For years I have struggled to find a good way to control the depth of a drilled hole using a hand drill. I have tried the painters tape to mark the depth but inevitably the drill bit will grab the wood and slide the tape up. Same with those little sleeves with the allen screw in the middle of it, the first time the bit grabs the wood the sleeve slides up.

Yesterday I came up with a method that seems fool proof. If this fool can do it that is proof anyone can do it.

Using what Harbor Freight calls Rare Earth magnets I put 3 magnets on the jaws of the drill chuck and used as many hex nuts as need to stop the bit at the desired depth and nuts with a center hole to fit as snug as possible to the size bit being used. Worked like a charm and as long as I make sure none the the nuts slip off the bit it isn't going to drill any deeper that desired.

 

Cool idea Bubba. I'll file this one back and hope to remember it.

Great idea @Bubba thanks for the tip!

Thanks! This is a winner!!

Love it!!!!!

I would also suggest replacing the last nut, the one that will contact the wood, with a flat washer. That way, you don't have the corners of the flats on the nut possibly trying to dig into your workpiece.

Thanks for the suggestion Tom. Though the edges of the hex nut corners are rounded over a bit if this becomes an issue I will give your washer idea a try.

Dave, good to see you posting again. Sounds like you are feeling better and the recovery is going well. Take it easy my friend, and take care of yourself.

1 hour ago, PostalTom said:

Dave, good to see you posting again. Sounds like you are feeling better and the recovery is going well. Take it easy my friend, and take care of yourself.

Thanks Tom. There's been a few set backs, but overall continue to improve. The extreme fatigue remains one of big challenges but the doctors and care team tell me that is still to be expected. My mind tells me I'm good to go; my body does not support that theory. One day at a time.

That’s a brilliant solution, Bubba! Using Rare Earth magnets and hex nuts for depth control is a clever and simple method to ensure precision with a hand drill. The magnets securely hold the nuts in place, while the snug-fitting nuts act as a depth stop, preventing the bit from drilling deeper than you intend. It’s an effective and low-cost fix that could be a game changer for anyone struggling with similar depth control issues. Thanks for sharing this great tip!

Welcome to The Patriot Woodworker @liamlost. Glad you found us and came aboard. Great to have someone from Germany join in. Hope you like what you experience here and will visit frequently. Don't hesitate to ask questions or offer suggestions.