Drill press questions

[DShortt]

Some of the assumptions on this forum are just simply untrue.

So now tell me what's not possible.

Just because you can't doesn't mean no one can.

 

[jds holler]

Anybody who couldn't drill a few in line holes with a drill press, would probably make hash out of the job with a mill as well.

Almost everything that gets done in custom gun work these days used to get done with incredibly crude methods by todays standards. -- as demonstrated by DShortt's superb hand file skills above. jd

 

[DShortt]

Anybody who couldn't drill a few in line holes with a drill press, would probably make hash out of the job with a mill as well.

Almost everything that gets done in custom gun work these days used to get done with incredibly crude methods by todays standards. -- as demonstrated by DShortt's superb hand file skills above. jd

Thank you for the kind words. My post will probably agitate some. But a few will be inspired. That was my intention.

I just want to inspire someone.

 

[jds holler]

Thank you for the kind words. My post will probably agitate some. But a few will be inspired. That was my intention.

I just want to inspire someone.

As a guy who just bought a 54 caliber octagon barrel which needs to be reduced by .070" (flat to flat), I am inspired. Perhaps I could have your address and an estimate of when you will be done with it??

I am not a machinist, but I did go to college to be one. In my first machining class, (believe it was called Machine Processes), we didn't start out on a lathe, or a vertical or horizontal mill, -- we started out with a hack-saw, a couple of hand files, and a drill press and bench grinder. We were given a piece of steel measuring 1/2" thick, and 6x6 inches square. Project to complete was a steering wheel/harmonic balance puller. -- Y'all know what they look like.

Grade was dependent upon finished dimensions matching those on the plan in thousandths of an inch. I believe we all thought it was about the stupidest waste of our tuition -- but it did teach us what can be done with the old ways. It also weeded out a few guys who probably would never have the patience to complete anything with any method. jd

 

[DShortt]

As a guy who just bought a 54 caliber octagon barrel which needs to be reduced by .070" (flat to flat), I am inspired. Perhaps I could have your address and an estimate of when you will be done with it??

I am not a machinist, but I did go to college to be one. In my first machining class, (believe it was called Machine Processes), we didn't start out on a lathe, or a vertical or horizontal mill, -- we started out with a hack-saw, a couple of hand files, and a drill press and bench grinder. We were given a piece of steel measuring 1/2" thick, and 6x6 inches square. Project to complete was a steering wheel/harmonic balance puller. -- Y'all know what they look like.

Grade was dependent upon finished dimensions matching those on the plan in thousandths of an inch. I believe we all thought it was about the stupidest waste of our tuition -- but it did teach us what can be done with the old ways. It also weeded out a few guys who probably would never have the patience to complete anything with any method. jd

Well I can do that if you are serious and you're in no hurry.

I've been posting today while replacing the water pump and thermostat on a 2011 Chevy. Between the wife and I and our 4 kids I have 7 vehicles to keep up with. Wish the local shops could fix it right the first time and have it done when promised. Unfortunately they strike out every time and they aren't bashful about charging a lot to muck about. So I do it.

PM me if you need a hand.

I'm no machinist either but I get along well enough to suit myself.

 

[scasa]

So I can put an octagon on a taper from a piece of round stock with a flat file to within .003" along a 6" length. I know so because I did it 20 years ago. Guy who gave me the challenge thought he'd given me an impossible task.

Huh.View attachment 1509993

That is some serious skill there , You couldn't do that with any of my files that's for sure.

 

[mike mccormick]

So I can put an octagon on a taper from a piece of round stock with a flat file to within .003" along a 6" length. I know so because I did it 20 years ago. Guy who gave me the challenge thought he'd given me an impossible task.

Huh.View attachment 1509993

That is the height of patience! Well done

 

[mike mccormick]

Anybody who couldn't drill a few in line holes with a drill press, would probably make hash out of the job with a mill as well.

Almost everything that gets done in custom gun work these days used to get done with incredibly crude methods by todays standards. -- as demonstrated by DShortt's superb hand file skills above. jd

True.......and about 75% of the scope mounts were crooked too. Not saying it cannot be done, for sure. Just saying that a drill press out in your car port with no fixturing or experience, isn't the way to go.

 

[ebb]

No the drill is just for making the hole, the time and accuracy of finding the center of the receiver and laying out the holes so they are the same as the scope mount and on the centerline of the receiver have nothing to do with the drill press. Yes a crap drill press and no way to hold your work could screw it up also. But 3 or 4 holes in a straight line in the dead center of the receiver has to do with measuring and scribing and center punching a spot to start from.

 

[jds holler]

No the drill is just for making the hole, the time and accuracy of finding the center of the receiver and laying out the holes so they are the same as the scope mount and on the centerline of the receiver have nothing to do with the drill press. Yes a crap drill press and no way to hold your work could screw it up also. But 3 or 4 holes in a straight line in the dead center of the receiver has to do with measuring and scribing and center punching a spot to start from.

