Make Positive Drill Stops from Scrap Wood

Keith Lackman
Keith is a master antique furniture restorer specializing in 18th and 19th century American furniture.  He restores pieces for several of the country’s most renown collectors and dealers in his Lehigh County, Pennsylvania workshop.

There are times when it’s critical to bore a hole to precisely the correct depth and avoid drilling too deeply -- for example, when attaching a batten or piece of hardware to the underside of a table.  If the hole is too shallow, it may be difficult or impossible to drive a screw all the way in.  Boring too deeply can result in a ruinous hole on the finished side of the tabletop.

Wrapping a piece of tape around the drill bit can work as a depth guide.  However, it doesn’t provide a positive, mechanical stop. 

In this video, Keith demonstrates how to make a fail-safe stop for any drill bit out of whatever scrap of wood you may have handy.

If you'd like to contact Keith or ask him a question, you can email him by clicking here.