Drill press recommendations

As a add-on to my question, I should ask if there are any mill/drill units that I should consider in this same price range. I realize that a mill/drill will never be as good of a mill as a true mill, but surely some drill presses make better mills than others. If nothing else, even for drilling and tapping I would like to have some kind of cross slide table to get accuracy on the hole placement. But it would also be nice to have another avenue other than a milling attachment for my lathe to do some actual milling.

Thanks, Jeff

Jeff, your question should be more in asking for advice once you tell us the machining operations you will be executing. Drill, tap, mill, turn, saw, file, grind, forge, cast, weld, braze, solder, broach, drill-jig ....

The machine you illustrate is ideal for quick change drilling and tapping... but not much else.

Wayne

Hi Wayne,

In a perfect world I would have a lathe, mill and drill press. In a less than perfect world (i.e. my garage) I only have space for a lathe and a "drill press sized" machine. So the closer that I could come to true milling capabilities the better, no doubt about it. On the other hand, if the combo mill/drill machine is going to be a "lousy" mill and only an "average" drill press, then I'd rather just get a "good" or "great" drill press and move on. I won't be doing any heavy duty production type work, but I do desire to have a highly accurate (and perhaps more importantly) repeatable machine. I would be patient with having to make 2 small cuts when milling, vs. one heavy cut with a true mill, for example. I don't need huge capacity. I'm looking to make small custom automotive parts, most of which would be between the sizes of a 1" cube and a 6" cube. As far as material, it would be lots of aluminum, but also some stainless and steel on occasion.

Does that help?

Thanks, Jeff

Get yourself a small bridgeport type machine or a bridgeport with a shorter table. that would give you a decent mill with drilling capabilities.

John

i second this, but the power down feed on the brigeport isnt all that strong, (not for holes over 1/2" imo) and has limited depth compared to a nice drill press

The power down feed is only for boring. You might get away with drilling small holes but you are likely to do some damage to the gearing.

John

As a general statement, you can't mill on a drillpress. If you sideload a morse tapered drill chuck it will release and possibly give you a good slap, certainly an unpleasant surprise. Thats why milling machines have drawbars , to contain and hold the taper.

Jeff B wrote:

I don't want to disapoint you, but that drillpress looks exactly like my taiwan DP. Just a little tuning like the VFD and the power feed added. IIRC, mine costed $150 in 2000.

Nick

Jeff B wrote: I only have space for a lathe and a

parts, most of

You're getting closer to the questions that you need to ask. There are several good quality small milling machines. For a mill, Google image "clausing 8250". Even if purchased for a dealer, it would be in your price range. I have a Hardinge TM with a vertical head, also very popular in the small shop. You will find small mills for sale (even here) often. It will help if you give your geographic region, as you probably are looking for something within "pickup" range.

Kevin Gallimore

parts, most of

Would that not be 8520? If so, google a 8530 as well.

check out

That 8520 and 8530 look like a nice size. Surely somebody today must make something that is in this same size range? Right or wrong, I just prefer to buy things new and keep them forever...

Thanks, Jeff

No...you wont hurt the gearing as there is a spring loaded clutch using matching gears and a spring holding them together..but it will only go clicktyclickityclickity past a certain point.

And John is correct..it IS rather feeble and only for boring. Ive used it for drills up to about 3/8" but with a good sharp split point and there are only 3 feed ranges..which often means you are having to compromise.

Gunner

Gunner

"If thy pride is sorely vexed when others disparage your offering, be as lamb's wool is to cold rain and the Gore-tex of Odin's raiment is to gullshit in the gale, for thy angst shall vex them not at all. Yea, they shall scorn thee all the more. Rejoice in sharing what you have to share without expectation of adoration, knowing that sharing your treasure does not diminish your treasure but enriches it."

- Onni 1:33

I understand your feeling. Unfortunately, all the US manufactures of this equipment have discontinued operation. All that is available is Asian machines that look OK on first impression, but will be found sorely lacking in use. Your best bet is quality made US iron that has been used but not abused.

I think you'll be happy with a bridgeport type mill. There are lots of them around, parts are readily available, they last forever. That Clausing is great also, much harder to find.

Karl

A friend has an Enco mill that is comparable in size to the Clausing mills and it seems to work just fine. The price is around $2000 but it has an 8 tpi leadscrew and trying to track of handle rotations in 0.125" increments would annoy me. Not a problem if a DRO is added, though.

Mike

Wayne sez: "> Jeff, your question should be more in asking for advice once you tell us the

Totally agree. Unless you specifically need the quick change and tapping features, perhaps in a production environment, you'd be better off with an ordinary drill press. Get a 20" floor model (brand new around $750) and save the extra bucks for other equipment.

Bob Swinney

I have no experience either but here's an alternative that I'd consider = if I was going for more of a drill press than a mill/drill or milling = machine.

Elton

I believe that Jet sells a half sized "bridgeport" style machine. Ive seen them badged with a host of other brand names. I have one, horizontal and vertical spindle motors, hummm perhaps 2/3rd the size of a bridgeport..capable of doing pretty good work actually in a much smaller footprint than a BP, but far far beefier than the cute but flimsey 8520/30

Rockwell made several also

"If thy pride is sorely vexed when others disparage your offering, be as lamb's wool is to cold rain and the Gore-tex of Odin's raiment is to gullshit in the gale, for thy angst shall vex them not at all. Yea, they shall scorn thee all the more. Rejoice in sharing what you have to share without expectation of adoration, knowing that sharing your treasure does not diminish your treasure but enriches it."

- Onni 1:33