Bingo! And to the above recipe I'd also add a center-drill bit to start those holes with. Preferably a new one. A lot of careful lay-out work can be ruined with a crappy old bit. jd

 

[DShortt]

Bingo! And to the above recipe I'd also add a center-drill bit to start those holes with. Preferably a new one. A lot of careful lay-out work can be ruined with a crappy old bit. jd

An excellent point. What you start the drilling process with matters. Also matters how sharp or dull the drill and tap are. A lot.

Not to mention knowing the difference between a taper, plug and bottom tap.

Lots of ways to screw a job up. Just a few to get it right.

 

[Old Navy]

Fixturing is always a biggie on a drill press. If you look, you can see the scar that runs on the side of my thumb from the base of the nail almost the full length of the thumb. A loose quill and sketchy fixturing ended up with my thumb tangling with a sharp 1/2" drill bit. It dinged up the extensor longus but it healed on it own with just some residual numbness from some nerve damage.

Final score: Drill bit 1. Dumbass 0.

I was leaving for a race the next day. Working the shifter all weekend was a constant reminder of my dumbassitude.

dumbassitude I didn't even have to look that up. I have called myself that many times.

 

[jds holler]

An excellent point. What you start the drilling process with matters. Also matters how sharp or dull the drill and tap are. A lot.

Not to mention knowing the difference between a taper, plug and bottom tap.

Lots of ways to screw a job up. Just a few to get it right.

I'm part of a mentorship group at our church where we've set up a couple of lathes to turn custom pens and pencils. We make our blanks of various exotic woods, and acrylics and antler of generally 5/8 x 5/8 x 2 or 3" long. I could set up and drill in the lathes, but it's quicker and easier to do with the drill press -- if the drill press is worth a darn.
We've got a couple of centering vices that are good for clamping a square or circular blank on true vertical, but if the drill is out even a degree or two, our exit is out of limits for our use.





As for the bit, a dull or poorly sharpened one will wander at will, and follow variances in the grain of the wood. Any run-out in the quill shaft and bearings will also put the kibosh on a good job. jd

 

[DShortt]

I'm part of a mentorship group at our church where we've set up a couple of lathes to turn custom pens and pencils. We make our blanks of various exotic woods, and acrylics and antler of generally 5/8 x 5/8 x 2 or 3" long. I could set up and drill in the lathes, but it's quicker and easier to do with the drill press -- if the drill press is worth a darn.
We've got a couple of centering vices that are good for clamping a square or circular blank on true vertical, but if the drill is out even a degree or two, our exit is out of limits for our use.
View attachment 1511097

!


As for the bit, a dull or poorly sharpened one will wander at will, and follow variances in the grain of the wood. Any run-out in the quill shaft and bearings will also put the kibosh on a good job. jd

Nice work! I learned the basics in Metals and Woodworking in high school. Apparently those classes aren't even offered now days in many locations.

That's gonna bite the whole country in the butt eventually, but 'Some people you just can't reach.'

Bonus points if you recognize the origin of that quote.

 

[DShortt]

Given the smoke and sound it sets my teeth on edge. Appears that the chuck speed is absurdly fast also.

Sheesh. I'm good.

 

[jds holler]

I've gotta admit, I'm interested.
I'm drawing a blank on your quote, although I've heard basically the same from a lot of folks who are paying attention.

"That's gonna bite the whole country in the butt eventually, but 'Some people you just can't reach."

Our mentor group is all about taking boys and teaching them to be men. -- Men who can and will do guy stuff. Can shake your hand and look ya in the eye. Respect a woman, and love the Lord.

Our little pen factory is kind of the starter project to get them started and make a little money. Then we'll move on to other projects as we progress. We've been donated a '76' Camero that's been stored in a barn for about 40 years.

We're small now, with about 6 young men, but we'll grow. jd

 

[DShortt]

I've gotta admit, I'm interested.
I'm drawing a blank on your quote, although I've heard basically the same from a lot of folks who are paying attention.

"That's gonna bite the whole country in the butt eventually, but 'Some people you just can't reach."

Our mentor group is all about taking boys and teaching them to be men. -- Men who can and will do guy stuff. Can shake your hand and look ya in the eye. Respect a woman, and love the Lord.

Our little pen factory is kind of the starter project to get them started and make a little money. Then we'll move on to other projects as we progress. We've been donated a '76' Camero that's been stored in a barn for about 40 years.

We're small now, with about 6 young men, but we'll grow. jd

Cool Hand Luke.

Strother Martin. The 'Captain' or prison warden.

 

[dave@aDave]

Precision Matthews:
https://www.precisionmatthews.com/