The main fastening element in furniture assembly is the confirmat. It is screwed in with pre-drilled holes. It is the drilling of assembly holes in chipboard for confirmations that we will consider in this article.
For assembly chipboard parts we need:
- Screwdriver
- Confirmation bat
- Ruler or tape measure
- Pencil and awl
Hole depth and width
Usually a confirmat size of 6.4*50 is used. Because the thread diameter is 6.4 mm, and the diameter of the confirmation body is 4.4 mm, then for high-quality fastening of parts, the hole diameter must be in the range of 4.5-5 mm and a depth of at least 50 mm.
If the thickness of the hole is greater than the specified one, the confirmat will not hold the parts well; if it is less, its thickness can tear the chipboard.
For drilling, use a confirmat drill with a diameter of 4.5 mm, which is equipped with an additional head for drilling an enlarged hole for the neck of the confirmat, which also makes a countersink for its head.
Of course, you can use a regular drill with a diameter of 5 mm, but for high-quality fastening in the hole you will additionally need to make space for the neck of the confirmat and its head.
In order to perfectly fasten two parts, it is necessary to mark the places of their fastenings as accurately as possible.
On the part that will overlap the end (the one on which there will be through hole), you need to make two measurements - along the length (usually 5-10 cm) and from the edge - exactly 8 mm (this is if the thickness of the slab is 16 mm).
On a part that lies perpendicular, mark the drilling point at the end. Here you need to maintain the same distance in length (5-10 cm from the beginning), and in width - strictly in the center (8 mm from the edge).
Markings must be done as accurately as possible, especially along the length, because If the markings are incorrect, your parts may have extra gaps or protrusions when joined.
It is better to make a through hole in the first part, attach it to the second - and immediately use a drill to mark the drilling location at the end of the second part. And then, separately, calmly drill the hole.
We make a hole at a distance of 8 mm from the edge.
The drill should ALWAYS be held strictly perpendicular to the surface.
Before making a through hole, place a piece of unnecessary chipboard under the part. This will prevent chips from appearing on the reverse side.
When the through hole is made, the part can be drilled on the fly to drill holes for the neck and head of the confirmat.
The main rule is that when drilling at the end, the drill must be strictly perpendicular to the end of the part. If you don't hold the drill straight, the drill bit may go sideways and come out, ruining the part.
When drilling, you need to pull the drill out several times so that chips do not clog in the hole.
This option is considered the most accurate and, moreover, the fastest. But in order to make a hole in two parts at the same time, you will need to fix them before drilling. To do this, you may need special clamps, clamps and other devices.
Hole Drilling Tools
In order not to mark 8 mm from the edge each time both into the layer and at the end, you can use a special device, which, by the way, is easy to make yourself.
It represents some wooden template with a metal sleeve for the drill inside.
It looks like this, see photo:
And this is a more professional thing:
Watch a short video on how to accurately drill holes in chipboard for confirmations and assemble furniture parts:
Drilling for dowels
The hole for the dowels is made with an 8 mm drill. Also, in order not to drill through the part, it is advisable to equip it with a depth limiter.
At the end we drill with the same drill to a depth of 20 mm. Do not forget that during any work the drill must be strictly perpendicular to the plane of the part.
Of course, if you picked up a drill for the first time in your life, you won’t do very well. But this activity can be learned quite quickly.
Hello dear friends.
Today we will look at a jig with which you can easily and quickly make the necessary holes.
A few words to start with:
This is a special one made for pattern drilling of holes.
Such templates can be different.
They can be primitive, made from scrap materials "on a quick fix».
They, of course, perform their function, but their drilling accuracy is quite low, and over time (during the process) of work, as a rule, it drops “to zero”. In this case, such a template needs to be reconfigured again.
They can be made of metal using high-precision equipment. Such templates will satisfy the needs of any assemblers of cabinet furniture.
They are made only from metal.
