Question for Machinists

Posted: Mon Jun 12, 2017 10:48 pm

Under what circumstances would you ever consider outfitting a drill press with a proper collet holder to accept an endmill for light milling in aluminum. How about if the only thing holding the collet chuck onto the drill press spindle is a JT3 mount with no drawbar?

I have no room in either my shop or my budget for a proper milling machine, and I have seen the collet chuck and collets I would use with my drillpress. I talked to one machinist who claims never to have had a problem doing light milling with a taper mounted collet chuck, but he did admit how exciting it would be if the chuck ever came off.

What do you think?

Thanks.

Posted: Mon Jun 12, 2017 11:35 pm

I haven't seen a drill press yet that met the required tolerances to do milling.

I believe you might be better suited to buy a used one of these mini-mills:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bench-Milling-Drilling-Machine-7-1-2-x-23-Table-Size-R8-Spindle/282513214481?_trksid=p2045573.c100506.m3226&_trkparms=aid%3D555014%26algo%3DPL.DEFAULT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D41375%26meid%3D6ec8d95c04584c25906d2f9ffdff0797%26pid%3D100506%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26

They pop up on CL from time to time.

Posted: Mon Jun 12, 2017 11:52 pm

I'm not proud of the fact,,,but I have used my good router,,,shame,,shame. But,it did do a fine job!

Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2017 12:35 am

You can buy a used knee mill for the price you'll pay for one of those Chinese bench mills.

Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2017 1:06 am

+1 on a bench press is not ridge enough. A used one, even if it isn't in top shape will do most things most people need. If you start getting into tighter tolerances then yeah, but new or a good used.
It stinks not having room for stuff, I'm lucky I can use all the machines at my work. If only I could find the time and little bit of money...

Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2017 6:12 am

guilty of using a drill press Embarassed

- its what I have, you can, by feel generally work around the inaccuracy but generally its for cosmetic milling versus tight engineering
I have had the milling tool go awal due to a morse taper coming loose, not nice, since then i'm very fussy about cleaning / inspecting the taper for any dirt, rags / scratches etc.. - keep then clean and smooth and I've not had a problem

biggest thing I need to now invest in ( biggest restriction in using a drill press) = the two axis table, presently i'm using a cheap alloy bed e-bay special, and it can really get going with the vib's - constantly tightening up bolts on it - really need to get a big heavy steel table but TBH, for the price of a decent one, your as well getting the milling machine attached to it
my drill press is a well decent floor standing unit, solid cast thing - regularity pump grease into the bearings helps to tighten up accuracy