bsiler Posted September 27, 2009 Share Posted September 27, 2009 I have a fairly new drill press. I've noticed when drilling a hole that is an inch or more deep it doesn't drill straight. I'm sure it's off on short holes too, just don't notice it as much. I've checked the manual. Just wondering if anyone here has a good way they check before they drill a long hole (or any hole). Thanks Billy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thecelticforge Posted September 27, 2009 Share Posted September 27, 2009 I put a square against my bit and check it gainst the platform. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welder19 Posted September 27, 2009 Share Posted September 27, 2009 Same here put a large bit in the chuck and use square between bit and table or vise, a lot of drill press's have a swivel head so that you can drill holes on an angle, yours may need adjusted and se on zero or 90 degrees. Most dp's that have a swivel head will have degree markings so you can set exact angle you want. welder19 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkrankow Posted September 27, 2009 Share Posted September 27, 2009 I never trust the degree marks for setup, unless I'm drilling sheet metal, or I have had the time to verify function on larger/nicer presses. On my cheap import press, the markings are just a ballpark. For deep holes, over 4-5 diameters deep, the bit can force the hole crooked if the entry is not clean or the bit is not sharpened evenly. This means that using the final size bit to start instead of pilot/chasing *should* produce a straighter hole, even though this is not always the case in practice. Using a short drill bit to set up the entry can also help at times, especially if you are not entering perpendicular to the surface, or have surface texture to deal with. If your material has a bias to the grain (wood, laminates, fiberglass) everything is more difficult. I have made enough deep holes to know that they can be a pain. Someone who does this for a living can tell you how to get them correct most of the time. Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dragons lair Posted September 27, 2009 Share Posted September 27, 2009 I use a piece of 3/8 CR rod about a foot long. Easier to line up the square. Mine is a heave duty wilton its off front to back. Ken Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bsiler Posted September 27, 2009 Author Share Posted September 27, 2009 Thanks for all the replys Billy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meinhoutexas Posted September 29, 2009 Share Posted September 29, 2009 they make a "squareng" jig it kinda looks like a z but the diagonal is sq. basicly it chucks up and gives you a whitness mark 180 deg. from each other. if you have a dial indicator you can use it here and dial in the cross slope. contact me if you need to. sorry bout the spelling guys lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bsiler Posted September 29, 2009 Author Share Posted September 29, 2009 meinhoutexas, I need to get one. Thank You Billy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Einhorn Posted September 29, 2009 Share Posted September 29, 2009 With the drill presses that I have, I have noticed that the tables sag the more you put pressure on the drill bit, and I don't think that my tables hang straight even without weight on them. My guess is that I will need to win the lottery and then purchase a mill if I want to drill straight holes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dawg Posted December 3, 2009 Share Posted December 3, 2009 Ive found serveral old mills that are worn and cant mill any more can still be a good drill press. If you look around some machine shops a lot of guys just throw them in the corner or out back when replaced. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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