Pipe Saddle Layout by String
Tracing a saddle (fishmouth) cope on round pipe with a string compass instead of a notching tool.
Drill Through Thick Steel With a Hand Drill by Turning a Clamp Into a Makeshift Drill Press
Position a speed clamp behind the drill so it applies steady mechanical pressure feeding the bit into the steel, instead of relying on your own body weight to push. It turns a hand drill into something closer to a drill press, which matters most on steel thick enough — around half an inch — that body weight alone can't feed the bit consistently.
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The Problem
Drilling through steel around half an inch thick with a hand drill takes steady, consistent feed pressure the whole way through — and body weight alone is hard to apply evenly. Push too hard and the bit can walk or bind; push inconsistently and the cut stalls or work-hardens the steel, dulling the bit faster.
The Technique
- Position a speed clamp so its fixed jaw sits behind the drill, in line with the bit, and its other end braces against something solid.
- Tighten the clamp to apply steady, controlled pressure that feeds the drill bit forward into the steel — the clamp is doing the pushing instead of your body weight.
- With the clamp handling feed pressure, focus your attention on keeping the bit straight and cutting cleanly rather than on how hard you're leaning into the drill.
- Pair this with the right bit for steel, a proper drilling speed, and cutting fluid to keep the bit cool and cutting efficiently — the clamp solves the pressure problem, but bit choice and cutting fluid still matter for a clean hole through thick material.
Pro tip: This is a stand-in for a drill press when one isn't available on site — not a permanent substitute. If you're drilling steel this thick regularly, the consistency of a real drill press is worth the setup; the clamp trick is for the job where hauling one in isn't practical.
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