Drill press milling vise?

K

Kentucky

Well-Known Member
Anyone tried or had any luck using a drill press milling vise. You know, just to mill out guards, small stuff??
 
Unless you have a grand to drop on a cheap mill it's the next best thing, IMO. I have used one many times. Just remember it doesn't make your drillpress a mill so it's slow and easy it goes. Pick up a couple of each size end mill that you will use because you more than likely going to break a few.
 
Dont get me wrong,they wont..BUT they are pain to remove large ammounts of material with :D:D:D I thought I might try drilling a series oh holes and then just remove a small ammount of material with the mill. Then clean up with files..I hate not having access to machinery like I use too:mad:
 
Yup, Drew is right. I tried the vise. Thought that was going to be great. The first side pressure and the taper dropped right out of the quil. Even on milling machines you don't put side pressure on a chuck. You use collets.
 
pretty much what Wayne said.

I have a $400 milling machine and it's fine, probably have $800 in it with tooling.

I do have a cross slide vise for my drill press, but use it for holding and positioning work. It's a nice thing to have, for sure.

If you happen to have a lathe, there are two, and only two milling jobs that are really easy on a lathe- 1: keways. 2: milling guard slots. You do need a milling attachment, though.
 
Kentucky said:
Dont get me wrong,they wont..BUT they are pain to remove large ammounts of material with :D:D:D I thought I might try drilling a series oh holes and then just remove a small ammount of material with the mill. Then clean up with files..I hate not having access to machinery like I use too:mad:
Click to expand...

Oh, incidentally. One good trick with the cross slide (aka "milling") vise on the drill press is as follows:

(adjust sizes for whatever you are doing.)

I need to file a slot, a hair over 3/16 inch wide and 1.25 inches long.

First, I scribe the line. Then I move in from each end about 4/32 (3/16 is 6/32. moving in 3/32 would give you a dead on match if your drilling is perfect, but it's not.) - centerpunch those two holes. Then move in a bit over 1/8 inch and centerpunch, repeat. No spacing can be LESS than a hair over 1/8 inch.

now, where you have centerpunched, drill 1/8 inch holes.

Then, on the ends, drill 3/16 inch holes. repeat every other hole. you should have a slot, ready to be cleaned up.

It sounds complicated but only takes a few minutes
 
Right now with economy. Mills can be had for about 750.00. Just watch your machinery auctions. They are all over the place. Plus go make friends with your local machine shop. They can machine that slot for about $5.00 to $10.00. Kentucky where you from?
 
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Far eastern,Ky over in the mountains..Floyd co. 2thumbs I can always go to my wifes papaw and use his but Ive always used this simple rule when it comes to borrowing " If you borrow it more than twice, you need buy one fer' yourself" ;)
 
About borrowing my brother says, "If you can't afford to buy your own, you can't afford to borrow mine."
 
Kentucky said:
Anyone tried or had any luck using a drill press milling vise. You know, just to mill out guards, small stuff??
Click to expand...

Using your drill press as a milling machine is like using a crescent wrench as a hammer or a screwdriver as a chisel. Not the right tool. Yes, it MAY work at times, but eventually you'll screw up your work and/or your tool.

The spindles on drill presses and mills are different. Mills have more complicated spindles that are made for a side load as well as down. Drills are only made to go down and aren't sturdy or precise enough for milling.

Most of those 2 axis tables or vises for a drill press are not made for actual milling. They are made for locating holes only.

Use the right tool for the job. Even a mediocre mill is better for this operation than a good drill press. You can buy a small bench top mill from J&L or Grizzly and not spend a fortune, or you can find used ones on ebay or at machine shops that are closing. As Jim pointed out, you can find some good prices.

And Deltashooter, you're right, files never do go away! I use a bench top mill to make slots in guards, but I fit them with files.

David
 
Yea, I know thats what kills me. I know it would be hard on the quill bearings. No doubt about it.
 
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koyote said:
Oh, incidentally. One good trick with the cross slide (aka "milling") vise on the drill press is as follows:

(adjust sizes for whatever you are doing.)

I need to file a slot, a hair over 3/16 inch wide and 1.25 inches long.

First, I scribe the line. Then I move in from each end about 4/32 (3/16 is 6/32. moving in 3/32 would give you a dead on match if your drilling is perfect, but it's not.) - centerpunch those two holes. Then move in a bit over 1/8 inch and centerpunch, repeat. No spacing can be LESS than a hair over 1/8 inch.

now, where you have centerpunched, drill 1/8 inch holes.

Then, on the ends, drill 3/16 inch holes. repeat every other hole. you should have a slot, ready to be cleaned up.

It sounds complicated but only takes a few minutes
Click to expand...
I gotta try this! Thanks for the tip, koyote!
 
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