Drill Press Speed

silver_pilate said:
Well, I did end up getting the Porter-Cable. It's a 12 speed 15" drill press that runs down to 300 rpm. Definitely a solid machine. It's spindle is very tight in tolerance, and it seems pretty well built. The only complaints are that the base isn't quite heavy enough for my likes and tends to wobble a bit. I'll have to put some weight on it for now until I build my own shop and can bolt it to the floor.

I went ahead and installed the keyed chuck that came with the press. It's definitely a better chuck than my Craftsman drill press, but I'll eventually install a keyless precision chuck.

This one is definitely more stiff than my small press. And the table was dead-on square to the spindle right out of the box. I did some drilling with a 3/8 in some stainless yesterday, and it went really well. Much easier to put consistent and more significant feed pressure than what I've used before.

--nathan
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Thank you very much. I have been looking for this information.
 
I just purchased the same Porter Cable press you did a couple of days ago and it looked like a good upgrade from the small table top press I had for 20 years or so. After I got it together I was a little disappolinted at how wobbly it was on the colum and base. I double checked the bolts and all are fine, bolted it to the floor it still flexes a pretty good bit. Im contemplating taking it back. How has your experience been with this press so far.

Jerry Fisher
 
As far as the rpm's go the count has it right. A 1/4" HSS drill bit in mild steel should be run at 1600rpm. The key is to make sure it cuts and does not dwell in the hole. If it does on some steels it will work harden it and be like drilling concrete. If you go to an alloy steel I normally cut the rpm in half and it is very important to have a good steady feed. If you extrapolate the 1/4" is makes a 1/2" drill should run 800rpm and a 1" should be at 400. Alloy steel will be 1/2 of that. Now this is a starting point and you can adjust the speed from here. I normally start about 10% down and work up. You will get the hang of it. Like Nathan pointed out a drill should last 100 holes or better. Just got to get the speed and feed right.
 
A C Richards said:
As far as the rpm's go the count has it right. A 1/4" HSS drill bit in mild steel should be run at 1600rpm. The key is to make sure it cuts and does not dwell in the hole. If it does on some steels it will work harden it and be like drilling concrete. If you go to an alloy steel I normally cut the rpm in half and it is very important to have a good steady feed. If you extrapolate the 1/4" is makes a 1/2" drill should run 800rpm and a 1" should be at 400. Alloy steel will be 1/2 of that. Now this is a starting point and you can adjust the speed from here. I normally start about 10% down and work up. You will get the hang of it. Like Nathan pointed out a drill should last 100 holes or better. Just got to get the speed and feed right.
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Is there a quick reference chart somewhere for the drill bit size vs rpm?

Edit: found a good chart through google!
 
Jerry, the base is wobbly, and I'm unable to bolt it down as I'm in a rented concrete-floor shop. However, I just placed some weight on the base, and it's worked fine. As for the column to the base flex, I haven't noticed anything like that. I will say that it is MUCH more rigid than my Craftsman benchtop with a nice solid table. I have not noted any perceivable flex in the column itself either. It nice to have a drill bit actually cut the steel rather than just spin in the hole. There was way too much flex in my prior press for larger hole drilling.

--nathan
 
Thanks for the info Nathan. I just got this thing together and haven't had any time to play with it yet. I will have some time tomorrow and see what I can do.

Jerry
 
silver_pilate said:
As I'm tired of burning up larger drill bits, I'm considering getting a free-standing multi-speed drill press. I'm curious about what is a good low speed to look for. I believe the press I have right now goes down to either 650 or 700rpm at it's slowest (if that), and for larger bits, I'd like to be able to go even slower to allow the bit to bite and not chatter. On top of that, I need the extra rigidity of a larger drill press.

So is 300 rpm typical of the lower end for a 12 speed drill press? Any luck with the HF presses? I know you get what you pay for...how about Delta?

--nathan
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I have a cheap sears crafsman and it is wonderful
 
Several years ago I bought a Delta Shopmaster from Lowes. I love this one. Nice and solid, and it is variable speed. Just turn the handle. Sweet.

Paul
 
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