TS3660

I was given a drill press. It is a large benchtop model with 6 speeds. The slowest speed is 300 RPM. I'm concerned that this is not slow enough for some bits, like large forstner bits. What do you guys think? Top speed is 2800 RPM.

__________________
Bud

"Capitalism is the unequal sharing of wealth: Socialism is the equal sharing of misery"

ACP

I think it'd be fine, how big of a forstner you planning to use? Just go slow and raise it to clear the chips frequently. The slowest recommended speeds on my charts are 250. I think 300 would be close enough. See if this link works for you. Otherwise just google bit speeds and you'll find some reliable charts for speeds. http://images.meredith.com/wood/imag...speedchart.pdf

97phatlady

http://www.woodmagazine.com/woodwork...s-speed-chart/

TS3660

Thanks. That chart is great.

__________________
Bud

"Capitalism is the unequal sharing of wealth: Socialism is the equal sharing of misery"

Gerry KIERNAN

As a rough rule of thumb the bigger the bit the slower the speed. Also, the harder the material the slower the speed. You will be able to tell quite quickly if your bit is cutting properly. I was using a Forstner bit the other day, and it wasn't cutting very well, bogging down, stalling, etc. I was trying to use it a speed which was too slow. When I jacked the speed up it cut just fine.

Gerry

Streamwinner

Great chart. Thanks.