CNC converted Drill Press

[compmedic]

Thanks for all the replys fellow enthusiats. I think for a smart lad like myself but first in the cnc then this is a good way to learn some of the process. Build it as a 2 axis table mostly for drilling pcb's. Then i can build a second with the new Ryobi router i got for $2. Yes i said $2! I also got a new 4" 2 way movement vise holder for free but its too big for my press table. Anybody interested in any of these kinda parts or computer parts and laptops and would want to trade for some servo motors and other parts then let me know.

[compmedic]

Also i forgot to ask, can anybody tell me the rpm's to use for different kinds of material?

[wizard]

Originally Posted by compmedic I am going to try to build my first cnc machine. The idea i had and that im going to work with is to take a drill press and convert it. Has anyone tried this or have done it and would like to comment?

I haven't tried yet but I have the perfect canidate drill press ready to go. It has a sever runout issue with the spindle. I was going to fix that but purchased another drill press instead.

As far as the tables go and the xyz axis, its all pretty much setup except the servo's need to be mounted and the wiring and boards done.

Well that is a lot farther than I'm at the moment as frankly this idea is back burner. Do post some pictures for us please.

" Im not the sharpest tool in the shed but im not the rubber mallet either!"

By the way It was my intention to build a new spindle with an ER taper and direct drive it with a spindle motor. The problem is that quil assemblies in most drill presses are not exactly the most rigid of fit ups. I'm not sure how it will work out.

The other option is to turn the drill press into a super hand taping station. I would still fab a spindle but it certainly would be less work than that offered up by trying to get decent CNC performance out of it.

Dave

[Stevie]

Originally Posted by compmedic Yeah i seen that. Although his machine looks good and he seems talented, it all looked a little confusing.

Well if it looks good; but you find it confusing; then the statement "he seems talented" really seems out of place
I'll be watching your build closely; to see if you are in a position to know if I'm talented or not

[ZipSnipe]

Hey Compmedic, I,m in the same boat as you. I too am planning to convert a drill press to a milling machine and add cnc later. What I caught on another forum was that drill press spindles are not good for milling due to as you lower the spindle the shaft looses its ridgedness. So I thought why not leave the spindle where its at(not lowered) and just have the table be the z axis(raise up and down). Just thought I,d share my idea with ya..

[compmedic]

What the hell is a quill?


Zip..... that is the same idea i had, just have the table move and not the spindle. Thats why im going to start with just 2 axis then add the z axis later.

Stevie.....im not very smart but by the looks of your handiwork then your alot smarter then me.

[ZipSnipe]

Well idon,t know if I,m a step ahead of ya but I just ordered this compound table
http://www.grizzly.com/products/G8750
G8750 6" x 18-1/2" Compound Slide Table

I like it because it looks like a real milling table and I like the handles and only $119.00. Yeah I too will be adding the z axis later and my only concern about moving the table as the z axis is if that can be programmed into a cnc controller(I,m sure it can). I,ll bring my camera to the shop and take some pics with it mounted to my cheap $44 drill press from Big Lots. I seen the same drill press sell on some web site some where for $189.00.

[compmedic]

ZIP.........It already sounds like your a step ahead of me.
I have not got any mill table yet accept for a 4" mill vise.
I would love to see a pic of the Drill Press you got from Big Lots if you get a chance. All i have is a 1/2HP 5 speed press to start. I will post pics of my stuff as soon as i get a chance.

[ZipSnipe]

Here,s a pic of mine.http://www.toolprice.com/product/9102L
Proline - 5 Speed Bench Top Drill Press

I think the manufacturer must sell to different companies and they put thier own name on it as mine is called ShopSource.The only difference between mine and this one is mine is orange in color. How ever after doing some measurements, I realize that I,ll have to get another drill press to convert to a mill as this one is just to short. There,s no room to create the z axis table like I want. So now I,m lookin at a Ryobi at Home depot $99.00, I like the Ryobi becuz it has a table that round and rotates, basically giving you a cheap rotary table.

[Patrick_M]

Whatever happened with these conversions you guys were going to do?
Anything ever come of this?

Patrick

[JMcDonald]

I built a manual mill out of a drill press. I spent about 200-250 bucks on it total (not including things I messed up or wasted), all with parts from hardware stores, and a 40 dollar drill press from Harbor Freight. I simply added a sliding table to the base of the drill press. It wouldnt deflect noticably when doing steel, but I am sure it would do plastics or even aluminums pretty well. It had a capacity of 4"X (throat depth to column) and about 24"Y.

It would take a bit of effort to keep deflection down enough to CNC (unless you were doing plastics). Plus, since you have to move the head alot, it would be a huge pain to have to realign the head everytime you had to lift it to change tools.

If I were to do it all over again I would just bought an X1 from Harbor Freight for about $300, or save a bit more for an X2.

I just started on another mill, a gantry-style one. My running total on it is about $1100 last I checked, but I am expecting up to $1400. Its milling capacity is 12" x 24".

I am also about to build my own drill press. Basically the column and head of a mill, but without the table.

[compmedic]

Inever got around to building the drill press cuz other things came up but i think now after having more experience that it might just be best for drilling alot of holes. Which would also come in handy.