We always enjoy seeing the creative ways our customers put BLUEROCK tools to work, and this custom drilling setup from Stray Arc Metalworks from BC Canada, is a great example of jobsite problem-solving and fabrication ingenuity.

The project started with a unique drilling challenge: creating 1-1/4” diameter holes approximately 11” deep in large wood bridge timbers. The customer needed a setup that could drill multiple deep holes accurately and efficiently in 10” x 10” x 36” fir bridge blocks, often used for logging road bridge work in remote, off-grid locations.

Using the BLUEROCK 10Z1 core drill along with our Z1-compatible 5/8” chuck and adapter kit, Stray Arc Metalworks built a custom portable drill press platform designed for one-person operation. The 10Z1’s rack-and-pinion stand and approximately 18” of total travel made it a strong fit for the application, while the chuck adapter allowed the machine to run the twist-style bit needed for the wood drilling setup.

The end result was a rugged, mobile drilling platform that dramatically improved efficiency. According to the customer, drilling these holes now takes one person only a few minutes, compared to several workers spending most of a day using the previous method.

This is exactly the type of real-world application we love to see: a customer identifying a problem, building a practical solution, and using BLUEROCK equipment in a smart, efficient way.

A big thank you to Stray Arc Metalworks for sharing the build and photos with us. You can check out more of their work on Instagram at @stray_arc_metalworks.

Featured tools:

• BLUEROCK 10Z1 Core Drill
• BLUEROCK Z1-Compatible 5/8” Chuck and Adapter Kit for Twist Bits and Masonry Bits

While the 10Z1 is primarily designed as a concrete core drill, this project shows how versatile the platform can be when paired with the right adapter, tooling, and a well-designed custom fixture.