Drill Plate vs. Milling Machine

[Toolmaker51]

The locating table for the Punch Stand, still in construction but evolving. Drilled first 320 holes in just over an hour, 1/4'' holes in 12 gauge, yes about 5 per minute. So instead of x-y positioning, I cut a strip of 1/4'' hot rolled and drilled the pattern. This is how woodworkers do holes for shelf pins. Two ways are; attached directly to panel to guide bit, or along a drill fence and a stop pin.