<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD W3 HTML//EN"> <HTML> <HEAD> <META content=text/html;charset=iso-8859-1 = http-equiv=Content-Type> <META content='"MSHTML 4.72.3110.7"' name=GENERATOR> </HEAD> <BODY bgColor=#ffffff> <DIV><FONT color=#000000 size=2>Hi all,</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#000000 size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>For those of you who make bridges, I'd like to hear = what kind of drill bits you're using to drill the bridge pin holes, and the = technique you use.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Here's what I've been doing.  I've been laying = out the pattern on the fresh cap, marking it fist with a pencil mark, and then = with a very sharp awl (not deep, just a mark I can see, perhaps 1/32" = deep), and proceeding to drill with the standard drill bit from Apsco, by hand.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>I don't have much trouble keeping the angles right, = but from time to time, I seem to have a bit of trouble with the bit 'wandering' = off the mark.  The people around me usually say "Wow, they're great."  But they're not _perfect_, which is really what I'm = shooting for.  I've seen perfect, but with that drill bit wandering, it's a = pretty tough thing to achieve.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>What can I do to keep the wandering bit to a = minimum?  Do I need a bradpoint bit?  Do I need a pilot hole to guide the = bit?  Are there special bits that would do a much better job than the standard = Apsco bit?  Is there a technique that has eluded me?</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>It's just a little thing, and for the most part, if = I just went on making them like I do, people would likely still think they're great.  But my own drive and desire to do the best work possible = haunts me.  (I want 'em _Perfect_!)</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Any advice?</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Best wishes to all,</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Brian Trout</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Quarryville, Pa.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV></BODY></HTML>