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4/22/2017 10:23 pm  #1


How I finally got an 8" drill press to work with an end mill.

The drill press, Central Machine, (same as several others sold under different names), doesn't have any way to lock the spindle in place.  Plus, it chattered fearfully when lowered.
So I tried it by cutting a piece of aluminum held in an x-y vise with the spindle fully raised.  It cut pretty well, going slowly it didn't chatter.
So, I came up with a set-up where I raise and lower the vise so that each end mill is at the appropriate depth with the spindle fully raised.  Then I remove the cutter, place the lower in the vise. insert the cutter and double check with the calipers before FINALLY cutting!
Man does this take time and patience, but, unless I get a different drill press, this is the best method I can think of.
In the photo, there are several blocks of wood, they are each 1/4" different and for a stubby 3/8" Hogging cutter that I use first, to save time!, I stack the blocks.  I just have to watch how tight I go on the 4 5" bolts that clamp the vise to the bench.  I have wing-nuts on the bottom.
I also swing the regular adjustable table to the rear when using the vise, then, for drilling, I remove the vise and swing the drill press table around from back to front and drill normally, using the stop on the spindle for depth.
It took quite a while to devise this system, but except for the time required to move the vise whenever I have to change cutters, it works and doesn't chatter so bad that I fear for life and limb!
'just another challenge, another puzzle to solve!

Here's the link or image:
https://image.ibb.co/ezZcbQ/20170407_171034.jpg
 

 

4/26/2017 2:11 pm  #2


Re: How I finally got an 8" drill press to work with an end mill.

On the right side of the drill press is a set screw.  This set screw is used to put tension on the quill.  You can remove it, and add a brass tipped screw to use as a quill lock.

http://www.harborfreight.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_21484.jpg

This is also another option.
http://brokenarms.boardhost.com/viewtopic.php?id=40
 

 

4/26/2017 7:31 pm  #3


Re: How I finally got an 8" drill press to work with an end mill.

Cool,
That will save me a great deal of time on the BA lower I'll soon be ordering.
Thanks,
R

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