Locate Drilled Holes Perfectly!

No matter what material you use as a maker, you need to accurately mark the locations of where you are going to drill holes!

Examples include centering screws when mounting cabinet doors or hinges for your home’s doors. If an object with mounting holes is to be attached to another surface using bolts or screws, the pilot or through-holes need to be dead on center to the fixed holes in the device you are mounting.

In this episode, Dirt Farmer Jay lets you in on some of the devices and techniques he uses to get perfect results, time after time. You’ll be introduced to the Stanley 58-013 self-centering screw hole punch, hinge bits, an adjustable automatic center punch, and center punch transfer tools. With these moderately-priced tools, you can confidently approach a wide range of hole placement marking tasks, and all but eliminate “skating” of the drill bit point when bringing the drill bit up to speed.

If you’d like to purchase any of these items, you can do so using these descriptions and search terms (available both online and at home improvement themed retailers):

Adjustable Automatic Center Punch: Starrett 53048 818, Starrett 18A, General Tools Heavy Duty Automatic Center Punch

Stanley 58-013 Self Centering Screw Hole Punch: Stanley 58-013

Centering Hinge Bits (Common Brand Name is “Vix”): Vix® Bit, Centering Hinge Bits, General Tools Hinge Bit, Snappy Tools Hinge Bit

Center Punch Transfer Tools: transfer punch set, center punch transfer tool, center punch transfer

You don’t need to guess where to drill any more - you can be certain. When it comes to doing the job right and quickly, JUST DO IT YOURSELF (JDIY)!

[brianzelmer]

The first spring loaded center punch you showed is carried in thousands of Firefighter coats. They work great breaking out back and side windows of vehicles when quick access is needed. Carried one for 35 years.

[patricksmith]

Thanks so much for this video. I have always had a problem getting this right and I like the look of the self centering punch.

[tamjacobite]

Thank you. Now I shall get my holes drilled in the right place instead of egg shaped disasters!

[praeamble]

This is perfect, exactly what I was looking for. I was trying to figure out how to drill pilot holes that match up dead-center with my clearance holes, a transfer punch set should do the trick. Thanks for making this video!

[remraf]

Good Morning Jay,
Thank you for this video ! The last tool recommendation, is exactly what I needed to make sure my DIY project turns out perfect. That's the center point transfer punch set.
I subscribed with the bell notification on ! Thanks again for the expert tips !
Warmest Regards from Arizona

[rashkavar]

One additional companion to those Transfer Punches, though I'm not 100% sure on the name of them, is a short version designed to work in blind holes. Transfer Screws or Transfer Punch Screws, something like that. It's the exact same tool, it's just small enough that you can stick it in a little blind hole and transfer the position of that hole over to the work piece you need to put matching holes in.

Very good to have the explanation of how those self centering bits and punches are designed to work. Helps me understand if/when I'll ever need to get one.

[xviewmytubex]

Here's my application:

Car spoiler install which has pre drilled threaded holes. How would I locate these from underneath trunk lid without damaging them? I'm new to this and I'm definitely going to try the hole punch set you use here. Thanks!

[prozacchiwawa]

Thanks, didn't know about transfer punches.

[TNtoolman]

Whenever I have a fixture with a number of holes to locate (such as hinges)... I do one hole and attach the fixture with a screw or whatever I am using to connect it... then when I have the hinge or whatever in place I mark all the others with no chance of movement. It takes a few more minutes to attach the fixture then remove but saves LOTS of aggravation.

[jacebmace]

Good stuff! Guess I’m buying a few more tools this weekend.

[daniellevin]

Thanks Dirt Farmer Jay, I didn't know any of those and will start to use them. However, I need to mark drill holes on an old stone wall. It has lots of dips and bumps and is very hard. Any suggestions?

[lisahale]

I would love the links for the tool sources! We definitely need to add some of these to our arsenal! Thanks 😀

[dssouthern]

Oh!!! I just had to buy that for my husband! It's called a drill security key or something like that.

[TheOtherGuybo]

You're awesome! Such simple tools, and I have some of them. But do you think I realized you could adjust the tension of the release spring on the adjustable automatic center punch. Dang, and here I was thinking my hand was too weak for the tool.
Thanks!

[lenpiazza]

A 28 piece set of transfer punches is available through Harbor Freight. Lower end steel so don't pound the ^$^%$&$& out of them on hard surfaces.

[danaildanailov]

The hardest wood is softer than the softest metal. (I mean metals in regular use.)

[miketheyunggod]

I am trying to transfer screw holes in a wall to the back of a bathroom cabinet.

[alanparadise]

Great tool tips Jay.. I will be buying a few more tool's.

[Rocksolidhandyman]

Quick tip, leave affiliate links in description so you can make some money from viewers who want to buy these.