Bench drill needed

[tekkydave]

I started drilling holes in the 10mm thick black steel plates I got for my DIY pier today - see http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/220310-tekkydave-low-cost-obsy-build/. Sadly my 800W Bosch hand drill started struggling after a while and was getting rather hot. Not wanting to destroy it as it is a very good drill and has given great service for about 10 years now I stopped as it was starting to smell a bit. You know - that 'hot plastic / insulation' sort of smell.

I decided to start looking for a bench drill and was surprised how cheap some of them are. I wasn't expecting to see any sub £100 but there are quite a few. Now these will certainly not handle drilling 14mm holes through 10mm steel plate so the question is how much do I need to spend to get a drill that will. I am happy to pay up to around £400 if needed or am I expecting too much? Would I be better off getting the plates made up professionally?

Those of you who are into your metalwork (I know there are some of you out there) - could you recommend a bench drill and any specific brands to go for or avoid.

I'll be grateful for any help.

Thanks.

[Scott]

Dave, if you don't think you'll get a fair bit of use out of a drill press, just get the plates drilled. most engineering shops would charge you a couple of pints to do it

[tekkydave]

Dave, if you don't think you'll get a fair bit of use out of a drill press, just get the plates drilled. most engineering shops would charge you a couple of pints to do it

I'll probably use it quite often - I'm always drilling stuff and tend to use an 18V hand drill which doesn't always give the tidiest results.

Just looking at this one on Amazon

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Draper-42638-230-Volt-550-Watt-16-Speed/dp/B00142GPAW/ref=sr_1_1?s=diy&ie=UTF8&qid=undefined&sr=1-1&keywords=bench+drill

any comments?

[pete_l]

I think a big part of the equation is the sharpness and suitability of the drill bits for working on your particular steel. Also the application of lubricant while drilling (one benefit of a pillar drill, you have a free hand for this)

[Scott]

Fair enough then . can't really help with brands etc, but make sure you factor in the extras such as vice, good eye/hand protection if you don't already have it. quality bits. Like astronomy, you can quickly double your spend . Very handy bit of kit to have though. good luck with it

[wuthton]

http://www.axminster.co.uk/ are usually worth a look for workshop tools. You are welcome to use my drill press at Cleckheaton in the mean time.

[tekkydave]

I think a big part of the equation is the sharpness and suitability of the drill bits for working on your particular steel. Also the application of lubricant while drilling (one benefit of a pillar drill, you have a free hand for this)

Good point. The new 14mm drill bit I started out with today is already blunt now. I guess as in all things - you get what you pay for.

[Tinker1947]

If you go for a Driill Press look for a 5 speed, just has 2 pulley wheel on the top more speeds equals a centre pulley wheel bit of a pain when the lower belt needs to go on top, you also need a 16mm chuck with a MT2 taper, a good hand vice, Machine Mart do a large range,i don't know if  there "Clarke" brand are any good, expect to pay a bit over £200......

[DIYASTRO]

Have a look at Warco machine tools.

Their prices include VAT and UK delivery to your door, looks like they do one with 16mm drilling capacity for about £250 with a 550Watt motor.

Boyd

[Tinker1947]

Have a look at Warco machine tools.

Their prices include VAT and UK delivery to your door, looks like they do one with 16mm drilling capacity for about £250 with a 550Watt motor.

Boyd

Read "Gina's" thread concerning buying a Warco Lathe, if the Drill Press comes from China as well i would steer well clear.....

[tekkydave]

http://www.axminster.co.uk/ are usually worth a look for workshop tools. You are welcome to use my drill press at Cleckheaton in the mean time.

The only ones in their range I could afford are the Jet models. Thanks for the tip and the offer of course. I'll bear it in mind if I don't get my own drill

[Bizibilder]

I would not recommend Clarke (Machine Mart) or Draper as they are simply clones of drilling machines that you can buy very much cheaper elsewhere.

99% of drilling machines available at sensible prices are Chinese and many are very good.  I would suggest either Warco or Chester machine tools, both have an excellent reputation and have been serving the model engineer hobby for many years now (Both have been around since the 70's and have sold thousands of machines to satisfied customers).  Usual disclaimers all round!

As with all machines you need to check the specification so you are well under the advertised maximum if you intend doing much work with it.  Also consider whether you want a bench mounted machine or a floor standing model - by the way both will need to be firmly bolted down.

Something like this:   http://www.warco.co.uk/drilling-machines-bench-pillar-drills/302910-2b12-bench-mounted-drill-drilling-machine.html     from Warco should fit the bill or this:    http://www.chesterhobbystore.com/d-series-drilling-machinebrd19-4006-p.asp     from Chester (who seem to have a sale at the moment!!!).

Both have a 20mm maximum capacity and are substantial enough for what you want to do.  A bottom speed of around 120rpm which you will need to drive a big drill through steel.  While you are at it get a decent drill press vice    http://www.warco.co.uk/vices--vice-jaws/118-drill-mill-vices.html   and don't forget to bolt it to the table - if the drill grabs the work you can easily damage yourself!!

[keithatrochdale]

I have a reaslly cheap one, from one of the cheap supermarkets.

It could do with some better bearings, but has earned it's cost many times over.

Are you drilling with a pilot hole and what size?

Are you gradually increasing drill size?

Do you have a small electric grinder to keep your drill bits sharp?

