Locator For Coaxial And Through Holes Drilling
The hole that has to come out the other side
Drilling a rod by hand is not really a drilling problem. It is an alignment problem.
You mark the centre of a 2mm rod. You start the pin vise. Two turns in, the bit has already found the softest part of the plastic and started leaning — and you will not know how far off it is until it breaks the surface on the far side, two-tenths from where it should be.
By then the part is finished. So is the evening.
Why freehand drilling drifts
A drill bit entering a round surface freehand has nothing holding its axis. The tip skates on the curve before it bites, and once it is off, every turn after that makes the error bigger — not smaller.
That is why "being careful" does not fix it. Care controls pressure. It does not control axis.
This locator fixes the axis mechanically before the bit touches the work. The rod is clamped in a V-groove sized to it; the bit passes through a guide hole above it. The bit has one direction to go.
Two modules, two jobs
Through-holes. The upper plate carries twelve guide holes. Clamp the rod, pick the guide that matches your bit, drill straight down. The hole enters and exits on the same axis — so a mounting pin, an axle or a rigging thread actually passes through.
Coaxial holes. The front grooves hold the rod along its length so you can drill into the end, down the centre line. This is the one that makes hollowed gun barrels, exhaust stacks and hydraulic conduits sit true instead of slightly cross-eyed.
It carries an optimised positioning module and threaded holes for the shaft — steadier setup, less play.
What it changes on your bench
- Holes that exit where you intended, not near it
- No skating: the bit is guided from the first turn
- Repeatable — the tenth hole matches the first
- Rods, sprue stock, barrels, tubing and kit parts that fit the grooves
- Fewer parts remade because a hole went crooked
Which set to pick
Locator Only. The jig on its own. Right choice if you already have a pin vise and a set of bits you like.
Locator Duo — Locator & Shank Module. Adds the Drill Shank Positioning Module, which steadies the shank of the bit above the guide hole. This is the pairing MAZHA sells as a set of its own: less the jig plus an accessory, more the finished tool.
Complete Set — Locator, Shank Module, Hand Drill & Bits. Adds the High Precision Hand Drill (five bits included) and the 20-piece carbide micro drill set, 0.1 to 2.0 mm. Nothing else to buy — open the box and drill the first hole.
Specs
- Brand: MAZHA | Model: T0012
- Guide holes: 0.3 / 0.5 / 0.8 / 1.0 / 1.2 / 1.5 / 1.8 / 2.0 / 2.2 / 2.5 / 2.8 / 3.0 mm — twelve sizes
- Guide hole tolerance: ±0.1 mm
- Fixture grooves: 1.0 / 1.5 / 2.0 / 2.5 / 3.0 / 4.0 mm
- Groove tolerance: ±0.1–0.2 mm
- Clamping range: 1–4 mm round rod
- Body: approx. 60 × 46 mm, 52 mm tall including the thumbscrew
- Positioning module: optimised, with threaded shaft holes
Not for
- Square, hex or flat stock — the grooves are cut for round rod
- Rod thinner than 1 mm or thicker than 4 mm
- Bits above 3.0 mm
- Powered drills — this is a hand-drilling jig
FAQ
Do I still need a pin vise? Yes — this holds the work and guides the bit, you supply the drill. The Complete Set includes one; if you are buying the locator on its own, the High Precision Hand Drill ships with five bits, and the carbide micro drill bits go down to 0.1 mm.
Will it work on kit parts, not just rod? Anything round that sits in a 1–4 mm groove — barrels, tubing, sprue stock, antenna mounts. Irregular parts need a different approach.
How accurate is it really? The guide holes are held to ±0.1 mm and the grooves to ±0.1–0.2 mm. In practice the limit is usually bit flex on deep holes, not the jig.
Coaxial and through-holes — what is the difference? A through-hole crosses the rod. A coaxial hole runs down its centre line from the end. This does both, using different modules.
What does the Shank Module actually add? It supports the bit above the guide hole, so a long thin bit cannot flex sideways as it cuts. It matters most on deep holes and on bits under 1 mm.
Is it worth it if I only drill occasionally? The case is not volume, it is the part you cannot replace. One rescued piece is usually the whole argument.
See it working: there is a video at the end of the image gallery above.
We pride ourselves on fast service—orders are processed in less than 24 hours and shipped within hours after that, Monday through Saturday. Most deliveries arrive within 1 to 2 weeks from placing your order, so you won’t have to wait long to start enjoying your purchase.