I am on the fence about purchasing a Drill Press and stopping drilling blanks on my lathe.
I have been drilling blanks on the lathe for months with "almost" no issues. I have a turncrafter lathe from PSI. At the beginning I was locking it down and advancing it with the crank. There is some play in the tailstock if it is not locked down. Within a month I burned through the back of the tailstock and they sent me a replacement under warranty ($15.00 to ship the old one back to them.) If I don't lock the tailstock down, there is too much play to get consistent results, especially with a 7mm bit.
So I am on the fence on switching to a drill press and getting a jig for my blanks.
The drill press and jig I was thinking of getting are linked below.
Any suggestions? I am sick of ruining blanks on this lathe. The wobble is terrible. The lathe turns round blanks otherwise.
PORTER-CABLE 8-Amp 12-Speed Drill Press
Shop PORTER-CABLE 8-Amp 12-Speed Drill Press at Lowes.com
WoodRiver Deluxe Self Centering Pen and Bottle Stopper Drilling Vise
Buy WoodRiver Deluxe Self Centering Pen and Bottle Stopper Drilling Vise at Woodcraft
I have been drilling blanks on the lathe for months with "almost" no issues. I have a turncrafter lathe from PSI. At the beginning I was locking it down and advancing it with the crank. There is some play in the tailstock if it is not locked down. Within a month I burned through the back of the tailstock and they sent me a replacement under warranty ($15.00 to ship the old one back to them.) If I don't lock the tailstock down, there is too much play to get consistent results, especially with a 7mm bit.
So I am on the fence on switching to a drill press and getting a jig for my blanks.
The drill press and jig I was thinking of getting are linked below.
Any suggestions? I am sick of ruining blanks on this lathe. The wobble is terrible. The lathe turns round blanks otherwise.
PORTER-CABLE 8-Amp 12-Speed Drill Press
Shop PORTER-CABLE 8-Amp 12-Speed Drill Press at Lowes.com
WoodRiver Deluxe Self Centering Pen and Bottle Stopper Drilling Vise
Buy WoodRiver Deluxe Self Centering Pen and Bottle Stopper Drilling Vise at Woodcraft