Flexible shaft drill thingy? Where to buy?

[mschrank]

Have you thought about a drill chuck that you can adjust to any angle, even somewhat backwards. I thought it was called an Orbit or something like that, but I couldn't find a link . It's a ball shape item. There is a handle attached to the middle. Two halves spin, since the chuck and the insert to the chuck are offset on their halves, it allows you to drill in about any angle. Was thinking Lowe's or HD sold them for about $30.

$20.00 and free shipping for the Milescraft orbiter. I'd feel more confident using this rather than the shaft thing...and I bet you'd find uses for it later on.

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...ci_sku=3313900

[TheRic]

$20.00 and free shipping for the Milescraft orbiter. I'd feel more confident using this rather than the shaft thing...and I bet you'd find uses for it later on.

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...ci_sku=3313900

Nope, but close. Was thinking of the model 1300. Thanks for getting me pointed in the right direction to find the links.
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...2152_200322152


Home Depot $29.99
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...3&ddkey=Search


Lowes $26.97
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...937-41401-1300

[cgallery]

I think the right-angle attachments are going to be too bulky. The distance from the center of the drill bit to the narrowest face of the adapter has to be < 11/16".

[Uncle Hook]

Wallmart carries Black and Decker drilling accessories. They might carry a flexible shaft.

[cgallery]

Well, after all that research, I think I've discovered that I may not be able to use a pivot hinge. What I had not factored in was that by placing the pivot under the door, opening the door will result in the rear of he door entering the medicine cabinet carcase by approx. 1/2". This would interfere with the shelves within the cabinet.

I could either machine the glass shelves to accomodate the door (but I don't have a diamond wheel with which to do this), or I could just give up and go back to the conventional hinges. I suppose I could also use wood shelves, which would be easier to notch for the door.

Anyone know if a good way to make a small (maybe 5/8") semi-circle at the edge of a piece of glass?

[cgallery]

I decided to proceed with the pivot hinge. I figured I could machine the glass (non-tempered), wooden (most likely), or polycarbonate shelves to accommodate the swing of the door.

I was at Menards and found a Disston 3' flexible drill extension with a 1/4" chuck. Better yet, I noticed that the chuck had a 3/8" thread, and sitting right next to it on the shelf was a 3/8" chuck with the same thread (on sale, no less). The two pieces together ran $24, and didn't require that I find an 11/32" drill but with a reduced diameter for a 1/4" chuck, which is why I was in Menards to begin with ).

I made a small guide block that I clamped to my face frame, and had my wife operate the drill while I piloted the bit. It worked perfectly.

I did discover, however, that the door had to be mortised to accommodate the pivot hinge. Turns out the shoulder of the bushing (that inserts into the face frame) is approx. 3/32", and the bottom of the pivot hinge is another 1/16". So, if you're shooting for an even 3/32" reveal all the way around, you're gonna have problems.

I used my router table to remove 1/16" of material from the back of the door to accommodate the thickness of the hinge. It is longer than required for the hinge I used because I had three different styles of pivot hinges, and I made it long enough to accommodate the largest pivot hinge I had. You can't see the "relief" from the front of the cabinet, so I figured no harm.

All three pivot hinges I had on hand suffered from the same "you're going to need to remove some material from your door to make the reveal even." The first one I tried (the first one I linked in this thread) worked out great. It even has adjustments for centering the door in the opening (side to side and in/out).

Thanks everyone for the help!