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.

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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.

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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.

 

[johnv]

From the same vendor (AliExpress) I purchased an XY slide and fitted it and a very small toolmakers vice to the base. The second photo shows a series of holes drilled with a 0.4mm carbide bit into 6mm thick wood. Without breakage. If I make another model ship I will happily use this tiny, quiet, cheap, accurate setup to drill masts and spars and belaying pin racks. BTW, if I was to use only one drill press I would choose something a bit bigger. But I do have several others. The one in the photograph is the only one which I would use while SWMBO is watching TV in the same room.
In order to not irritate Bob Kleek, this is the Australian supplier of the $AUD65 cross slide. bihttps://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006493544220.html?spm=oneshop.search_products.0.0.787c7f6bIB7Mko&skuId=12000037406585996&pdp_ext_f=%7B%22sku_id%22%3A%2212000037406585996%22%7D&aecmd=true

 

[Woodpecker]

I finished my first model ship build, on a desk in the TV area, with SWMBO (She Who Must Be Obeyed) patiently putting up with me crawling around on all fours looking for small dropped pieces, and small tools running while she was watching her favourite TV programs. One tool which she did not appreciate was the Dremel, with its high pitched whine.
While considering my next build, I spotted advertisements for a tiny watch repairers drill press. And I bought one. $AUD98 from AliExpress. Including postage. (see photos).
I must say that I am delighted with the Chinese made tool. It is beautifully finished, feels tight, and it is very quiet. It IS tiny. The power supply plugs in on the side of the drill which is a bit inconvenient but not a deal breaker. The power supply also houses the on-off switch and speed control.
I chose the model with a non adjustable 3.175mm (1/8") chuck, which accepts only drill bits with a 3.175mm shank. Fortunately they are available in tungsten carbide sets very inexpensively ($AUD5 per set), and they fit snugly in the chuck. My previous experience with small cheap 3 jaw chucks showed that they are not particularly accurate, and it is easy to misfit tiny drill bits into the gap between adjacent jaws rather than centrally. The ER collet model should be OK, but extra cost for that model, plus the cost of the collets, plus the fiddle of changing the collets when changing the drill bit size were factors in my choice.
So, at this time I have drilled a few experimental holes, and it seems very good. I plan to fit an X-Y axis movement table, and will probably fit a larger securing knob for height setting. Those tiny carbide drill bits a very easy to snap, but with the work securely held, and the drill press ensuring no lateral movements, breakages should be rare.
I think that this tool will be popular with model ship builders.

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Hello John, your abbreviation for the CO (camanding officer or swmbo) is hysterical. But there is also another alternative that is relatively cheap and will cut down the high pitch noises (that sounds like a dental drill) of the dremel that most people hate. It's simple really, just find a old time foot controller for a sewing machine (or just order it from Amazon)and plug the dremel into that. With a little practice you will be able to control the speed very easily, and able to apply more power when needed as you are using it. If you order the electronic one, just turn off the dremel when not using it. Because for some reason you can hear it hum while not using it. But when it's time to use it, turn that baby up and step on the pedal as needed it, it's like adding a gas pedal to your dremel. It stopped my boss from complaining about it. She just finds other stuff to complain about now lmao. Thanks for your post, it gave me.a laugh.

 

[Bob Cleek]

From the same vendor (AliExpress) I purchased an XY slide and fitted it and a very small toolmakers vice to the base. The second photo shows a series of holes drilled with a 0.4mm carbide bit into 6mm thick wood. Without breakage. If I make another model ship I will happily use this tiny, quiet, cheap, accurate setup to drill masts and spars and belaying pin racks. BTW, if I was to use only one drill press I would choose something a bit bigger. But I do have several others. The one in the photograph is the only one which I would use while SWMBO is watching TV in the same room.

That's a nifty little cross slide there, and reasonably priced, too.

 

[Sandekus]

I am very pleased with this machine! When drilling 0.2 mm, there is practically no runout, drilling brass with drill 3 is no problem. Ideal for working with small parts. Preferably a higher rack, but this solvable.

 

[Krister_L]

I am very pleased with this machine! When drilling 0.2 mm, there is practically no runout, drilling brass with drill 3 is no problem. Ideal for working with small parts. Preferably a higher rack, but this solvable.

View attachment 576390

I'm also very pleased with mine