heard many user's opinions and I have some pretty high hopes for it. BTW, have you tried it in any cutaway areas? I've been wondering if it can maneuver that. Thanks!
-John
You'll have a much harder time drilling a hole in aluminum if you use progressive size bits. A single bit the size of the hole you need will be an easier drilling task. The bit is designed to clear its way through the metal. Aluminum is easy to drill, easier than many hard woods...it doesn't have a grain to cause the bit to move. Take it slowly and clear the filings away with a brush as they can bite.
If you use a small bit then a larger one, it'll grab and make drilling very difficult.
Clamp it to your drillpress, drill the main hole the same size as the others. Then remove the drill bit and put a much larger one in its place to countersink (unless you have a countersink tool) and then slowly open up the countersink for the screw. Unclamp and repeat with the smaller bit then larger bit. I imagine you'll need about a 1/2" bit give or take to make the countersink.
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I bought one of those nifty Bosch Colts a while back. Around the same time I also bought the Stew Mac TrueChannel Binding Jig because when it comes to cutting the rabbet for an archtop's binding I'm scared stiff! I figured any good jig would be a step in the right direction.
