Drill Press for modelers

[RussF]

The Innocraftsman chucks have a minimum closing distance of 0.3 - 4 mm for the universal chuck and 3.175 for the collet chuck.

This minimum closing distance of the collet chuck is equivalent to about 1/8" and will only hold the shank size of the commonly seen short carbide bits used for drilling printed circuit boards.

If my calculations are correct, the Innocraftsman universal chucks will not hold HSS bits smaller than about 1/8" (0.125") or above a number 34 numbered bit nor larger than about a 5/32". To use a HSS bit smaller than a number 34 in the Innocraftsman chucks, a bit holding adapter will be necessary. The usual numbered bit indexes modelers commonly use contain numbers 61 through 80.

Paying $129.00 for a drill press with such a narrow range of drill sizes would be a deal-breaker for me. Your mileage may differ, of course.

View attachment 540111

I think the chucks on most of those drills mount with a JT0 Jacob's taper. Keyless 0-3mm chucks are available, but cost around the same or slightly more than the drill itself. However, it may be worth it for the additional range.

 

[Dart]

i bet you could change the pullies so you can have that speed feature.

how is the chuck mounted to the quill?

Shortened Morse tool cone 0 (B7) 2°58'54"

 

[Dart]

In my machine, the chuck is compressed to 0. In the picture, the drill bit is 0.5mm.

 

[Bob Cleek]

In my machine, the chuck is compressed to 0. In the picture, the drill bit is 0.5mm.

As is should be! This is one of the things about Chinese machine tools that takes some getting used to. The exact same model tool can often be manufactured to more than one set of specifications. They make them to the buyer's specifications and price point. Tight tolerances cost money. So do zero-closing adjustable drill chucks. (A really good micro-drill chuck can run more than $1,000.00 USD: https://www.grainger.com/category/m...afCatRedirect=true&searchBar=true&tier=Tier+4)

The model you have apparently came with a more expensive universal chuck.

These import machines may look the same, but there's a reason why there's a price spread between the apparently same machine from Grizzly and Harbor Freight: "You want us to clean the casting sand off before we paint them? That costs extra."

 

[paul ron]

In my machine, the chuck is compressed to 0. In the picture, the drill bit is 0.5mm.

View attachment 540120

pretty impresive for this price range.

 

[Krister_L]

Yes, but there is also an extended rod for sale, suitable for the drill press, or if I can find a Ø13mm steel bar in a nearby shop, that would solve the problem. I'm also looking more and more at the xyzr table from them. I was first looking at the Proxxon 24264 dividing attachment, but the Innocraftsman variant would give me more options and so far I'm really impressed with, and satisfyed by the finish and quality of the Innicrafstman equipment.

XYZR Axis Precision Fine Tuning Cross Slide 60x60mm

The XYZR Axis Precision Fine Tuning Cross Slide 60x60mm is a 4-axis positioning platform designed for ultra-precise micro-adjustments in the X, Y, Z, and rotational (R) axes. Unlike standard platforms, this model features a full 360-degree rotating base, allowing you to not only raise or align a...

innocraftsman.com

Problem solved! A local supplier had Ø13mm h9 stainless steel on stock in lengths of 250mm, so I just bought one. Cost me $18 plus $9 for freight. Delivered in two days.
By the way, tested with a Ø0,4mm drill bit (the smallest I have) in the chuck and it works.