some folks here definitely come up with some creative stuff ....

I cobbled together a 36x36 belt driven x-y table - originaly to use for a laser cutter/engraver. Table works but we found an industrial laser cutter on ebay for less than the laser and optics were going to cost. I'd now like to use the table for drilling (I'm in wordworking so my idea of precision is sloppy to some of you guys). The ganrty was never designed for much weight (was to move optics only for a stationary laser) so I can't mount a router to it. I was thinking about a pnumatic grinder to spin the drill bit ($20 at HD and designed where it would screw right into a tapped 1.125 hole). I have some Bimba Air Cylinders that could lower the spindle (retract by spring???) - going down this road, the only thing left to overcome is the high speed of the grinder (20k+ rpms). I'm only drilling 3/8 holes in 3/4 ply. I don't know squat about air tools but it should not be too tough to slow this down (with a mod, not gearing).

Any thoughts on this? anyone have any better ideas for a lightweight z axis and spindle for light drilling?

Thanks in advance,

Joe

How about one of those flex-shaft engravers?
You could hang the engraver motor centered over the table and mount the flex head to your gantry.
It shouldn't be a problem to have variable speed.
I don't know if the chuck would be large enough to hold a 3/8 bit.
An idea though ....
To me, a pneumatic head would be noisy

Noisy and NO torque at all, especially when slowed, which would have to be done with a flow control in the line to the grinder. Also be prepared for a 3 HP compressor for every horsepower you think you might need for drilling...not too efficient.

I would go with a Fordom tool and flex shaft, as suggested above.

Eric

How about mounting a basic 3/8 or 1/2" electric drill for your spindle and power source. Your basic 3/8 DeWalt electric drill does not weigh much or cost near as much as the Foredom tool. It can also handle a larger drill bit.

If you want to go hi tech look out on ebay for a Desouter drilling head. These have all the feed and return features built in. They are a fantastic unit.


ARB

I wonder if something like this would work??

1) 10,000 RPM Miniature 36mm ULTRASPINDLE NEW Brushless Motor
Diameter = 24.6mm, Height = 36mm,
Rugged, shock resistant,
Three Phase, 0.6 ohms/phase motor. High torque from rare earth magnets,
Highest quality ball bearings, Designed for 300,000 hour MTBF.
APPLICATIONS: Diamond Turning, Optical scanners, Gyroscopes, Stabilizers $49/ea
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2) 10,000 RPM Miniature 20mm ULTRASPINDLE NEW Brushless Motor
Diameter = 24.6mm, Height = 20mm,
Rugged, shock resistant,
Three Phase, 0.6 ohms/phase motor. High torque from rare earth magnets,
Highest quality ball bearings, Designed for 300,000 hour MTBF.
APPLICATIONS: Diamond Turning, Optical scanners, Gyroscopes, Stabilizers $39/ea

www.lasermotion.com/servo.html

turmite