Oh Boy... I have a problem

[Dana Fish]

I my wife just returned with my "new" drill press (new to me). I picked it up off from Craigslist for $75.00 its a Craftsman is great shape, but my problem is the drill press is only a 9 inch press with a 2 inch drop.

I guess my excitement and lack of expereince had gotten me into trouble. So am I out of luck or am I just going to have to be creative with it in order to make it worth my wild to hang on to.

Thoughts??

 

[witz1976]

I own a table top press as well. It works for what it is. You will find you will have to constantly adjust to drill completely, which is not a huge deal but is a pain sometimes.

 

[LEAP]

Dana do you have a drilling jig? If not I have a spare one that we can horse trade. When I started out with a bench top drill press I would drill to the capacity of the press then lift the blank in the drill jig and drill the rest of the way through. I'll send you a PM with my phone # give me a call its easier to explain then to type.

 

[markgum]

I own a table top press as well. It works for what it is. You will find you will have to constantly adjust to drill completely, which is not a huge deal but is a pain sometimes.

this is what I do also. Yeah, a Pain, but it fit the budget.

 

[Russianwolf]

I've found very few, even in floor model, drill presses with a quill travel long enough to drill most pen blanks.

Then you have the Long Click tubes..... forget about drilling it in one shoot. :tongue:

 

[BobBurt]

You can never have enough tools, go buy another drill press. you'll find use for that 2nd and 3rd one, I did

 

[ed4copies]

I have a piece of poplar-6x6x2 (actually 1.75)

Once you drill the 2", then put the blank on the drillbit and put the block under it. Continue to drill, removing the blank and the "riser" occasionally to clear the flutes.

 

[RichB]

I have started drilling more on the lathe. Travel isn't a problem.

 

[Dana Fish]

Dana do you have a drilling jig? If not I have a spare one that we can horse trade. When I started out with a bench top drill press I would drill to the capacity of the press then lift the blank in the drill jig and drill the rest of the way through. I'll send you a PM with my phone # give me a call its easier to explain then to type.

No drilling rig yet... but I'm interested in a trade.

 

[Fred]

I have started drilling more on the lathe. Travel isn't a problem.

And there you go ... no problem at all.

 

[Dana Fish]

I own a table top press as well. It works for what it is. You will find you will have to constantly adjust to drill completely, which is not a huge deal but is a pain sometimes.

I did a quick test run on it this morning and was able to drill completely through but had to make several adjustments. At least I'm hitting the center straight through.

Thanks for the tips