Use a CD or DVD as a reflection guide

Place a CD or DVD flat on the workpiece with the hole centered over your drilling mark. Look at the reflection of the drill bit in the shiny surface — adjust the drill until the bit and its reflection form a perfectly straight line. Remove the disc and drill.

Why It Works

The reflective surface acts like the mirror method but with a convenient center hole for alignment. When the bit appears to continue straight into the reflection with no angle break, the drill is perpendicular to the surface.

Tips

• Free to use with any old scratched disc you don't need
• Works best on flat, smooth surfaces where the disc can sit level
• Remove the disc before drilling — it's only for alignment checking, not a physical guide
• Combine with slow speed and a center-punched starting point for best results