Thread: Default drill press speed

barri: I'm on the road. I think that my DP runs some 800 rpm bottom speed.
Will check when I get home. With 60 - 100 grits, that's fine for a lot of wood sanding projects.

As a wood carver, I like to use copper and abalone shell for inlay.
I run some 1200 - 2000 rpm for cutting and shaping.

It's pretty tricky to recommend a speed unless we know what you are usually drilling
But you can easily work this out for yourself as there are plenty of drill speed charts on the web.
e.g. https://www.fnal.gov/pub/takefive/pd...peed_Chart.pdf

FWIW I have a VFD on my DP that gives a ~6 fold range of speed so it typically runs between 150 and 1750 rpm which covers most situations.
I do change belt positions when drilling large holes in steel or using large Forstner bits.

Thanks Bob. I did actually mention in the OP what I normally drill. 99.99% wood, mostly less than 1" (forstner bit) of softwood or mdf or plywood. The odd hardwood. 99% of holes are less than 1/2". Also some drum sanding.
I guess what I'm asking, is 1150 a better "all round" speed than the 660.

I have looked at those charts which may indicate that 1150 is better in my case

I would use 1150 myself. It will give a smoother hole in my experience. It is the speed I am using and I work on similar material.

Originally Posted by barri

Thanks Bob. I did actually mention in the OP what I normally drill. 99.99% wood, mostly less than 1" (forstner bit) of softwood or mdf or plywood. The odd hardwood. 99% of holes are less than 1/2". Also some drum sanding.
I guess what I'm asking, is 1150 a better "all round" speed than the 660.

I have looked at those charts which may indicate that 1150 is better in my case

Yeah 1150 would seem like ether one.

ive got a full height delta with 3 pulleys each with 4 settings. I used to fart about with the speed settings but no longer worry about it. its been on the highest setting (about 2000 rpm or more I think - cant remember; but bloody fast) for over 3 years at least and I use it as a drum sander, I drill galv steel and all sorts of timber all the time. my largest forstner bit is about 66mm I think and no probs whatsoever. there will be a lot of guys here that tell you "dearie me you should use the correct speed and the smaller the hole the faster the spindle..." but I'm here to tell you so long as you give the bigger diameters time to disperse the swarf and dont push down too hard then you wont get too much burn. mind you, i keep me bits sharp.

I doubt you have it on the highest speed setting. From memory those deltas have a 3/4 or maybe 1HP motor on them and at full RPM there is simply insufficient torque to drill a 50 mm hole with a Forstner let alone a 66mm hole. I see blokes at the mens shed trying to do this every now and then. They stand there for ages, slowly nibbling away at the wood, over-heating the bit, and risking injury to themselves and others. Sometimes I wish I had a sin-bin card for those blokes.

Originally Posted by BobL

Sometimes I wish I had a sin-bin card for those blokes.

Complete with a chair at a fenced off naughty boy corner

Originally Posted by Zed

Its been on the highest setting (about 2000 rpm or more I think - cant remember; but bloody fast) for over 3 years at least and I use it as a drum sander, I drill galv steel and all sorts of timber all the time.

Interesting post Zed. I've changed my speed to 1150 and all holes are clean and smooth but drum sanding seems a bit slow. I'm now thinking my default speed should be higher. Should I go to 1400 or 1500?

speeds.JPG

Originally Posted by barri

Interesting post Zed. I've changed my speed to 1150 and all holes are clean and smooth but drum sanding seems a bit slow. I'm now thinking my default speed should be higher. Should I go to 1400 or 1500?

You'll want use about 800-1000 fpm linear speed for efficient sanding

So ~1725 rpm for 4" , 2300 for 3" and 3000+ for 2" drums

Originally Posted by barri

Interesting post Zed. I've changed my speed to 1150 and all holes are clean and smooth but drum sanding seems a bit slow. I'm now thinking my default speed should be higher. Should I go to 1400 or 1500?

speeds.JPG

Whatever works is what I do, I suggest you do the same.