There are options when they can be made, for example, from plexiglass. In this case, ordinary bearings are used as bushings.
But conductors made of non-metals are not very reliable, since during operation they heat up and become deformed (and in an unpredictable direction).
More reliable templates are made of metal. But you need to consider what to do precise holes under the drill in several planes, it is possible only on high-precision equipment (CNC).
Therefore, not everyone can do them themselves.
It is also worth adding that bushings are placed in all jigs (at the drill holes), since ordinary holes quickly “break” and the template loses accuracy.
The figure below shows a conductor for confirmations:
Very often, when repairing furniture or assembling it, you need to accurately drill holes for the firmmat, dowel and other fasteners. If you drill a sheet of chipboard, then with a simple drill it is almost impossible to do this, since the hole is broken and it is not always possible to make a right angle. Therefore, for such work you must have a tool called a conductor.
Classification of conductors
The main function of jigs is to ensure straightness in drilling wooden surfaces throughout the entire depth of the hole. Such devices are used quite often in metal processing and, as a rule, are supplied directly with the machine. Due to the need to create similar holes in furniture production in large quantities Such devices are in great demand among craftsmen.
There are the following types of conductors:
If the jig has sufficient rigidity, then it can be used not only on flat planes, but also for curved pipes, etc. In this case, it is secured with a clamp. But under no circumstances should it be used for fastening to wooden surfaces, as you can damage the furniture. You can buy it in a store, or you can also make it yourself.
The jig is in fact a template for making holes, with the help of which such work can be done with maximum accuracy. Due to the simplicity of the structure, they are often used not only in the areas of furniture production. In particular, they are actively used in the field of mechanical engineering for drilling holes in various workpieces, etc. We should not forget about the furniture industry, where such a device is used for various needs when assembling furniture fittings.
Features of self-production
When designing a conductor for confirmation, it is necessary to correctly calculate what functions it will have to perform in the future. It should be done for the most commonly used fasteners in the house. If such a device is required by furniture makers for permanent job, then it is better to buy a factory sample, which is characterized by great accuracy. In addition, manufacturers often include additional fasteners, stops and templates in the kit.
The price of such a device for professional use ranges from 400 to 1100 rubles. It depends on the immediate capabilities of a particular unit, the number of holes made, their length, etc. Many people are interested in how to make a furniture jig with their own hands. Drawings with dimensions are a must for novice craftsmen, as they allow you to make a high-quality design on the first try. Similar diagrams can be found on the Internet.
Basically, the conductor has the following elements:
- The basis of the product. It is directly applied to the plane of the furniture, on which the holes will be drilled.
- Guide bushings. A drill goes through them.
- Surface clamping parts. As a rule, they are located at the end of the conductor.
To start designing your own conductor, you need to choose the right corner. It is better to make a non-equal-flanged corner, since it will have much more possibilities, and choose the maximum thickness of the shelf.
Next you need to take care of in the right direction bushings. It can be made from stainless pipe. The length of the sleeve should be at least twice as long as the hole in which it will be located on the angle. The bushing should fit tightly in the hole. The simplest and most common option is planting according to the shaft principle. A corresponding hole is drilled in the corner to fit the already known diameter of the bushing, and then the fit is made. It is recommended to use a low interference fit.
There are cases when the jig needs to be made for drilling deep holes. Then the bushing is made with a collar. The number of possible holes, their length and the distance between them is selected to suit the specific needs of each master.
Several options can be used to attach the device:
Design for confirmations and dowels
Furniture jig for drilling holes for dowels and confirmat - very necessary equipment for furniture makers. Especially if chipboard material is used.
For these purposes, two types of conductor are used:
- Dowel jig with clamp fastening with many functions. The basis of this design is a corner made of thick aluminum. Since the device is quite long, there is an additional fastener in the middle. When turning the angle ninety degrees, the increased thickness of the device helps a lot. The bushings on the structure are located at the distance most often used for confirmations and dowels in furniture production.
