Is it safe to use a drill press as a mill on brass & Al?

H

Hoplophile

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Feb 23, 2001
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I have a drill press that my girlfriend bought for me a couple years ago. It is one of the top of the line floor models from Harbor Freight. (LOL) I am interested in milling some handles for folders out of aluminum and brass. Would it damage me or the drill press to "misuse" it as an end mill on these softer metals?
Definitely not planning on steel, just brass and aluminum.
Thanks,
Jeff
 
I'm no machinist, but it sounds like you're most likely to damage the bearings in the drill press. I don't think it's designed to take lateral stress like that.

As for injuries, I dunno. It will be interesting to hear what those more knowledgable think.

Mike
 
Hop, don't do it! I screwed up my drill press trying to slot brass guards. I was being quite gentle with it too. The shaft just isn't meant to take any kind of lateral pressure.

Hugh
 
OK, makes sense why milling machines cost many times what a drill press costs. What about using a mortising attachment?
 
jeff; this is my drill press setup as a mill. I have been using it for 3 years with no problems. I have used it on brass & 1018. You must take your time and smaal cuts.
View
 
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But you will need a table such as the one in George's pic. And make dayuned sure your work is clamped down very securely!!!!
Very light cuts might not hurt the bearings too much, but in reality they're not made for lateral pressures and depending upon what kind of bearings your drill press has as well as the structure around the bearing has a lot to do with how long they will last.
Keep the bearings well lubed too and quit when they start to overheat.

Another problem I have had when doing something like this is having the endmill slip in the chuck.
Use only single ended and center cutting end mills for best results.

And remember ony Light Cuts!!!!
 
Save up and buy a bench mill. Then you'll have a bench mill and a drill press. Otherwise, you might end up with nothing! ;)

The loads on the bearings have already been mentioned. However, I'd like to add to that:

One of the most important things to remember is that both workholding and toolholding are very important to get good results in a safe manner! Take a look at your drill chuck. It holds onto tools by three little wedges that contact the tool at the edge. End mill holders and collets provide much more contact because of the side loads the cutters encounter!

Another thing to keep in mind is: Just because a material is "softer" than steel doesn't mean the end mill won't grab it and try to rip it off the table! Some types of brass work harden quite easily, and many aluminum alloys are machined at very high surface speeds (RPM + feed) for optimum results. Trying to mill these materials "delicately" might prove counter-productive. ;)
 
I have burned up two drill presses using only the drum sanding attachments. They are NOT made for side stress.

The motising attachments work well and don't hurt the equipment.

Just my $.02.
Dave
 
I agree with Indian george.

1, make sure that you have the correct bits
2, go gently take small cuts, don't hog it off
3, you need some kind of vice or jig to hold your work

always remember the key to working safely and accuratly is control

you have to be able to control the movement of the bit both up and down and laterally.
dont think that you can do this with your hands.
I've milled aluminium brass plastic and cast iron my cross vice worked OK (ah you noticed the past tence, My older brother came for a visit and used it as an anvil.:eek: :mad: )

go gently you'll be fine

(always experiment on scrap first):eek:
 
Sounds like my brother!

He drilled right into my brand new vise a few years back! :eek:

(and he's a machinist! :rolleyes: )


Guess who doesn't get to use my tools anymore!? :p
 
Most (if not all) of the import drill presses chucks are MT3, and are friction fit.
If ya don't have it JB Welded or tack welded in place, life gets interesting when the chuck goes spinning across the shop with an end mill in it!!!! (Don't ask!!!!!!):eek: :rolleyes: :eek:
Harry
 
I suggest a Smithy. Great tools. Fairly Good price.

If you use your drill press as a mill, I'd buy a few sets of extra bearings to have around, just in case!
 
I'll give you a qualifed Yes you can.... answer. I have used mine to mill the entire trigger area behind the mag well on a 50% finished AR receiver. USE A CARBIDE BURR. Nothing else. Go very very slow and little pressure. It won't hurt your press doing that but you will not get a precise cut. There is little you can do to keep the chuck from wandering a few 1000's. Don't try this with steel. You cannot mill steel on a drill press. There is a reason my mill cost $3000.00 and my drill press cost $300.00.:D
 
A BIG PLUNGE ROUTER WITH CARBIDE TOOL WILL DO THE JOB. YOU JUST HAVE TO USE IT WITH A CENTERING JIG.
KEN (WWJD)
 
You could use a drill press for milling, but you will not obtain the accuracy of a reall mill or a dremel. I mostly use my dremel, a regular carbide drill bites sideways in brass too. Just do it slowly.
 
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