Radial Drill Press

[RockettMan]

Has anyone taken a regular drill press and converted it to a radial press? Is it worth it? I have a special use for it where by I have to drill deep drums. I thought I saw a project page for one several years ago, but can't find it now.

 

[zkling]

They make small, table top size radial drill presses, is that what you are talking about?

http://www.grizzly.com/products/G7945

I've seen where people build a large frame and them mount a drill press head upside down on a suspended column to clear large throat parts.

 

[RockettMan]

Well, I can buy one, for sure. I thought I remembered seeing one that had a materials list for converting. I'm getting older and more feeble, so...

 

[Outlawmws]

They used to make a "goose neck" to get a std head out further, (better bolt the base down...) If you can find one with the same column dia. it should work, no matter the brand.

Essentially you take the head off, the goose neck goes on, and it had a short column to support the head. Probably extended the head a foot to 16" or so.

 

[Packard V8]

Never seen or heard of that conversion in fifty years of Popular Mechanics.

Radial DPs seem to come in really light duty and really heavy duty. I have one of the Delta Homecraft light duty radials and it's fine if not pushed to drill more than 1/4" in steel.

jack vines

 

[RockettMan]

I know I have seen a conversion. However, might not be worth the hassle. I'm drilling wood only with it.

Never seen or heard of that conversion in fifty years of Popular Mechanics.

Radial DPs seem to come in really light duty and really heavy duty. I have one of the Delta Homecraft light duty radials and it's fine if not pushed to drill more than 1/4" in steel.

jack vines

 

[Outlawmws]

Never seen or heard of that conversion in fifty years of Popular Mechanics.

Radial DPs seem to come in really light duty and really heavy duty. I have one of the Delta Homecraft light duty radials and it's fine if not pushed to drill more than 1/4" in steel.

jack vines

Really? 1949 Craftsman Catalog:

 

[zkling]

How large of a swing are you looking to achieve?

 

[RockettMan]

About 8-12 inches.

BTW, thanks for all the replies!

How large of a swing are you looking to achieve?

 

[DenisG]

Someone made one here:
http://scottingham.com/shop_projects.html

 

[RockettMan]

Excellant!!!

Someone made one here:
http://scottingham.com/shop_projects.html

 

[Outlawmws]

How large of a swing are you looking to achieve?

About 8-12 inches.

SNIP

Something wrong with these two statements...

 

[DenisG]

Something wrong with these two statements...

I think that he intended to thank people who responded (so far), not as a statement of closing or exit. Not many people say "thank you."

 

[Outlawmws]

I think that he intended to thank people who responded (so far), not as a statement of closing or exit. Not many people say "thank you."

No, the statement ZK made, and his response. (I edited to make it clearer..)

 

[DenisG]

No, the statement ZK made, and his response. (I edited to make it clearer..)

OK. Many people use the word "swing" in reference to the largest diameter workpiece that a lathe can handle. I believe it's also used to describe drill press capacity or size.

 

[zkling]

Wow guys, can we raise the maturity level a little bit?

About 8-12 inches.

BTW, thanks for all the replies!

It's going to be your call. How large of a bit are we talking? AKA how much pressure are you going to be needing? ~12" isn't that much over a med size bench drill, then again getting it out there so it is solid and true 90° may be a challenge. If this is just a one time project I'd try to build a frame of sorts and mount the drill press upside down, with the head flipped on the column. Otherwise you are probably looking at either fabing something like linked above or purchasing a small radial setup. Is there no way you can use a hand drill and a drill guide?