- A two-slider jig, which is used to make a hole in two parts fastened together. The design consists of two strips that are connected by fasteners. It has several holes, so you can install devices at different widths.
Scope of use
Furniture jigs are devices that no furniture maker can do without in the process of work. Such devices allow you to avoid the main problem in furniture production, namely the drill entering at the wrong angle. If you make such a mistake, it is very difficult or even impossible to correct it later. Such a device not only makes it possible to correctly direct the drill during operation, but also allows the tool to constantly maintain the desired trajectory (flat, perpendicular or at an angle).
Such devices are used both in the design and production of furniture, and during assembly, when there is a need to make holes for fastening elements together. Often, for such actions, conductors are used for firmmats or dowels, without which it is impossible to make straight holes. Also, you can’t do without this device if you need to make holes at an angle or at the end thin slab(it is especially important to use the device when working with chipboards).
When drilling holes using this design, the process itself is quick and simple. The fastener allows you to do work at any distance from the edge of the slab, as well as regardless of its width.
In the furniture industry, dowels are often used as fasteners. But at the same time, this option has already existed for a long time, and their use requires the presence of a drilling jig when working. The only condition and at the same time a problem is the fact that the parts being connected to each other must have a right angle during operation. Therefore, such elements must be located exactly perpendicular to each other. When making holes for dowels and adding parts, it will be very difficult to do without a jig.
Furniture production is not the only area of application for such devices. They can often be used to make holes in pipes and other round-shaped parts. Special devices allow you to make high-quality holes even in the smallest tubes.
The principle of their operation and dimensions may be different. Some narrow-profile models are better to buy than to produce yourself. But, on the other hand, the price similar devices not small, so this is a disadvantage when compared with homemade models.
How to make it yourself
The simplest designs are cheap, and professional furniture makers are not puzzled homemade production, but prefer to buy factory models. But there are also craftsmen who want to make such a device with their own hands.
For self-creation The conductor needs to use drawings, of which there are a lot on the Internet. With your own hands you can make simple designs for confirmations and more complex ones for dowels.
For production you need to prepare the following tools:
- drill;
- classic set of tools for a locksmith;
- welding;
- Bulgarian.
The simplest conductor can be made from improvised means, which are generally found in any household, in a workshop in the country or in a garage. To create it, the simplest materials are suitable, such as reinforcement, metal sheets And wooden blocks etc. They can significantly save money in the production of such a device.
The manufacture of such a device should be carried out in several stages:
To ensure that there is little dust during operation, it is necessary to install half plastic bottle. It will also collect dust.
Furniture jig - simple mechanical device, which serves to speed up and simplify actions when drilling holes. Using this device allows you to create technological holes without pre-applied markings and do it with perfect accuracy, as well as a adjusted slope. The device is indispensable during the assembly of furniture structures and carpentry work. For use in everyday life and in small-scale production, it is very easy to make a furniture jig with your own hands.
In essence, a furniture jig is an ordinary template with holes required diameter. The working part of the device is rectangular block made of solid material with holes located according to the required markings. For convenience, it can be equipped with adjusting and locking mechanisms. Based on the simplicity of the design, you can quickly make stencils for furniture with your own hands using available materials.
The conductor provides the right direction drills at an angle of 90 degrees to the surface, eliminating the possibility of deviation. This is especially important when working with narrow parts of furniture, such as the ends of walls or doors. Without this device it is quite difficult to maintain the required angle, which can lead to defects, because even a slight deviation in the direction of the mounting hole can make assembly impossible individual elements into a single structure.
For a perfect fit of furniture elements to each other also great importance has precision location of holes for fasteners. Those who make furniture with their own hands are often faced with the need to create a number of identical holes at a certain distance from each other. To make the work easier, make it faster, it’s easier not to mark up every time, but to use a template.
With the help of a conductor you can work with different furniture materials: wood, chipboard, MDF.
