[sdiy] Dremel drill press

[Philippe Derenne]

I agree, Tom !

I use a "normal" Metabo drill and a drill stand, together with step bits, to 
make perfectly circular holes in plastic and aluminium, up to more than 20 
mm diameter.
I adjust the speed to a very low setting, and I apply very little pressure, 
to avoid tearing or melting (plastic).
This should work for plexiglass as well.

For small holes (up to 6-8 mm), I use "lip and spur" drill bits, also called 
"brad point" or "dowelling" bits. They are quite expensive, but I don't make 
any "triangular-with-rounded-angles" holes anymore.
Sometimes I use those bits to make centering holes, and then step bits to 
achieve the bigger diameter.

I only use a Dremel-type drill to make holes in PCB (0.8 to 3 mm). This one 
is a DC-powered, and I made a special PWM power supply with a speed 
regulation : the more pressure you apply, the more power is supplied (larger 
pulses).
The drill stand I use for this is a good one (Proxxon MB140/S).

Hope this helps...

Phil.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tom Bugs" <admin at bugbrand.co.uk>
To: "Dump Static" <xpandrew at ph.k12.in.us>
Cc: <Synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl>
Sent: Tuesday, August 19, 2008 7:40 PM
Subject: Re: [sdiy] Dremel drill press


> Hmm, I've always found Dremel type drills too fast for drilling plastic 
> decently -- things tend to melt a bit!
> It may work, but a more regular pillar type drill may be more of use for 
> such tasks.
> I may be wrong though!
>
>
> Dump Static wrote:
>> My plan was for drilling holes (for jacks, pots, etc) in plastic panels.
>>
>> I would use something sharp to poke a little starter mark in the plastic 
>> so the bit shouldn't walk.
>>
>> Any other tips on drilling lexan/plexiglass?
>>
>> Drew
>>
>>
>>>>> "Dave Magnuson" <KingRavine at comcast.net> 08/19/08 10:57 AM >>>
>>>>>
>> I agree entirely with what John says below.   I also had a different 
>> model, and had the same problem with bit deflection.
>>
>> The Z-axis of mine was off a little.   Shimming helped (some).   Such 
>> narrow drill bits bend and walk if they're not perfectly 90 degrees to 
>> the table.
>>
>> Dave
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: <johnspeth at yahoo.com>
>> To: <Synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl>
>> Sent: Tuesday, August 19, 2008 11:16 AM
>> Subject: Re: [sdiy] Dremel drill press
>>
>>
>>
>>> About 10 years ago I bought a Dremel brand drill press. It doesn't look 
>>> like the one you are pointing to. It basically works but the precision 
>>> was a big disappointment for me. I bought it to drill PCB holes.
>>> I think the problem with mine is that the bearings that guide the 
>>> toothed shaft to which the drill is fastened are of poor quality 
>>> (assuming there even are bearings in mine). What I experienced is the 
>>> bit point will shift position as pressure is applied at the time when 
>>> the bit point starts to press into the board. I used strong rubber bands 
>>> on the shaft to apply one-way pressure to the shaft in the bearing 
>>> sleeve. It helped enough to make it barely usable for 0.1 inch work but 
>>> the not enough to make me want to use it a lot. The press is probably 
>>> sufficient for craft use (like model trains and planes) but not for 
>>> precision engineering work.
>>> If that's your intended purpose for this press, I suggest you evaluate 
>>> one first and check that it has the precision you're looking for.
>>> JJS
>>>
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message ----
>>> From: Dump Static <xpandrew at ph.k12.in.us>
>>> To: Synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl
>>> Sent: Tuesday, August 19, 2008 6:35:23 AM
>>> Subject: [sdiy] Dremel drill press
>>>
>>> Anyone have good/bad experience with this:
>>>
>>> http://www.mytoolstore.com/dremel/drillprs.html
>>>
>>> tanks :)
>>> Drew
>>>
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>>>
>>>
>>>
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