Thread: bench drill press

I just re-read that. God, I sound so intellegent. Blame it on the meds!

They have the clamp your are talking about at Carba-tec Eliza.

basicly you will need a "machine Vice" lots of these around fairly cheaply, 4,5, or 6 '' depending on the size bench drill you get. You don't need an expensive dedicated blank vice to drill blanks , cheaper and effective job can be done with 2 bits of wood the width of your jaws and about the same height or slightly higher than the jaws and about 3/4 thick.Simply clamp the two pieces in your drill vice ,and then find the centre between the two and drill a neat hole about 3/8 to 1/2 inch right through, This will give you a vertical hole which is in line with your drill, simply loosen the vice till you can slide in your blank on diagonals and retighten ,you now have the workpiece clamped securely and in a true vertical position. If you need some more help to set this up send me a PM Cheers ~ John

Like so:

http://www.timbecon.com.au/assets/po...ProductID=8497

$19.90 for 100mm size. $34.90 for 150mm size.

These are Timbecon prices, but the same thing is available from most woodwork suppliers.

http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com...ight=edblysard

Check this and see if it helps...

Hey Eliza,

I can ony offer this advice, if you buy a drill press make sure that you get the longest travel that you can, most economy models only drill about 50mm, I got an orange one from Carbatec that drills about 65mm, you can make a pen vice pretty easily with a router and a couple of offcuts. someone closer than me could probably help you get something sorted. if not PM me and I'll try and get a pic or a drawing to you.

HazzaB

Eliza

I agree with Hazza

get one with at least a 80 mm throw

Also consider the bench space you have - a free standing one doesn't take bench space, but will be more expensive. I find drilling on the lathe more reliable particularly if the blanks are not always square (be it from cutting or from laminating), the lathe doesn't seem to 'follow the grain as much as the drill press). I have (should say HAD) plenty of floor space when I bought the pedestal press and don't regret that decision.

JD

Thanks everyone.

Is drilling with the drill press less taxing physically then drilling with the lathe? Maybe I just need sharper drill bits

(my ribs are inflamed at the moment, and using the lathe to drill holes is hurting. I know, I know "so don't drill holes!")

Hi Eliza,

You shouldn't be exerting too much in drilling on a press. I use a floor standing model and it's no strain at all. I've never drilled on the lathe but I can't imagine it would be that strenuous, so dull drill bits might be the problem. If you smell a burning/smoky odour from the timber during or after drilling, that would be pretty well confirmed.

This is the one I use http://www.addictivepenkits.com.au/p...roducts_id=227 .
David

Originally Posted by ElizaLeahy

Thanks everyone.

Is drilling with the drill press less taxing physically then drilling with the lathe? Maybe I just need sharper drill bits

(my ribs are inflamed at the moment, and using the lathe to drill holes is hurting. I know, I know "so don't drill holes!")

I haven't drilled on a lathe, so can't compare, but used my little bench drill press for 6 months and it was no strain at all. However, having just upgraded to a floor standing model, I can tell you they are worlds apart in the ease of use. Bench models are a pain compared to floor models. I know, budget rules, so a bench model is probably all you can afford (whata re they, about $100? vs $350 - $400 for a cheap floor model). My old one is now my permanent pen press for assembly.

Either will be better than the lathe for ease of use, but drill on the lathe is probably the more accurate method for getting a straight hole. I couldn't get straight holes on my bench press, now I can on the floor model, but then I never used a vice on the bench one, as it was too small to accommodate a vice anyway.

Russell.

I use a Toolex Mini Bench press.

It only has a travel of 50mm.....but I have gotten straight drill holes through pen blanks with a little effort

I've used both lathe, small bench press and a much bigger bench press (I'm about to sell the small press)
I prefer the bigger press - goes through much quicker, as I said has a 80mm throw
easier then the lathe as no winding just use the lever - I got this one for christmas from Hare & Forbes (I think there is a machinery house business in Brissy somewhere)
It does what I need it to do