Drill Press Machining Hacking/Tips and Tricks: The Basics

10 Bake-sale Basic Machining hacks/Tips and Tricks for your Drill Press.
I cover some of the basics to use your drill press to do some basic machining.

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1/32-5/8" Keyless chuck is from CME-tools in Michigan

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[genegoodwin]

I use to be a machinist in a track shop (railroad track) where I operated many machines. A large Cincinnati milling machine was just one I operated. I often thought about purchasing a milling machine. I had a friend who had a Bridgeport mill for sale once, but I didn't buy it. Then I thought about the mini mills that are for sale today, but once again I didn't buy one.
Your idea about using a cross slide vise on a drill press is a very economical way to do some light milling which is probably enough for most people in their home workshop. Who knows, I might have to go out and buy a nice drill press and a cross slide vise even in my advanced years.
For most of my life I have been making something, at the track shop I cut steel harden steel castings, even stainless. At home I had a wood working shop, and I've done auto body work for years. I say all this to give a warning. The heavy metal dust, sawdust, and even auto body filler dust have ruin my lungs, I now have pulmonary fibrosis. So the warning is ALWAYS WEAR A DUST MASK. It will save your life.
Thanks for the video, I'm sure it will help many to get into some light milling.

[obxburg]

One stop shop channel of brilliance.
Thanks for being out there brother.
Everything that I’ve been thinking/imagining all of the possibilities that I can do with my newly acquired perfectly patinated 8” 1991 Craftsman Drill Press.
Having a Father-in-law that’s been a machinist for over 60 years as my walking, talking encyclopedia as backup has given me a new found love for reshaping material.
God Bless n
God Bless 🇺🇸

[CalmBeforeTheStorm]

Thanks for rocking the old school Robert Miles. Brings me back to a warehouse party somwhere in 1998...

[scoutdogfsr]

Cut off carbide saw tooth bits are one of my cheap tricks. Mounted in the cross slide the results are surprisingly good. Plus you get 40 to 60 bits per used 10" saw blade

[tetsubo]

I just bought a vintage cross slide vise at a yard sale for $20. I'm going to need to clean it but it was an awesome deal. I currently have a bench top drill press but I'm ordering a full-sized 20" drill press later this month. I'm looking at a Jet 1.5 HP model. These tips were quite helpful. I like the replacement chuck.

[jimyoungblood]

Did you read my mind??? I was just thinking about getting a milling ttable and using my drill press. Thanks for the tips on how to get that going.

[robertkupper]

Thanks for sharing these excellent tips, very useful information, keep up the good work.

[germcrazyshokoff]

Why have I been fighting with three drill press handles for so long??! I wish I could give this video 10 thumbs up! That dust collection bit was life-changing.

[Matt-wblm]

As a 40 year journeyman tool & die maker I too have used this method at home. People need to be aware that a drill press chuck is only press fit into the spindle, and therefore, the side pressure of milling can and will eventually make your chuck fall out, or be corkscrewed into your workpiece. Be safe.

[genecotton]

Useful. Glad you kept the background "music" low. As a musician I hate how so many instructional videos have audio crap in the background.

[richardrea]

Thank you for a very helpful video. To keep a chuck key in one place use and old hard drive magnet mounted either on or close to the machine.

[danbenson]

I tried this years ago but soon found the job too heavy for such a set up. Drill press use ball bearings set up for thrust loaded, milling machines use tapered roller bearings (Timken) and can take side loads. The channels ideas are OK for very light mill jobs.
BTW, a keyless chuck is a great investment for a drill press.

[jayjackson]

great vid. I'm a retired machinist and have a story you might like. I took one of these vices once out to a customer who had a rotating shaft that needed to machine a little off the end to adapt a new piece on the end. so i made a little platform that clamped to the machine and had him crank it up and I was able to do the job without them having to remove the shaft. it would have been a massive job to take the part out and would have cost them many thousands to do it that way. all I got was a pat on the back and the feeling of accomplishment. no free dinner or nuthin! typical

[sethgaston]

Thanks Eric. I'm a 17 year old building my workshop at the moment and I appreciate all the useful tips.

[acvk]

Almost two years since you posted this - and this still a stand out fantastic video!
I am shocked that there have not been a ton of content inspired by this!
Fantastic channel - thanks for the great content.

[Tadesan]

As a machinist, I take big advantage of the compliance of certain tools. There is no such thing as a bad tool depending upon what you are doing!

[altonrebeiro]

Very beautiful video, detailing is awesome, and your voice is really like teacher... Great. 👏 👏 👏

[VanXHydrA]

Rock on indeed sir. Love that you say that to!

[andrewwhitcombe]

Thanks for the video. Just bought myself a drill press and needed a vice. I'll pay a little more and get a cross slide vice.

[coffeecupblue]

Thanks! The cup/straw vacuum attachment was particularly sweet.