Drill press problem [kinda long]

5/9/04, 2:32 AM #1

DWFII
Guest

Drill press problem [kinda long]

DWFII

>I'm fairly new to woodturning. I bought a little Grizzly 8" bench top drill press in January. It's my first drill press.

Now, I knew it wasn't the top of the line when I bought it. But I do mostly small stuff--pens, candlesticks, tool handles--and don't have room for a larger drill press.

When I first got it, I noticed that the quill had some lateral play in it. I talked to a Technician at Grizzly and he told me to send it back. They replaced the chuck but didn't fix the lateral play. I've been told that the play is normal up to a point. OK. But when I put a brad point drill bit into the new chuck and center it (from two directions) on the center mark of a pen blank and then manually turn the chuck a half turn, the point of the bit is now off center by at least a sixteenth of an inch...again in two directions. The point is making a small circle as I turn the chuck.

I can't believe this is normal Am I wrong? Any advice or help would be appreciated.

And any recommendations for a more precise drill press at or preferably under $100 would be welcome. How about the Delta?

Thanks

DWFII

Re: Drill press problem [kinda long]

5/9/04, 3:14 AM #2

Don Henthorn
Guest

Re: OT - moles.....

Don Henthorn

>Are you sure the point of the drill is ground to center? Regardless, I would tell Grizzly that you can't accept that much lateral play in a drill press quill. What are they thinking of? You get a press for accurate drilling and lateral play does not make for accuracy. If they can't get you a drill without the lateral play I would return it and try somewhere else. JMHO.

Re: Drill press problem [kinda long]

5/9/04, 3:15 AM #3

Don Henthorn
Guest

Darn heading screw up again...

Don Henthorn

>

Re: Drill press problem [kinda long]

5/12/04, 11:27 PM #4

Fog Tanner
Guest

Re: Drill press problem [kinda long]

Fog Tanner

>Sounds like you still don't have a drill press, more like a step below a hand drill, and definately soemthing I would return....

When I bought mine I would extend the quill full stroke and check for any play. If there was lateral play I kept looking. The one I finally got has ball bearings top and bottom, sounds like yours has plain bearings or only one at the bottom.

The best thing to do is check your local tool supply places such as MSC or Wholesale Tool and check the drill press in person. There low end models are coming from China, same as Grizzley and Harbor Freight, but at least you can check them out.

If you ever decide you want the ultimate drill press, you can buy an "inexpensive" table top milling machine from Wholesale Tool or even Harbor Freight. They aren't worth a flip for milling - too much play for precision metal work, but make great drill presses where you need X,Y movement and all you are worried about is 1/64s.

Good luck, I know it was frustrating for me,

Fog

Drill press problem [kinda long]

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