[bradtal]

Hello All-

Question for you... I was using my cnc machine to cut some parts and needed to drill some small diameter holes.

I have a Hitachi M12VC router with a 1/4 and a 1/2 inch collet.

How would one use the router to hold small drill bits? I've looked for drill bit sets that all have the same diameter shank, but haven't had much luck.

Any ideas?

Thank you-

Brad

[ger21]

How would one use the router to hold small drill bits?

You don't.

[bradtal]

You don't.

Well, that wasn't the answer I was hoping for. So all these people on this cnczone.com have or have made cnc machines that can't drill a hole? I find that odd. Why does my cam software have a "drill" function?

For example, I found something like this online:
http://tinyurl.com/8wh9lp

I wouldn't want to chuck the shaft into my router collet, but do they make something like it that you could chuck into a router collet?

Brad

[vlmarshall]

How big of a drill chuck do you want to turn? Have a taper ground on a piece of round stock to fit your router and the chuck of your choice, and hold it like a router bit.

Or, you could get one of the hand-drilling attachments, or "Micro Drill Adapters" ( http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/NNPDFF...0&PMT4TP=*LTIP ) with a micro chuck on it, and take it apart.
The inner, sliding shaft is .250" diameter, and hollow, about 2" long.

[ger21]

For one thing, it's not really safe to spin standard drill bits at 10,000 rpm plus.

One option, is to get a Porter Cable router, and buy a 1/8" collet from http://www.precisebits.com/

Then you can get small 1/8" shank drill bits that are made to spin that fast.
http://www.precisebits.com/products/...sPT=fractional

[bradtal]

For one thing, it's not really safe to spin standard drill bits at 10,000 rpm plus.

One option, is to get a Porter Cable router, and buy a 1/8" collet from http://www.precisebits.com/

Then you can get small 1/8" shank drill bits that are made to spin that fast.
http://www.precisebits.com/products/...sPT=fractional

Gerry-

Thanks. I think you answered my question. I actually have those bits already and I have a router that has a 1/8" collet. I was just hoping not to have to switch out my new router for the old one when I need to drill holes.

Thanks for the help and the links.

Brad

[ger21]

You can always buy a 1/4" to 1/8" adapter. As long as it doesn't have much runout, it should work OK

[tahustvedt]

http://www.precisebits.com/default.htm sell adapters. Click under where it says "The Bushings are Here!"

[ger21]

http://www.precisebits.com/default.htm sell adapters. Click under where it says "The Bushings are Here!"

Right below that it says "Not Sold Separately". They come pre-mounted on the bits for $3 extra. At least that's how I'm reading it.

[steve323]

I just use spiral upcut router bits. They seem to drill just fine. Downcut bits might not work so good.

Steve

[tahustvedt]

Oops, sorry about that.