Selecting a model for production
Conductors industrial production There are highly specialized and universal. Templates of the first type are used to perform certain operations on typical parts. Universal devices suitable for working with different materials and objects of various configurations.
By design features And functionality conductors are divided into the following types:
- overhead - when used, they are applied to the surface in the desired area, fixed with clamps or held by hand. Used for drilling holes in flat parts;
- rotary - the working part moves in both vertical and horizontal planes. Used when working with complex elements geometric shape and to create holes, the axis of which should be located at an angle;
- tipping - used to create holes in perpendicular planes.
A marking jig is used to mark the locations for drilling holes. It is much thinner and lighter.
The conductor device can be specially created for a certain type of fastener: dowels, confirmations, screws, corners. There are devices to simplify the process of installing fittings.
According to the type of fixation, furniture jigs can be sliding or fixed. The former move freely along the surface if necessary, the latter are rigidly fixed in in the right place. The presence of an adjustment mechanism will help align the device with the workpieces different types.
For large manufacturers furniture availability of variety additional accessories plays a decisive role, as they significantly reduce time costs. IN in this case doesn't have special significance cost of tools. A completely different approach to purchasing the necessary equipment from those who have a small furniture manufacturing plant or from independent masters, manufacturing certain types furniture. In this case, making furniture templates with your own hands turns out to be much cheaper and more practical. Choice the necessary options, the complexity of the device is determined not only by production needs, but also by the skill and experience of furniture manufacturers.
Overhead
Turning
Universal
Materials and tools
To manufacture a device, you must first decide on the tasks that it will perform. Accordingly, they are selected required material, from which a furniture template will be made with your own hands. The most durable, reliable and “long-lasting” is considered to be a metal conductor. To create a furniture jig for drilling with your own hands, it is permissible to use wood, plywood, textolite, and plexiglass. This is due to lower labor costs and cheaper materials. All this is important, especially if you are going to make several different templates yourself.
To make a conductor, a piece of reinforcement, a block or a plate is suitable - something that can probably be found in any garage or home workshop. To make a simple marking device, you can take a regular school ruler - wooden, plastic or metal.
Of decisive importance in the manufacture of the jig is the accurate calculation of the location of the holes on the workpiece. You can take a ready-made diagram or make it yourself. The latter option is preferable, since the dimensions in the drawings must correspond to the tasks being solved.
Tools you will need:
- drill;
- grinder or jigsaw;
- a set of locksmith tools;
- clamps;
- vice.
When making a conductor you will need ideal precision drilling guide holes and hardening of the finished device
Drawing of a homemade conductor for drilling holes for confirmations
Manufacturing stages
Consider the process of creating metal conductor device for confirmations. This fastener is most often used when assembling furniture:
- from metal bar square section (10x10 mm), a piece of the required length is cut using a grinder. The ends of the resulting segment are leveled and cleared of burrs using a file. Corners and edges can be rounded for ease and safety of use;
- The hole locations are marked on the workpiece. Their centers should be located at a distance of 8 mm from the side edge (thickness chipboard sheet– 16 mm). There should be 32 mm from the end and between the holes, in accordance with the generally accepted system of furniture fastenings. For marking, you can use a carpenter's angle or caliper. It is better to make marks on the part using a sharp metal object- an awl or a large needle. You can use a core and a hammer to make holes for the initial installation of the drill. When drilling holes, it is important to prevent the drill from moving and make them strictly perpendicular to the surface of the workpiece;
- use a drill with a diameter of 5 mm to make holes;
- to create a stop, you need to cut a piece of the required length from a metal plate (1x25 mm);
- sand the edges with sandpaper;
- bend the workpiece at a right angle, holding it in a vice. Fold the parts, aligning them coaxially;
- fasten the parts in this position using a clamp;
- From the side of the plate along the length of the device and at the end, drill holes corresponding to the size of the screw. Cut threads and fasten parts;
- Cut off the excess thrust plate and process the edges.
