Drilling depth and Pen kits

[LouisQC]

I'm planning on upgrading my drill press soon, but then it becomes a question of quill travel.

So, what's the longest drill depth required by a pen kit? Is 3 inches of travel enough for a one step drilling for most kits?

 

[holmqer]

There is a somewhat related discussion going on at the moment

http://www.penturners.org/forum/showthread.php?t=36201

Most of the posters, myself included, prefer a DP with a long stroke.

I find that it helps reduce setup time if you have a self centering vise and leave it setup until you need to do a non-pen related task.

 

[TellicoTurning]

I'm starting to do most of my drilling on the lathe, but if I were buying a new drill press, I would opt for the longest quill travel I could get for the money I would be spending. I use a HF table model that I've had for years and it's still serviceable, just has a short quill travel that makes for some creative drilling techniques on longer pen kits.

 

[thewishman]

Just read about a Steel City with 6" quill travel. That should cover about ANY pen.

 

[Randy_]

The 1/2" bit in my twist drill bit set only extends out from the chuck by a hair under 4" and there are only one or two kits that currently require holes of more than 4".

Unless you are going to be doing a lot of drilling with specialty long bits, spade bits or Forstner bits, a 4" throw will probably be a reasonable choice. For longer holes, you can always drill on your lathe.

If money is not an issue, then certainly go for the longest throw that you are willing to pay for.

 

[LouisQC]

and there are only one or two kits that currently require holes of more than 4"

Thanks Randy, that's exactly the info I needed.

 

[Snorton20]

I don't know if i should start a new thread for this one, so I apologize in advance if I am messing up your post. What are the advantages of drilling on a lathe vs. a drill press? and visa versa.