Does anyone know where one could find the jig to make the flex coat pilot drill bits? I have been looking but have not been able to find itfor a decent price. I have found the bits themselves on @#$%& and some other sites but they go for way more then for way more than what i am willing to spend . Thank you for your help. Lance

FishSticks4U, one of the sponsors of this site, has them and good prices too! I've found Robert to be extremely helpful. Ask to speak to him and good luck.

I guess if you don't want to pay for it, then you can't get it. Make it yourself.

The pilot tube is pretty much just a piece of short 1/4 inch aluminum tubing. The jig is helpful in maintaining alignment while the epoxy cures. But, you could probably fashion your own home made jig if you don't want to spring for the Flex Coat model. Still, it's not much to spend to make these tools that will last you forever. Spade bits can be found at most discount hardware stores for just a buck or two apiece. You don't need highly quality bits to bore these arbors.

Custom Tackle Supply is one place that I know carried the jigs. Call and ask if they have any. I'm not sure what the price is.

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The Flex Coat jig is WELL worth the price! The thing makes making numerous pilot drills a very simple task. I guess you could spend a few hours or days whittling one out of an exotic wood and come up with something almost as perfectly aligned. If you are drilling out a lot of arbors of different sizes NOT having a jig is false economy. If you are not doing many just work the arbor material by hand with a round file and be done with it. Buy the thing make some extra bits and sell them on @#$%& for enough to recover your initial cost!

Gon Fishn

I too wanted to try these bits, but didnt feel like springing for the cost. Here's how I made mine. I purchased a cheap set of pilot bits at my local hardware store and bough some 1/4 tubing. I then mounted a block of wood into my drill press, chuced up a 1/4" bit and drilled a 3/8" deep hole in the block. I cut a length of 1/4" alum. tubing, and put it in the hole, chucked a spade bit into the drill press, put some 5 min. epoxy on the tubing, and lowered the bit into the end of the tube and held it for a bit to allow it to set up. After letting them cure I had a decent set of pilot bits that are sqare and cut true.

Scott Sheets

I built mine much the same way as Scott did, using some 1/4" X 1" aluminum spacers from Tru-Value Hardward. The slots in spade bits marked with fairly accurate measuring, fine Sharpie and cut with a heavy-duty Dremel cut-off wheel (wearing eye protection!). The bits were then secured in a vice and the aluminum tubes pounded into place using a rubber mallet. I didn't use epoxy with this technique and didn't need a jig. A set of spade bits are inexpensive, as are the aluminum spacers.

Stan

Thank you for the help. I willl find a way. Lance