Drilling small holes in a J plate?

[Chrisk-K]

I need to drill two small holes in my Lakland DJ plate to install an Audere preamp. The plate is thick and I don't see how my electric drill can penetrate it. Is there a special tool that can do the job?

[Pilgrim]

If all else fails, take it to a machine shop and let them do it - cost will be trivial and job will be beautiful.

It's a job for a drill press and quality bit running at slow speed.

[Senator]

I used a drill press with a step-drill bit.

A hand drill might be unstable.

[M0ses]

You need a drill tap and a drill press. If you don't have that stuff, take it to someone who does.

[Eric Moesle]

I successfully drilled my J plate for an Audere with a hand drill and a cheepo "regular" drill bit. It took no more than two minutes tops.

Place a punch or a small philips head screwdriver where you want the hole, then hit it with a hammer. That will give you a slight indentation so the drill bit will not wander around until it gets established. Then, just go slow and it will drill through. Metal jazz plates aren't as thick/solid as you might think.

I also recommend putting the plate on top of a piece of scrap wood when you drill, so you don't ruin your table when the bit drills through.

[cflat]

Originally Posted by Eric Moesle

I successfully drilled my J plate for an Audere with a hand drill and a cheepo "regular" drill bit. It took no more than two minutes tops.

Place a punch or a small philips head screwdriver where you want the hole, then hit it with a hammer. That will give you a slight indentation so the drill bit will not wander around until it gets established. Then, just go slow and it will drill through. Metal jazz plates aren't as thick/solid as you might think.

I also recommend putting the plate on top of a piece of scrap wood when you drill, so you don't ruin your table when the bit drills through.

Very good advice..I've drilled many a plate with an electric drill...You do need a good quality sharp drill bit though obviously...and just go slow applying pressure and backing off as you work your way through..Not rocket science.

[TheSuzie]

Good idea to use a clamp or vise to hold your work. Nothing makes one feel more foolish than to be standing there with a control plate and maybe a block of wood spinning on the end of a drill bit. I injured myself once long ago because I didn't secure a piece I was drilling....

Peace,
S