Drill press question

[kirkfranks]

Ok I have a question about drill press alignment.

I have the Harbor Freight 16 speed
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=38142

I go to great length to align my drilling vise to get it centered under the bit. Once I do that I am good to go as long as the drill bits are close to the same length as the next bit I need to use.
The problem is the if I need to raise or lower the table ( different bit length or even different blank length) then the table is able to swing from side to side while I have it unlocked. I am sure this is normally a good feature for a drill press. I use it too for other jobs, but just wish that it would stay in position (side to side) while I have it set up for pen drilling.

Does anyone have any good suggestions about how they handle this issue? No I am not going to buy a new set of drill bits all one length.:wink:

 

[wdcav1952]

Kirk, I feel your pain! I use this low tech solution. I bought a smooth (not all thread) rod of 3/8 iron/steel ? from Lowe's and cut it into several lengths. When re-centering my drill press table, I chuck up one of the rods and close the Paul Huffman vise on it with the drill press table very loose. When the jaws of the vise close without any visible deflection of the rod, it is close enough for me. You could also put a sleeve of metal, PVC, or whatever that closely fits over the rod in your vise and when the rod fits through the sleeve without binding during quill travel you should be well centered.

FWIW,

 

[Chasper]

Don't tighten the table down after you have it lined up, let it swing side to side. The front to back alignment will stay in place, side to side is relatively easy to eyeball in place. Once the bit touches the blank and starts the hole it doesn't matter anymore, it won't go anywhere. It works for me.