How it connects
The bit enters the smooth bore and remains free to rotate and slide axially while the bore guides its position and angle. This is a temporary tool-guiding interface; it does not retain the bit or form a fluid seal.
Male and female halves
The bore is the receiving (female) side; the drill bit is the inserted tool. “Female” is a descriptive role here, not a thread designation. Any external bushing mounting thread is a separate interface.
Usually connects to
Common sizes
- Available nominal sizes include nominal bit sizes 1/4 in (6.35 mm), 5/16 in (7.9375 mm), and 3/8 in (9.525 mm). A manufacturer lists these replaceable bushing sizes. These are bit sizes, not measured bore diameters or tolerance specifications.
Where it is used
Woodworking doweling jigsGuided drilling for dowel joints
Variations
- Different nominal drill-bit bore sizes
- Replaceable bushings with threaded exterior mounts and smooth guiding bores
How to recognise it
Look for a smooth, round through-hole aligned with the intended drilling axis in a jig, often with a metal sleeve and a bit-size label. Confirm its drill-guiding role from documentation; a round hole alone does not establish the interface. Inspect the internal bore separately from any external mounting thread.
Often confused with
| Confused with | How to tell them apart |
|---|---|
| Dowel receiving socket | A dowel socket locates or retains a dowel in the assembled joint. This bore guides a rotating drill bit during hole making. |
| Female threaded bushing mount | Mount threads attach a replaceable bushing to the jig; the working bore inside the bushing is smooth and receives the drill bit. |
| Pipe slip socket | A pipe socket joins tubing; this guide is sized for a cutting tool and permits rotation and axial feed. |
Also called
Drill bushing boreDrill-guide sleeve boreJig bushing bore
Good to know
The smooth internal bore guides a tool; it is not a retained joint or a thread standard. External threads on replacement bushings are separate. Check guide length and bore clearance for the tool.
Related connections
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