Video
To speed up the furniture manufacturing process, use special devices. Even novice craftsmen can use them; besides, you can make furniture jigs and templates yourself. Products come in different types, designed for different types of work.
Such devices greatly facilitate the work, because with their help you can drill precise holes. Furniture jigs and templates are necessary when assembling cabinets, tables, and other interior items for home, office, production, even elements of confectioners’ furniture for a bakery. During their assembly, craftsmen perform the same actions related to marking and drilling. Special equipment will help speed up these processes.
The furniture template is a strip with holes and sleeves. The distance between them is different, the diameter of the holes is different. Applying the jig to the part, drill holes the right size with a certain step.
Advantages of using templates for making furniture:
- fast drilling;
- easy hole making process;
- drilling accuracy.
Some products facilitate the process of drilling and assembling parts, while others are necessary to simplify marking. Depending on this, the conductors are either marking or drilling. Most often, equipment is purchased in a store, but some make the devices themselves. It is easy to make a jig from a carpenter's square or a metal ruler.
Used in furniture assembly various products: rack, sheet. Rack templates are used when marking elements longer than 1 m. Sheet templates are suitable for small parts. There are also combined devices that combine several types.
Furniture conductor
The simplest furniture template
Marking on the template
Device and characteristics
The conductor is made of wood, metal, plastic, MDF, chipboard and other materials. There are standards according to which holes are made at a distance of more than 8 mm, counting from the edge. The distance between them is no less than 32 mm. The centers are further expanded, the thread is installed, and the emphasis is placed on the rail.
An important element of the jigs are their supports, which are necessary for firmly fixing the device on the furniture piece. Supports can be spherical, notched, or flat. The following types of plates are used to install bushings:
- hanging;
- lifting;
- rotatable;
- permanent;
- removable.
For oblique holes
Under the hinges
With turret
For confirmations
Varieties
A furniture template can be of different types. Products differ in the method of construction, functional features. Depending on this, jigs and templates for marking and drilling may fall into one of the following categories:
- invoices;
- rotary;
- tiltable;
- universal.
Overlay products are considered the best option for drilling holes in flat parts. They are suitable for chipboard and MDF boards. During operation, they are applied to the surface of the element on which a hole needs to be made, and held with hands so that they do not move. In other cases, the furniture template is placed in a specific place or fixed.
The rotary mechanism has work surface moving horizontally or vertically. The template allows you to make holes on parts whose axis is located at an angle. A rotary jig is used when you need to make a hole on elements that have a complex geometric shape.
Tiltable devices are needed to work with parts located in different planes. Universal products allow them to be reconfigured for the production and assembly of furniture of various types. They are used mainly in small workshops that produce cabinets, tables, chests of drawers in small batches.
Depending on the type of fixation of the device on the surface of the parts, the furniture template is divided into sliding and fixed. Sliding ones lie freely on the surface of the parts, allowing you to make each hole separately. Such devices are considered less convenient. Dockable templates are more convenient to use, although they limit the actions of the wizard.
Almost all types of devices have enough simple design, so you can make them yourself at home. This will save money.
Sliding
Universal
Nuances of choice
A furniture template can be made not only from a square and a metal ruler; other available materials are also suitable. A device made independently can be highly specialized. As an example, products for drilling holes for handles, hinges, and other elements. Such devices are more suitable if the production of furniture is carried out in small volumes.
For a more extensive process of manufacturing interior items by conductor production, it is recommended to purchase professional equipment. Please note that some models can be quite expensive. Using a professional template, the furniture will turn out... high-quality fastenings and will last a long time.
When choosing, it is recommended to pay attention to multifunctional devices that allow you not only to make the correct markings, but also to fill holes. The equipment set includes clamps, replaceable bushings, and rulers, which greatly facilitate the assembly processes and production of interior items. With their help, holes are drilled at the required distance and a certain diameter.