CNC converted Drill Press

[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? 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.

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

[spalm]

Hello, Welcome to the Zone.

Hmmm. What kind of things do you want to be able to cut? Drill presses are not really designed for lateral or sideways pressure. The quill will not be able to take much and neither will the chuck. Search on chuck here, and you will see many posts telling you not to use one. As far as speed, it will be too slow for wood and too weak for metal IMHO.

Tell us more as to what you want to do and we might me able to help.
Steve

[compmedic]

Im just wanting to make small parts for now, mostly out of plastic and maybe sometimes out of aluminum. What about replacing or changing the chuck? This being my first cnc machine and my first attempt to build one, im mainly striving at the experience of it all and to get familiar with all the parts and wiring. After this maybe i will commit to a more serious machine.

[jimini]

[QUOTE=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? 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.

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



Do a forum search for 'cnc mill from a drill press' and you will find a thread on what you contemplate doing...Jim

[compmedic]

Thanks jim, i have done this and found one that didnt seem too bad. I also did a google search of the subject and found a couple of nice work logs. Here is one:

drill press to cnc conversion

I think the project should go over well considering.........
it might be a waste of money and a good drill press to do it this way but when you dont have any money and your as smart as a rock then it dont matter, lol.

Just want to make a few computer modding parts with it and it might be good for circuit board making.

[jimini]

Hi Compmedic here's the link I was thinking about.
The Evolution of a Home CNC Mill

[compmedic]

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

[HuFlungDung]

Wow, I never read that other thread til now. A monumental effort and well done job.

But, what exactly is left of the old drill press that one could even call it a drill press conversion? The spindle housing? The Rockwell deckel?

If your primary application is drilling hole patterns (which is a legitimate operation in some production facility), then sure, start with the drill press. Otherwise, get a mill drill and start from there, or better, an old cnc mill and "PC retrofit it"

[WhiteTiger]

Reminded me of the old autoshop joke: "Your car has some serious problems but the good news is the labor costs will be very low. All we have to do is put a jack under the radiator cap and drive a new car under it"

I think this pretty much defines the line between work and hobby LOL



Tiger

[Stevie]

Originally Posted by HuFlungDung Wow, I never read that other thread til now. A monumental effort and well done job. But, what exactly is left of the old drill press that one could even call it a drill press conversion? The spindle housing? The Rockwell deckel? If your primary application is drilling hole patterns (which is a legitimate operation in some production facility), then sure, start with the drill press. Otherwise, get a mill drill and start from there, or better, an old cnc mill and "PC retrofit it"

Thanks Hu

There is little left of the drill press; I also use it for small parts (not steel)
It's a 3000mm/min rapid feed 0.01mm repeatablity machine now; with 2 spindles one for 16,000 and the other for smaller cutters up to 35,000 rpm +

I see your also in Canada; maybe if your not too far away; you might actually see it and the new Gantry machine

Hey if a drill press to cnc is what you want to try; give it a go; I did and learned a lot from it; you don't have high expectations of the machine; so you'll have a ball making it

[MIKE JEFFERS]

i did a similar thing to the v chan tool but without the cnc part and it was good enough
to build my small router on. i still use it for jig drilling and occasional milling.
as stevie say's build one you'll get a lot of satisfaction from it (should be part of a diy/cnc course -step one) and it wont cost much.
mike

[BobWarfield]

Hi Compmedic. I've wanted to CNC my drill press, but not to use as a mill. I'd just like to use it when I have to drill lots of holes so my mill can continue milling. I'll probably get to do that conversion someday soon. Meanwhile, those other guys are bang on. Converting a drill press will involve jacking it up and driving a mill underneath. It only looks sorta like a mill, it isn't really one.

Why not look at building a router table? I would think a small one could be done fairly cheaply with some eBay scrounging. It will cut a little aluminum and a lot of plastic. It will be a good learning experience and you won't have to do any "hard" machining to build it probably. Stevie and the College Prof did those conversions with benefit of outside machine tools and a lot of knowledge. As the other old joke goes, "Don't try this at home, they are professionals."

Alternatively, you could buy a used mill drill, or a small Taig or some such off eBay if you shop carefully. It's also pretty cheap to CNC a small lathe and it would give you some great experience.

Best,

BW