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centreing small screws

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centreing small screws

Postby sunnybob » 16 Jun 2022, 07:15

Any miniature / modelists around?
I have just found out that there are tools available that will ensure my hinge screws get centred in the small hinges I use.
Any pointers to correct terminology and availability would be appreciated.
Sometimes these screws are 2 mm or less diameter, and trying to centre a 1mm pilot hole is challenging with old eyes.
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Re: centreing small screws

Postby 9fingers » 16 Jun 2022, 07:50

sunnybob wrote:Any miniature / modelists around?
I have just found out that there are tools available that will ensure my hinge screws get centred in the small hinges I use.
Any pointers to correct terminology and availability would be appreciated.
Sometimes these screws are 2 mm or less diameter, and trying to centre a 1mm pilot hole is challenging with old eyes.

You don’t need a gadget. Take a drill that just fits the hole in the hinges etc and rotate it gently between fingers to create a small dimple. The pilot drill will then self centre at the lowest point in the dimple.

Bob
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Re: centreing small screws

Postby Phil » 16 Jun 2022, 07:52

I use my metal centre punch (I have 2 sizes) to get an indentation to get the hole started.

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=metal+centre+ ... &ia=images
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Re: centreing small screws

Postby Woodster » 16 Jun 2022, 09:55

No need to faff about, just use these. They’re not exactly expensive.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/PIECE-HINGE-DR ... 2755&psc=1
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Re: centreing small screws

Postby Dr.Al » 16 Jun 2022, 09:57

Woodster wrote:No need to faff about, just use these. They’re not exactly expensive.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/PIECE-HINGE-DR ... 2755&psc=1


I was going to suggest something similar, but I'm not sure they're available with such small drill bits as 1 mm. I think I'd be interested in getting some smaller ones if such a thing exists.
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Re: centreing small screws

Postby sunnybob » 16 Jun 2022, 10:06

Woodster... the smallest there is 3 mm. Thats wider than the screws I want to use.

I think the rest of you are also not understanding how small trinket box hardware is. With hinge holes at 3mm or less diameter, I need a precision centreing device.
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Re: centreing small screws

Postby Phil Pascoe » 16 Jun 2022, 10:08

It wouldn't work for something so small, but for larger hinges I get the hinge in place and run a countersink in each hole then the bit will automatically run to centre.
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Re: centreing small screws

Postby Woodbloke » 16 Jun 2022, 10:21

9fingers wrote:You don’t need a gadget. Take a drill that just fits the hole in the hinges etc and rotate it gently between fingers to create a small dimple. The pilot drill will then self centre at the lowest point in the dimple.

Bob


You don't need it SB; read wot Bob9F writ. You seem to be making a simple job a lot more complicated than it actually is; just drop a sharp drill into the 'ole and give a twirl; sorted - Rob
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Re: centreing small screws

Postby Blackswanwood » 16 Jun 2022, 10:27

I recognise the problem Bob and found that when I got a pair of these …

https://www.axminstertools.com/lightcra ... and-107725

… it was a lot easier.

Cheers
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Re: centreing small screws

Postby Woodbloke » 16 Jun 2022, 10:59

Blackswanwood wrote:I recognise the problem Bob and found that when I got a pair of these …

https://www.axminstertools.com/lightcra ... and-107725

… it was a lot easier.

Cheers

Nah, this is what:

gettyimages-1379281902-2048x2048.jpg
(304.67 KiB)


...SB needs :lol: - Rob
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Re: centreing small screws

Postby RogerS » 16 Jun 2022, 11:33

Dr.Al wrote:
Woodster wrote:No need to faff about, just use these. They’re not exactly expensive.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/PIECE-HINGE-DR ... 2755&psc=1


I was going to suggest something similar, but I'm not sure they're available with such small drill bits as 1 mm. I think I'd be interested in getting some smaller ones if such a thing exists.


Don't forget that the drill sizes are Imperial
.
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Re: centreing small screws

Postby Pete Maddex » 16 Jun 2022, 11:42

Hi Bob

Have a look at transfer punches they do them down to 2mm ish.

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Re: centreing small screws

Postby Dr.Al » 16 Jun 2022, 12:12

RogerS wrote:
Dr.Al wrote:
Woodster wrote:No need to faff about, just use these. They’re not exactly expensive.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/PIECE-HINGE-DR ... 2755&psc=1


I was going to suggest something similar, but I'm not sure they're available with such small drill bits as 1 mm. I think I'd be interested in getting some smaller ones if such a thing exists.


Don't forget that the drill sizes are Imperial
.


Yes, but the smallest one is 7/64" in that set, which is about 2.8 mm.
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Re: centreing small screws

Postby droogs » 16 Jun 2022, 12:14

get yourself a large gimlet, they are about 3mm in dia and pointy so will fit the coutersink in the hinge and mark the centre for drilling

https://engineeringlearn.com/wp-content ... t-Tool.jpg
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Re: centreing small screws

Postby Lurker » 16 Jun 2022, 13:10

droogs wrote:get yourself a large gimlet, they are about 3mm in dia and pointy so will fit the coutersink in the hinge and mark the centre for drilling

https://engineeringlearn.com/wp-content ... t-Tool.jpg


I made a pointed brad awl using ground down Allen key.
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Re: centreing small screws

Postby Woodster » 16 Jun 2022, 14:13

Dr.Al wrote:
I was going to suggest something similar, but I'm not sure they're available with such small drill bits as 1 mm. I think I'd be interested in getting some smaller ones if such a thing exists.


I thought I had three but I’ve just checked and the large Makita one is 3mm and the small unbranded one has a 2mm bit. Both have been a very useful addition to the toolbox, off centre screws in hinges looks really naff! :lol:

If I needed one as small as 1mm and couldn’t find one I’d make my own jig with a piece of brass rod with a 1mm hole in it. Easily done on a lathe.
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Re: centreing small screws

Postby Dr.Al » 16 Jun 2022, 14:35

Woodster wrote:
Dr.Al wrote:
I was going to suggest something similar, but I'm not sure they're available with such small drill bits as 1 mm. I think I'd be interested in getting some smaller ones if such a thing exists.


I thought I had three but I’ve just checked and the large Makita one is 3mm and the small unbranded one has a 2mm bit. Both have been a very useful addition to the toolbox, off centre screws in hinges looks really naff! :lol:

If I needed one as small as 1mm and couldn’t find one I’d make my own jig with a piece of brass rod with a 1mm hole in it. Easily done on a lathe.


It's a good point that it would be easy to make. I've generally just used a small (90° tip) spotting drill (hand held) to make a mark and then trusted the drill to follow the mark. I haven't done it many times though. Maybe next time I'll dig out a bit of brass and make something.
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Re: centreing small screws

Postby Woodster » 16 Jun 2022, 15:26

Maybe you can buy smaller versions of this somewhere?

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Re: centreing small screws

Postby Cabinetman » 16 Jun 2022, 19:59

Hi Bob, been thinking about the problem and suggest a piece of brass or similar cut to the same size as the leaf of the hinge, this being a uniform material- (ie none of those pesky wood grains to get in the way) it should allow you to drill the 1mm holes through it in at exactly the right places, put this into your rebate and drill away. Keep it in the box of hinges for next time. Ian
Ps if the jig moves in the rebate you could make it with a right angled flap that you could G Cramp to the inside face of the box
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