585,938 active members*
3,858 visitors online*
Register for free
Login
IndustryArena Forum > MetalWorking Machines > Uncategorised MetalWorking Machines > Can this drill press be used with a boring head?
Results 1 to 9 of 9
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Posts
    0

    Can this drill press be used with a boring head?

    Its from Harbor Freight. I know its small, but it will only be $40 in June. I'd want to use it with a 2" boring head to make some bearing holders out of aluminum.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Posts
    132
    Quote Originally Posted by Bmr4life View Post
    Its from Harbor Freight. I know its small, but it will only be $40 in June. I'd want to use it with a 2" boring head to make some bearing holders out of aluminum.
    I think its going to vibrate a lot so you wont have a nice finish.Can you use it I dont see why not .

    Good Luck

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Posts
    12177
    The spindle on a drill press is not the correct design nor is it rigid enough to use a boring head. Normally the chuck is held on by a taper and this will come loose when it is subjected to a side load. Also the bearings have too much play so the tool would deflect and not cut a true hole even if the chuck did nit come loose.
    An open mind is a virtue...so long as all the common sense has not leaked out.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Posts
    0
    Thank you. Whats the cheapest drill press that is strong enough to handle a boring head? Its its close to $400, I'd rather just buy the x2 I've been trying to avoid, lol.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Posts
    12177
    No drill press is suitable because of the chuck being held on a taper. No matter how sturdy everything else is the chuck will come off if it is subjected to a side load like happens with a single point boring tool, or a milling cutter. It may take a while to come off but it will and a chuck coming loose with a sharp tool while spinning at a thousand rpm or more is dangerous.

    Get a small mill.
    An open mind is a virtue...so long as all the common sense has not leaked out.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Posts
    0
    Thank you, that is valuable information.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Posts
    6
    also feeding by hand is not a great idea with a boring head. quill feed is really a must for safety and Finnish.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Posts
    0
    Would quill feed also help for boring a hole of a certain depth?

  9. #9
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Posts
    1185
    You need to make a pocket to hold a bearing.

    You can use a regular drill bit to get you close and then use a cheep spade bit to flatten the bottom. I cut one down so it would have less wobble. Look to see if the spade bit cuts a flat bottom.

    You can also look for a counter bore bit. They require a pilot hole be drilled and will cut a nice flat bottom hole.

    This is a 7/8 bit on ebay.

    330566114551

    Most smaller drill pressed have a MT2 tapper. You tap out the drill shank and insert the counter bore and with the correct pilot you can drill a nice flat bottom hole.

    I have a good amount of used counter bores, most will go in a drill chuck, that I dont really use anymore. If you know a exact size to bore I might have one for supper cheep. I sold my drill press out of a lack of space and just use the mills for pockets.

Similar Threads

  1. Indexable boring bar in boring head?
    By Molochnik in forum MetalWork Discussion
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 04-15-2010, 01:36 PM
  2. Boring Head
    By TravisR100 in forum Haas Mills
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 09-20-2009, 08:09 PM
  3. Replies: 47
    Last Post: 02-01-2008, 08:32 PM
  4. Drill Press or Mill/Drill?
    By cbcnc in forum Benchtop Machines
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 03-06-2005, 12:03 AM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •