The SFL Drilling Jig is unlike any other jig. This jig is meant to make the drilling process faster, easier and more accurate than any other design. When used properly, a 10' section of pipe can be drilled in less than 10 minutes all while maintaining a straight line of holes spaced equally apart. Unlike traditional pixel drilling jigs, there is no need to lift the pipe off of an alignment pin nor insert or remove an alignment pin. The alignment pins simply snap into place as the pipe is advanced.
The secret to this jig are the round and diamond alignment pins atop spring loaded fingers. The round pin is used to set the correct center to center distance between pixels. The diamond pin is used to control the roll of the pipe, to combat the twist that generally occurs while drilling most PVC pipe.
The SFL Drilling Jig also captures the pipe from all sides which helps the alignment fingers maintain upward pressure on the pipe during the drilling process. Along the top surface is a 1mm wide guide line to help the operator visually see if the pipe is aligned properly during every hole drilled.
The first drilled hole in the pipe is correctly set with the strategically placed 1/4" hole in the sides of the SFL Drilling Jig, right smack in the middle of our awesome logo. A 1/4" drill chuck key can be inserted into this hole and then the pipe can be inserted into the jig, pressing up against this newly created endstop. The drawn line on the pipe can then be lined up with the embossed guide line on the top surface before drilling the first hole. Once that hole is drilled, the drill chuck key can be removed, and the new hole in the pipe can be advanced to the round pin.
A small snap should be heard once the pipe is advanced onto the round pin. Now slight pressure should be applied on the pipe by pulling it back (to the left) and also ensuring the line on the pipe is aligned with the guideline on the top of the SFL Drilling Jig. After drilling this second hole, the pipe can be advanced through the SFL Drilling Jig so the round pin and diamond pin are used. Slight back pressure on the pipe will need to be applied when advancing to the next hole so the pipe rests firmly on the right side of the round pin.
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Recommended Printer Settings:
These are the minimum print settings that we recommend you use
PETG or ABS
At least 25% infill (grid or honeycomb for strength)
We used a 0.4mm nozzle with a 0.2mm layer height
At least 1mm wall thickness
4 walls
6 Top and Bottom layers
These MUST be printed with supports from the build plate only
Ensure that your printer is calibrated correctly, here is a Thingiverse file that we recommend to help calibrate your printer
I would strongly recommend that you watch this demo video prior to using the jig for the first time.
Other Recommendations:
Alignment of the jig to the drill press is critical. Be sure the jig is perpendicular to the drill bit and once properly aligned, securely fasten the jig to the drill press table. Also be sure that the drill press table is locked tight as it could move during the pipe advancing process and cause the jig to be misaligned or even damaged by the drill bit.
Draw a guide line down the PVC pipe, end to end, and line it up with the guide line marks on the top of the jig
During the drilling process, support both ends of the pipe at the same level as the pipe is at in the drilling jig (During our testing process, we noticed that twist in the pipe was drastically reduced just by supporting both ends of the pipe)
