DRILL PRESSES

WHAT DETERMINES THE DESCRIPTION OF A DRILL PRESS

There are two descriptions used for drill presses:

1. The inch measurement which indicates the distance between the center of the chuck and the face of the column of the unit times 2, informs the user of the size workpiece that can be drilled. The TRADESMAN Model #8050S is an 8" unit. This means the distance between the chuck center and the column is 4". Therefore, drilling can be done to the center of an 8" workpiece. The TRADESMAN Model #8100S 14" floor unit measures 7", allowing drilling to be done to the center of a 14" workpiece, etc.

2. The second element in a Drill Presses description is the number of speeds. Most bench units are five speeds, with larger bench and floor units having anywhere from five to sixteen speeds.

BASIC FUNCTIONS

The obvious function of a drill press is the drilling into wood and various other materials. Because of the ease of speed changes and the range of speeds, additional tasks can be performed. A lower speed allows for drilling into metals, plastics, aluminum, etc. Higher speeds permit sanding drums to be used.

Because of the necessity for accuracy, drilling holes far dowels is a function not easily done with a hand held drill. Angle direction and depth of the hole can be quickly checked and controlled with a drill press throughout the entire drilling operation.

DRILLING

Be sure that the drill runs true. Scored or marred drill shanks will not cut a true hole. When drilling hard material with a large drill, use a lower speed. Small drills should be run at higher speeds and should be fed into the work with care. It is very desirable to have two sets of drill bits - one set for drilling steel and other hard materials and one set for drilling brass, aluminum, wood and other soft materials. (NOTE: All protects should be clamped or put in an anchored vise for operator safety. ALWAYS WEAR EYE PROTECTION)

CUTTING FLUIDS

Cutting fluids in machining operations are used when drilling metal as:

A) A coolant - in production work, cooling both the tool and the work is usually the important factor to consider.

B) A lubricant - 1. Cutting fluids are used to lubricate the contact surfaces between the cutting tool and the work, which reduces heat caused by friction and lessens tool wear. 2. To lubricate the chips and the top surface of the tool as the chips are removed from the work. 3. To prevent the chips from sticking.

C) An agent to produce a desired finish - cutting fluids, if properly selected, will improve the finish of the machined surface.

CHUCK SIZES AND MOTORS

Most bench or floor Model drill presses use a 1/2" or 5/8" chuck size rather then a 1/4" or 5/'8" found on hand held units. This larger size allows the use of larger diameter bits or accessories. Most Forstner or wood boring bits have 3/8" or 1/2" shanks.

The drill press motors, similar to the Scroll Saw, have lower horsepower ratings than Table Saws. Motors of 1/4 H.P. are normally found on bench units utilizing 1/2" chucks and 1/2 to 3/4 H.P. on floor units utilizing 5/8" chucks. The R.P.M. is about 1725 with a V-belt/pulley system used to increase or decrease the spindle speed.

ACCESSORIES

While the Drill Presses major function is for drilling in a variety of materials, there are accessories available for other options.

The most popular accessory is a Drill Press Vise. These come in a variety of sizes and types. The flat type vise is used most commonly. Other vises are for angle drilling and vises that offer cross-feeds for close accuracy, where a series of holes is drilled. All vises have holes or slots for anchoring to the Drill Press table/base. There are also special table clamps that are available in different sizes.

Another accessory for the Drill Press is a mortising attachment (#9443). This attachment allows your Drill Press to drill square holes. Mortise and tenon joints are used in chairs, tables, cabinets, etc. TRADESMAN offers three different size Mortise chisel and bit sets; #9435-1/4", #9436-3/8" and #9437- 1/2" sets.

The Drill Press can also be used with a 1" or 3" replaceable sleeve sanding drum. This operation is particularly good for sanding material of irregular shapes. The drill press can also be used for routing, polishing and planing.

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