drilling block without plate bushings

[SGrossner@aol.com]

In a message dated 97-03-01 05:35:03 EST, you write:

<< Actually, you don't have to move the drill press at all. Once you have
 the new pinblock fitted you can use a wood bit exactly  the same size
 as the diameter of the hole in the plate, and, using a hammer, gently
 tap the end of the bit, to mark the center of each hole in the plate.
 When finished, go back and center-punch each hole you have marked. Then
 remove the pinblock from the piano and drill the holes on the drill-
 press, after setting it up for the 7o angle. Feed very slowly and
 you'll wind up with much more uniformly angled pins than if you try
 to drill them free-hand with the block still in the piano. One person
 can do the drilling alone, if it's  a multiple-piece pinblock. When
 drilling the more common one-piece blocks, it's best to have someone
 to help you hold and stabilize the pinblock as it's being drilled.
 Piece  of cake!

 Les Smith
 lessmith@buffnet.net
  >>

Thanks for the tip, Les. Especially using a drill bit to dummy mark the
centers. Obvious, but overlooked. I will try and use a drill press in the
future, but unsure how to modify it to accomodate the wider sections of the
block. Any ideas on that? Regards, Sam