Easy Drill Press Jig for Drilling Accurate Angled Holes
Drilling straight holes is easy with a drill press. But what happens when a woodworking project calls for holes drilled at an angle?
You could tilt the drill press table, but that can be inconvenient, especially if you need to switch back and forth between straight and angled holes.
A better solution is a simple adjustable drill press jig that holds the workpiece at the desired angle while keeping the drill press table level.
This shop-made jig is easy to build from plywood and a few pieces of hardwood. It clamps directly to the drill press table and makes drilling accurate, repeatable angled holes a straightforward task.
A Simple Adjustable Jig for Angled Holes
The jig consists of two plywood pieces connected by a continuous hinge.
The bottom piece forms a stable base that clamps to the drill press table. The upper piece acts as a tilting platform to support the workpiece.
A hardwood index bar fits between the two plywood pieces to hold the platform at the desired angle.
The design is simple, but it offers a big advantage over tilting the drill press table: You can adjust the drilling angle without changing the machine's setup.
A hardwood cleat on the upper platform helps position and support the workpiece during drilling.
Build the Angled Drilling Jig
Start by cutting the plywood base and top to fit your drill press table.
Connect the two pieces along one edge with a continuous hinge. The hinge allows the top to tilt upward while keeping the two pieces aligned.
Next, attach the hardwood cleat to the tilting platform, as shown in the drawing.
Finally, cut a hardwood index bar to fit between the base and the underside of the platform.
Moving the index bar changes the height of the platform and, in turn, the drilling angle.
For convenient setup, mark reference lines on the base showing where to position the bar for commonly used angles.
You can establish these locations with an angle gauge or digital angle finder, then verify the setup with a test hole.
How to Drill Accurate Angled Holes
To use the jig, clamp the plywood base securely to the drill press table.
Raise the hinged platform and position the hardwood index bar at the location needed for your drilling angle.
Check that the index bar is seated securely and that the platform won't shift under drilling pressure.
Place the workpiece against the cleat and clamp it firmly to the platform.
Then position the jig beneath the drill bit and drill the hole.
Use a backing board where appropriate to reduce tearout and protect the jig.
For repeatable results, make a test hole in scrap stock and check the angle before drilling your project parts.
Woodsmith Tip: Marking several frequently used angle settings on the base makes it easy to return to the same setup without measuring every time.
A Handy Addition to Your Drill Press
One of the biggest advantages of this jig is its convenience.
You can drill angled holes without tilting the drill press table, and the adjustable support bar makes it easy to change angles or return to a previous setting.
It's especially useful when you need several matching angled holes for a woodworking project.
And because the jig is made from plywood, a continuous hinge, and a few hardwood scraps, it's an inexpensive accessory you can build in a short amount of time.
The next time your project calls for an angled hole, this simple drill press jig can help you get accurate, consistent results.
Upgrade Your Drill Press
A shop-made angled drilling jig is just one way to make your drill press more useful. A larger auxiliary table can provide better workpiece support, improved clamping options, and a convenient fence for repeatable drilling operations.
Explore our Drill Press Table woodworking plans to build a versatile upgrade for one of the most useful machines in your shop.
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