Drill guide and method for using the same
View Patent ↗A portable drill guide apparatus and method enabling precise alignment of both entry and exit points when drilling through workpieces. The apparatus comprises U-shaped mounting brackets, polymer mounting blocks that attach to a portable power drill, and a clamping mechanism with alignment pointer. The invention reverses conventional drilling approaches by first establishing the desired exit point location before determining the entry point, ensuring perfect alignment throughout the drilling operation. Particularly valuable for applications involving cylindrical objects, irregular forms, or scenarios where visualization of both sides of the workpiece simultaneously is impractical, the invention provides bidirectional alignment control for through-hole drilling operations in marine construction, timber framing, utility pole modifications, furniture making, and similar applications where traditional drill presses cannot be practically employed.
1 . A portable drill guide apparatus, comprising:
a pair of U-shaped mounting brackets, each U-shaped mounting bracket having two parallel elongated members joined at one end, said elongated members having partially threaded portions;
mounting blocks, each mounting block defining channels through which said parallel elongated members of said U-shaped mounting brackets pass, said mounting blocks attached to a portable power drill;
a rod having a hexagonal cross-section, said rod slidably received through hexagonal apertures in said mounting blocks;
an L-bracket indirectly and rigidly attached to said U-shaped mounting brackets and to said rod;
a ball-ended clamping handle attached to said L-bracket; and
an alignment pointer extending from said L-bracket.
2 . A portable drill guide apparatus, comprising:
a pair of U-shaped mounting brackets constructed from metal, each U-shaped mounting bracket having two parallel elongated members joined at a curved proximal end, said elongated members having partially threaded distal portions;
a pair of mounting blocks constructed from polymer material, each mounting block attached to a housing of a portable power drill, each mounting block defining channels through which said parallel elongated members of a respective one of said U-shaped mounting brackets pass;
a rod having a hexagonal cross-section, said rod slidably received through hexagonal apertures in said mounting blocks;
an L-bracket indirectly and rigidly attached to said U-shaped mounting brackets, said rod rigidly secured to said L-bracket;
a ball-ended clamping handle attached to said L-bracket;
an alignment pointer comprising a pin extending from said L-bracket;
rectangular side brackets attached to said U-shaped mounting brackets; and
top brackets attached to said U-shaped mounting brackets.
3 . A portable drill guide apparatus, consisting of:
a portable power drill;
exactly two U-shaped mounting brackets constructed from metal, each having two parallel elongated members joined at a curved proximal end, each elongated member having a partially threaded distal portion;
exactly two mounting blocks constructed from polymer material, each attached to said portable power drill, each defining channels receiving said parallel elongated members of a respective one of said U-shaped mounting brackets;
a rod having a hexagonal cross-section, said rod slidably received through hexagonal apertures in said mounting blocks;
an L-bracket indirectly and rigidly attached to said U-shaped mounting brackets, said rod rigidly secured to said L-bracket;
a ball-ended clamping handle attached to said L-bracket;
an alignment pointer comprising a pin extending from said L-bracket;
spacers positioned on said elongated members;
washers positioned on said elongated members adjacent said spacers;
nuts engaged with said partially threaded distal portions of said elongated members;
two rectangular side brackets attached to said U-shaped mounting brackets; and
two top brackets attached to said U-shaped mounting brackets.