High speed precision guide device for creating holes for piles or other support members

A guide device for forming a hole in the ground, comprising:

• a hammer having a hammer tip;
• a guide frame member for guiding the hammer into one or more vertical positions along the guide frame member;
• and
• a movement control assembly between the hammer and the guide frame, the movement control assembly selectively moving said hammer downwardly and upwardly along said guide frame so that said hammer tip penetrates the ground to form the hole;
• and
• an alignment device configured to be secured to the ground as a separate component from the guide frame member;
• wherein the guide frame member further includes on one end a centering plate configured to mate within the alignment device configured to be secured to the ground as a separate component from the guide frame member;
• and
• wherein the centering plate is configured to be removed from the alignment device and wherein the hammer is used to form the hole while the centering plate is removed from the alignment device.

A method for guiding a percussion hammer device with a shaft to create a hole in the ground, comprising:

• connecting the percussion hammer device with a guide frame member and a drive motor;
• positioning an alignment template about a marked location, the alignment template configured to be secured to the ground as a separate component from the guide frame member;
• positioning a centering plate within the alignment template, the centering plate being positioned about the marked location, wherein the guide frame member further includes on one end the centering plate configured to mate within the alignment template configured to be secured to the ground as a separate component from the guide frame member;
• securing the alignment template into the ground;
• removing the centering plate from the alignment template;
• positioning the shaft at a desired location within the alignment template;
• moving the hammer device and shaft downwardly along the guide frame member into the ground to make a hole in the ground.