[ChrisLX200]

You don't have to drill 14mm diameter in one go, in fact it's better not as it will chatter and wander a bit if the whole lot isn't held very firmly. Drill a 6mm pilot hole first then use the 14mm (plus cutting oil to make life easier for the drill bit). A 14mm in steel needs a fairly slow feed. It's the chisel point on the 14mm drill that is the problem, very high resistance just there unless you back it off and use 4-point grind on it. And yes, better quality drills would help, cheap Chinese 'HSS' cutting tools can be very soft, I had one actully twist the flutes nearly straight when it jammed once. Now I have decent Cobalt drills of German manufacture but then they cost £300 for a set...

ChrisH

[pete_l]

Good point. The new 14mm drill bit I started out with today is already blunt now. I guess as in all things - you get what you pay for.

14mm holy guacamole batman!

For 3/8 - 1/2 inch I was told you'd need about 1HP and a sloooow drilling speed. That could be why the bit went blunt and your drill overheated.

P.S. You did have a pilot hole?

[tekkydave]

I would not recommend Clarke (Machine Mart) or Draper as they are simply clones of drilling machines that you can buy very much cheaper elsewhere.

99% of drilling machines available at sensible prices are Chinese and many are very good.  I would suggest either Warco or Chester machine tools, both have an excellent reputation and have been serving the model engineer hobby for many years now (Both have been around since the 70's and have sold thousands of machines to satisfied customers).  Usual disclaimers all round!

As with all machines you need to check the specification so you are well under the advertised maximum if you intend doing much work with it.  Also consider whether you want a bench mounted machine or a floor standing model - by the way both will need to be firmly bolted down.

Something like this:   http://www.warco.co.uk/drilling-machines-bench-pillar-drills/302910-2b12-bench-mounted-drill-drilling-machine.html     from Warco should fit the bill or this:    http://www.chesterhobbystore.com/d-series-drilling-machinebrd19-4006-p.asp     from Chester (who seem to have a sale at the moment!!!).

Both have a 20mm maximum capacity and are substantial enough for what you want to do.  A bottom speed of around 120rpm which you will need to drive a big drill through steel.  While you are at it get a decent drill press vice    http://www.warco.co.uk/vices--vice-jaws/118-drill-mill-vices.html   and don't forget to bolt it to the table - if the drill grabs the work you can easily damage yourself!!

Thanks. Ill take a gander at those.

[tekkydave]

I have a reaslly cheap one, from one of the cheap supermarkets.

It could do with some better bearings, but has earned it's cost many times over.

Are you drilling with a pilot hole and what size?

Are you gradually increasing drill size?

Do you have a small electric grinder to keep your drill bits sharp?

I drilled a 3mm then 10mm pilot holes before trying the 14mm bit. Its hard to do the job properly and keep a good slow speed with a hand dill. Hence why I'm now looking into doing it properly. Ill get some good bits and a grinder to keep them sharp. Thanks for the advice.

[tekkydave]

You don't have to drill 14mm diameter in one go, in fact it's better not as it will chatter and wander a bit if the whole lot isn't held very firmly. Drill a 6mm pilot hole first then use the 14mm (plus cutting oil to make life easier for the drill bit). A 14mm in steel needs a fairly slow feed. It's the chisel point on the 14mm drill that is the problem, very high resistance just there unless you back it off and use 4-point grind on it. And yes, better quality drills would help, cheap Chinese 'HSS' cutting tools can be very soft, I had one actully twist the flutes nearly straight when it jammed once. Now I have decent Cobalt drills of German manufacture but then they cost £300 for a set...

ChrisH

Cheers Chris.

[tekkydave]

14mm holy guacamole batman!

For 3/8 - 1/2 inch I was told you'd need about 1HP and a sloooow drilling speed. That could be why the bit went blunt and your drill overheated.

P.S. You did have a pilot hole?

Yes, 3 then 10mm. I never claimed to be a Metalworking wizz

I want to learn to do it properly. I couldn't do Metalwork at school, we were only allowed woodwork :-(

[Tinker1947]

You might do better looking for a second hand drill press and grinder, might be old but named brands were built to last my "Wolf" grinder i brought 25 years ago, it wasn't new then...

http://www.homeandworkshop.co.uk/search.htm?22495

Your need a white grinding wheel to keep the drill cool.....

http://www.axminster.co.uk/aluminium-oxide-white-grinding-wheels

[1parsec]

Even a basic chinese drill press will make it much much easier to drill large diameter holes in steel compared to using a pistol drill.

We have a small axminster bench drill in the corner of our workshop and  although not as precise as our larger machines it was moneny well spent as it's provided sterling service for 7 years or more .

A 14mm drill flooded with coolant needs to be run at about 400 rpm in steel and slowed down to about 200 rpm if you're just using a 'splash' of cutting compound. 

Pistol drills just run too fast for steel and the cutting edge won't cope even with the best quality drill.

Dave.

[keithatrochdale]

And if you get a small grinder, don't forget one of these http://www.axminster.co.uk/diamond-wheel-dressers

[Dave_D]

or dip into the bargain basement...

http://www.diy.com/nav/fix/power-tools/bench-tools/bench_drilling/Performance-Power-350W-Bench-Drill-Press-12428566?skuId=12949272

just to throw something different into the mix 

[Bizibilder]

Those little 5 speed 300 watt machines won't even put a 1/4" (6mm) drill through steel (even though they are generally supplied with a 1/2" 13mm) chuck.  They have insufficient power and rigidity and the bottom speed of 500+ rpm is far too fast.  Sorry to be so negative but they simply won't do the job.

[tekkydave]

Looking at this one on the Axminster site at the moment £306 inc vat

http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-trade-series-at2801dp-bench-drill-press

Any comments?