Drill press runout question

[66354dream]

Sorry to sound so ignorant but I have been reading about drill presses and more than anything it seems the "runout" is the single most important thing people worry about more than anything else, I recently bought one but I don't do wood work I will be using it mostly for drilling on various steel, aluminum automotive parts. I can imagine what a drill press with severe runout would cause but is it more critical with wood work? thanks.

 

[catalytic]

Drill press runout is a pain no matter what you're drilling. Runout causes a bit of wallowing on the hole, but the biggest annoyance (in my opinion) is that it makes it difficult to line up the hole with your mark/center punch dot and it also causes vibration. Shoot for 0.001 or better, measured with a dial test indicator. Chuck a 1.75" long piece of 1/2" steel rod (if you have it, TGP that is turned, ground, polished stock or Drill Rod stock are best) into your drill, and measure the runout on the rod about 1" lower than the chuck jaws.

Runout is usually caused by:
1. old worn bearings on the spindle (check and replace them)
2. worn chuck jaws or grit stuck behind them (rebuilding the chuck sometimes fixes this -- sometimes you need to replace the chuck)
3. a poor fit between the chuck and the drill press. Remove it, check for grit and clean it, and put it back in.

 

[APEowner]

Runout is an issue whenever you want the holes that you're drilling to be close to the drill size. It's also an indicator of both the quality of the drill press and the condition that it's in. A new good quality drill press will have very little runout.

 

[66354dream]

Cool so anything below .001" should be OK? I just bought a brand new Porter Cable PCB660DP drill press and have been reading up on it and seems to be a good quality piece, I know it's not the absolute best but from what I've read it is respectable. Do any of you guys have personal experience with this unit? I haven't even put it together but I've already been researching upgrades for it, can you guys recommend a good quality american made 5/8" chuck that's trustworthy just in case? thanks

 

[Davefr]

Cool so anything below .001" should be OK?

You'll be very lucky to see <.001" runout at the chuck. (maybe at the spindle).

The highest precision Jacobs chucks are spec'd at .0016" TIR. (most are at least double that)

 

[fsae0607]

I have that same drill press. I haven't measured the run out on mine, but it's a solid drill press and it has given me no problems. The only gripe is the laser level. It's junk and hard to adjust properly.

I just added that reduction kit that Rogue Fabrication sells, along with a new work light and power switch.

 

[66354dream]

I've never really been a big believer in lasers on drill presses anyway so I can do without it.
Will the chuck really make a difference, I've read some very good chucks can run upwards of about 300$ ?