Drill Jig 3D Printing: A Simple Guide to Designing Drilling Guides for Repetitive Workshop Tasks

If you’ve ever had to drill the same hole in the same part over and over again, you know how much time is wasted on marking each time. This is exactly where a drill jig 3D print solution comes in: a simple guide piece that directs the drill bit to the right spot at the right angle significantly improves both speed and repeatability. In this article, we explain how to design your own jig from scratch.

Measure Before You Start Designing the Jig

A good jig is built around the part you’ll be working on. Start by measuring the critical dimensions of the part to be drilled with a caliper: hole centers, edge distances, and the surface the part will sit on. Designing a reference surface (stop) that allows the jig to sit on this part in only one way, without slipping, is the most critical step. If the part cannot be inserted into the jig the wrong way, the possibility of incorrect drilling is eliminated from the start.

The drill guide and bushing question

As the drill bit rubs against the plastic hole, it wears it down and widens it over time. There are two ways to prevent this:

• Using a steel bushing: Design a pocket in the jig that accepts a standard drill bushing with a tight fit. The bushing transfers all wear to the steel; your jig lasts longer.
• Direct plastic hole: If you’re only doing a small number of drillings, leave a hole in the print slightly smaller than the actual drill diameter. Convenient, but prone to wear.

The Right Settings for Printing

Since jigs work under force, keep the infill rate high; 40–60% infill and at least 4 walls (perimeters) give a solid body. If the direction the drill pushes is perpendicular to the layer direction, the part is less prone to delamination. For material choice:

• PETG: More resistant to friction heat and impact than PLA, an ideal middle ground for workshop jigs.
• ABS or ASA: More suitable for situations with heavy heat and continuous use.
• PLA: Fast and economical for one-time or low-volume use.

Once you’ve completed your design, send us your file and we can recommend a material based on your usage intensity and prepare a quick quote. For complex jigs with multiple bushing pockets, choosing the right material makes a big difference in dimensional accuracy.

Do you have a repetitive task? Share your measurements and let’s work together on a jig that fits perfectly in your workshop.