Milling aluminium on a drill press. Fast!

mach 3 pocket cycle and circle wizard used to make a motor/ gearbox adapter plate on a home modified drill press. Yes it vibrates! and yes the morse taper comes loose and drops the tool into the job! You learn by trial and error.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• fast
• cnc
• milling
• aluminium
• mach
• drill
• press
• mill.

[docstruthers]

any modifications to the drill press, from the chuck up?

I want to do this but plan to install extra bearings, at least one anyway JUST above the chuck below the bearing that's already there! as well as a flood lube/coolant system. I'm tired of all these people bitching about bearings and this and that. If it's a good quality drill press with HD components it will stand up to aluminum. Or just replace the damn bearings IF they even fail. I will also pin the MT probably through the tang slot. :)

[automateanything]

@docstruthers

no pther modifications apart from adding a servo to lift and lower the z height.

the press i have is also sold as a mill (with addition of a drawbar) but i couldnt add that.it does have very heavy duty side load bearings.

to be fair, its quite poor as a mill as it doesnt have enough weight so it does chatter if you try to take heavier cuts.

but it works superbly for automated drilling of holes all day!

[weskoki]

@automateanything Hi what kind of clamps do you use?Is it safe with only two?

Thanks

[automateanything]

@weskoki

for that job 2 off m10 bolts with washers supported by mdf blocks.- not technical! but was strong enough for that job.

[Ibringthetruth1]

Drill press is a worthless maching unless it's converted.

Mill and lathe are more useful.

[automateanything]

@Ibringthetruth1

good for drilling holes though!

[turboturbine666]

alu-minimum

[automateanything]

@turboturbine666

its aluminium in uk. aluminum over there!

we use queens english

[turboturbine666]

Hope you work close to your washing machine buddy