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Posted: 1/9/2007 8:27:29 AM EDT
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I'm looking into getting a drill press for metalwork and wanted to know a few things. What are the most important functions of a drill press when it's used for milling? why? What are the most important features of an end mill and why? I'm reading more on the subject, I just wanted more information from first-hand sources. |
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My advice would be to never ever use a drill press for milling... They are not designed for the side stresses that milling causes... eta more in this thread www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=1&f=5&t=534902 |
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From my experience, you may want to just go buy a small mini mill from Harbor Freight. They have one for sale at $269.00. I have one. It's pretty good. Most drill press arent' designed for horizontal load and the chuck wil fall out of the taper (not sure what is called). If you are thinking of the HF X-Y table, they aren't high quality. |
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I have an XY positioning attachment on a drill press. Even if you have to mill a slot in aluminum in an emergency, it is not a good idea. There is so much slop in the drill shaft that you cannot possibly feed the work without chatter. Chatter leads to chipping. Chipping leads to breaking. Breaking leads to shrapnel. Definately get the right tool for the job. It could save your life. I think I want a mill and have had several uses for one. When I did some serious shopping, I found some full sized Bridgeports for $1200 in California. I don't really have the room for a big one, but it is hard to shell out money for a little inferior mill when I can get the real thing for such a good price. Keep in mind, tooling up a mill will probably cost you more than the mill. 
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I'm alreasy sold on the idea of not doing it. I have very little [read: no] experience with milling anything. I've seen it done a few times without really paying attention to it... I probably just mistook a milling machine for a drill press. OK, now on to the next question: What's a good small mill for finishing about twelve 80% lowers? No, I'm not starting a small army. |
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I would not go with anything lighter duty than this one: www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=33686 That price is about right. Depending on where you live, good used ones turn up for $500ish. That machine has a REAL R8 spindle and likely has much better spindle bearings than the wimpy little "hobby" grade machines. It's still a benchtop model, but it's beefy, which is important. I have a 2600lb Bridgeport clone. There's just no replacement for sheer weight. |
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