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DIY: Laser Cross Drill Guide

Lasers are used in shopping malls, factories and battlefields, and it is no surprise that they have made their way to the woodshop. Lasers are bright light sources of a single color that create beams that travel in straight lines. It is easier to modify the shape of a single-color beam. One method involves holographic optical elements --- flat pieces of plastic that form a laser beam into whatever shape is desired: circles, letters, pattern, or lines. Lasers that put out a line pattern create an alignment tool for a drill press.

Things You'll Need

Two laser pointers with line-output patterns
Drill press
Adjustable laser mount

Instructions

- 1
  Drill a reference hole in a piece of scrap wood. Use a small drill bit that is 1/8 inch or smaller. Attach the scrap to the drill press table so it does not move.
- 2
  Attach the laser mount to the drill press column, as high up against the drill press housing as it will go. Place the two lasers in the mount, one on each side of the drill press column.
- 3
  Turn on the right laser, and rotate and tilt the laser so the line intersects with the hole in the scrap wood when the drill press is at its maximum height.
- 4
  Lower the drill table to its lowest height, and adjust the laser line so it intersects the hole in the scrap wood.
- 5
  Raise the table to its maximum height, and adjust the laser again. You may need to repeat Steps 4 and 5 several times. Observe the way the beam moves as you adjust the mount alignment screws to find the perfect adjustment.
- 6
  Turn off the right laser, and turn on the left laser. Repeat Steps 3, 4, and 5 until the left laser is aligned.
- 7
  Turn on both lasers, and run the drill press table through its full range. The lines from the two lasers will always intersect at the reference hole in the scrap wood.

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