drill press

scott.livesey

Dealer - Purveyor
expanding on a earlier thread.
I use a small Skil benchtop drill press. I use it mostly for scales and tangs. It is pretty sturdy and seems to be stable once everything is tight. I spent some time making sure everything is level, plumb and square. the 5/8" & 16mm slots in the table allow the use of different jigs and hold downs. A drill press vise from Victor Machine completes the set.
I use the lowest speed for all my metal drilling. I am looking to install a 3 phase motor with VFD.
This drill press would not be my first choice for making 3/4" diameter 4" deep holes in 4140 steel, but works well putting 1/8" holes in 1/8" steel or 1" wood. when drilling holes in a tang, i use screw machine drill bits. they are much shorter than standard or Jobber bits, so runout(oval holes) issues are reduced.
 
+1 on the screw machine bits. I chuck them up as deep as I can.
I installed a quality keyless chuck on my Craftsman 12" benchtop which made even more difference. Sometimes, other than hearing the press run, the chuck and bit appear motionless until I look closer. The press has surprised me in accuracy but I'd still use my mill for precision holes.

Rudy
 
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