Cross slide drill press vise question

Michael J. Spangler

Michael J. Spangler

Joined
Oct 8, 2003
Messages
2,181
would one of those cross slide drill press vises be good enough for slotting a guard?? as long as i went nice and slow? you know the ones, kind of like mill tables but cheaper(in every aspect)
 
They will work, to a point. They'll also trash your drill spindle, eventually. The largest difference between a mill drill and a drill press is the ability of the mill to take side force exerted perpendicular to the spindle.
 
fitzo, Knows these things.

I tried what you're talking about. There just isn't enough weight on the whole system either. Chatter and trashed the chuck/spindle. I was able to replace the chuck and I'm OK now.

And those vices don't hold as straight a line as you need. Even for drilling holes in a line!

On the other hand I'm glad I have it. It is a handy addition. Like when drilling blocks for hiddent tang jobs.

I sure wish I asked like you did, before I tried.

Steve
 
I used on for about 6 months to slot guards but the lack of rigidity finally made me go to an inexpensive table top mill.
 
I think drilling holes and using a chainsaw file would be quicker Mike. That's the way I'm still doing it unitl I come across a great deal on a mill.
;)
 
I think it was Wayne Goddard that had the hint of 'center punching' with a cold chisel. Gives you a stright line to start.
Lynn
 
good idea lynn. yeah J. i think thats the way to go, or just use IG's mill while he's not looking!. i forsee a mill in the very distant future though..... after all of the other things we all wanna buy
 
If you just have to try milling on the press, Make a steel Y with the base of the Y bent to fit around the column of your press and a bolt through it to allow it to clamp.

On the two top forks, mount wheels with bearings. Make it just long enough to allow the wheels to fit against the chuck.

This will allow you enough support to mill toward the column without damaging the bearings in your press.

It is also a very poor substitute for a mill!
 
Originally posted by peter nap
It is also a very poor substitute for a mill!
Click to expand...

yeah, but a pretty inventive idea, external spindle stabilization.
 
Something you might try in order to take the side load off your drill spindle would be to start with a drilled hole and plunge your mill cutter through the hole and back up. Then move over about .010" and plunge cut again. I have a Bridgeport Mill and even as ridged as it is I plunge cut all slots this way large or small. The best thing is is that you almost never brake an expensive mill cutter this way.
Good luck
 
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