Using Drill Press, Bits, End Mills....

[Matt M PA]

Well guys, I'm working on a project that requires me to clear out a pocket in a billet aluminum piece. I've made a few cuts with a drill bit and matching end mill to remove most material and make a flat floor. I now need to remove the "peaks" between the holes.

I realize that I can't, or shouldn't move the work piece around, trying to use a drill press as a mill.

I'm wondering if it's OK to use the drill press and an end mill to vertically "drill" these peaks. My concern is that the end mill would not be drilling onto a flat, full surface, but a "peak".

I suppose I could use a file or grinder...but hoping to get closer with an end mil first.

Thanks for the thoughts everyone!

 

[xela456]

Should be fine. Just make sure you get the right end mill as some of them won't cut in the center. I don't know how big your piece is but an aftermarket x y axis would make this much easier.
Something like this https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009E0E9YK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Joebass]

AR parts? Lol

 

[Robby321]

Ball End Mill?

 

[thursday]

The term you are describing is "plunge milling". It's a perfectly legitimate method for material removal.

As Xela stated you need to make sure your endmill is a center cutting end mill.

 

[Matt M PA]

Thanks everyone! Yep...the mills borrowed from a friend are indeed center cutting.

Joebass....could be..

 

[larry_g]

Should be fine. Just make sure you get the right end mill as some of them won't cut in the center. I don't know how big your piece is but an aftermarket x y axis would make this much easier.
Something like this https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009E0E9YK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I like to post this utube fail when someone suggests milling on a drill press.

I also suggest that if your going to plunge mill that you clamp the piece down because an end mill will grab and launch your part. This happens even in milling machines with the parts poorly clamped.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Matt M PA]

I like to post this utube fail when someone suggests milling on a drill press.

I also suggest that if your going to plunge mill that you clamp the piece down because an end mill will grab and launch your part. This happens even in milling machines with the parts poorly clamped.

lg
no neat sig line

Thanks Larry....yes, held in a vise. Going very slowly with everything tightened. Doing my best to be really careful to avoid a problem. Only going straight down.

 

[justanengineer]

If you have a rough pocket to start with, you could also use a wood router for final cleanup.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[rsanter]

It depends on how much webbing you have remaining between the holes .
The drill press does not have the tolerance for milling and when trying to do what you suggest you may get that end mill limping around and ruin you part.

A couple thIngest you can look at /try.
Adjust your quil lock to snug to tighten up the clearance there.
Do not go straight down the center of the web, be off to the side a little. This will mean more clean up passes but it will better load one side of the end mill more than the other and hopefully eliminate the jumping around

 

[Matt M PA]

Thanks everyone! Very helpful. I worked at this today and last night....made very nice progress. Using the end mills, press, Dremel, die grinder and files....I had a fairly nice and functional piece.