Drilling questions with my PHdesigns vise

[opfoto]

Everyone....

I recently got my PHdesigns vise from Paul (THANK YOU PAUL !!!</u>) and I am finally getting around to setting it up. I have come up with a couple of problems that I can't seem to resolve myself so I look to you all (again) for insight.

1st the easy question:

What speed is a good starting point for my drill press for drilling thru wood blanks? I was using 950ish rpms if I read the belt speed chart correctly. I was checking the vise centering on a piece of bloodwood and I got some squealing. I made sure I cleared the bit a few times as I was going....did not burn. But the squeal is as bad as nails on the chalk board sound. So it makes me think I was/am going to fast.


The 2nd question I have is:

I mounted the vise to a piece of wood that I mounted to my DP table.
I first put in a small bit (1/16th) into the chuck then lined up the center point of the blank to the bit and drilled thru the blank. It looked slightly off center. But it was off center evenly thru the length of the blank. I then moved the vise in an attempt to center it better and drilled another blank. The result was the same off center. Is it possible that if the blank is not square to start with then my drilling blanks will always be off center? How do I proceed from here? I would like to be more accurate with drilling my blanks.

I understand that this is operator error. Please advise.
Sorry this is so long.
Thanks in advance.

 

[mwenman]

For #1, I typically drill my blanks at 500 rpm.

For #2, Not necessarily that the blanks are not square to the table because first of all, they are in one of Paul's vices , but I think that you will find that either the board you have mounted the vice to is not true or more than likely the DP table is not at 90 deg to the quill/bit.

It could also be possible that you are putting too much pressure on the bit when drilling causing it drift a tad or flexing the table underneath.

 

[rherrell]

What Mike said.

 

[Paul in OKC]

Ifthe hole is off center, but the same all the way thru, I'd say the table is pretty square. If you line the vise up by lightly clamping on a larger bit, or a wood dowel long enough to reach thru the vise without lowering the quill, then lock the vise down to the table, it will be better centered to the bit.

 

[opfoto]

ok....

1st I'll slow the DP down to 500 rpms then I'll put a larger drill bit into the chuck and do as Paul suggested. I'll report back with the results...after my head is better from banging it against the wall!

Thanks....I love this forum!