[Ken Johnson]

I have a small shop so I work very hard at purchasing tools that can be used for multiple purposes. Years ago I recall seeing an article in a magazine on turning a drill press into a oscillating spindle sander. I don't recall how the mechinism worked, but it made the drill spindle go up and down automatically. Has anyone here done anything like this? I'd love to see pictures if you have. Any input is appreciated.

 

[Corndog]

That was an ooooold Fine Woodworking article. With the drill press itself, the cabinet, the reduction gear motor and so on....just bite the bullet and get the Ridgid.

 

[Ken Johnson]

It's not a matter of biteing the bullet. I have looked at the Ridgid and the price is not my issue. I am trying to conserve the little space I have for really important machines and get double duty out of my equipment. The more machines I buy, the tighter the space gets.

 

[Corndog]

I hear ya'. But if the drill press/ spindle sander is supposed to save space...I don't see it. Once you build what I think you're trying to build it'll take up a lot of space. Now, if in fact you want to change over machines...I've seen an add on to a drill press to do what you want it to do [oscillate] but I haven't seen one of those in quite some time.
Trust me...I'm cramped fer space too!!! 93.5 sq'.

 

[Ken Johnson]

Actually I don't want to build anything too elaborate. All I want to do is build a thin box to accept the spindle and allow 2" or so of vertical travel. And of course some simple device to move the drill spindle up and down. Maybe this is a pipe dream but I'm an engineer, what do you expect?:yes:

 

[Daren]

I'm an engineer, what do you expect?:yes:

From my experience...something too complicated and some what of a "tail chase" :laughing:. Sorry, let me introduce myself and welcome you. Hello Ken, Daren here.

 

[jokker78]

Shop fox makes a bench top drill press that is already made to do that.
Just add an extra belt to make it move up and down

 

[Miller Woodworks]

If you have a small electronic motor, it should be fairly simple to gear it down then add a brace between a handle of the drill press and a peg on a large gear to make it oscillate as the gear turns. You could mount it on top of the press and make some kind of quick disconnect for when you want to use the press normally.

 

[Dave Paine]

Just so everyone appreciates - this is a 2007 thread.

 

[Alchymist]

My only hesitation using the drill press is the additional side loading of the bearings - not something they were designed for. Same for trying to do milling on a drill press. JMHO....YMMV.

 

[Civilian]

My only hesitation using the drill press is the additional side loading of the bearings - not something they were designed for. Same for trying to do milling on a drill press. JMHO....YMMV.

I agree on the side loading issues

Jon
Northern Michigan

 

[geltz61]

Not only that, the chuck can pull down out of the drill press, it's only a press fit.

 

[Alchymist]

Not only that, the chuck can pull down out of the drill press, it's only a press fit.

Not all drill presses will, but it is true of those using a morse taper spindle.

 

[geltz61]

True, but most of the ones I've seen have that.

 

[rbk123]

Just so everyone appreciates - this is a 2007 thread.

I hope Daren was able to find a shirt.

 

[Daren]

I did, but the shirt is now 6+ years old too.

.

 

[Gilgaron]

I've not used it much yet other than messing around, but I got this for my birthday:
http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=20202&cat=1,42500

It is intended to prevent wear to the quill and other drawbacks when using a drill press as a sander, like the side load, and because you lock the quill it can't fall out.