77 replies to this topic

[SlotStox#53]

Cool , thanks Can't beat it for the price .

[drrufo]

I use a H/F drill with the light and laser guide to drill all my parts for my controllers. I use it to drill a #36,#30,and a#43 drill hole. If you need anything smaller than that I can't help you but it drills my full throttle stops which are brass mother board stand offs. I tap them after drilling and the holes go in easy. I also drill aluminum heat sinks with a hard anodizing on it. It dulls my saw blades but the drill goes thru like butter.

 

  John Andersen

[Hworth08]

The cheap milling vises can drive a person mad. Too much play in each of the two planes plus the cheap presses are a bit difficult to get perfectly indexed. Result is even a true and sharp bit doesn't hit the object to be drilled square and runs off. Decent milling vises start around a  $100.

 

A $7 vise with two bolts is a good idea and even a "little" drill press can sling a piece around and cause a nasty cut. These ain't Dremels!

[Pablo]

My conclusion is, I'll get the HF unit along with the $16.99 vice and some C Clamps and be good to go.

Thanks everybody, for all the tips and choices.

[dc-65x]

Sounds good Pablo. You can always add other goodies later if you feel you need them.

[John Streisguth]

Pablo, another handy item is what is sometimes referred to as a "toolmakers vise".  It is a smaller, more precisely made vise that has all sides ground parallel and perpendicular.  Pricing on ebay seems to be in the $50-60 range (and up!) for a new one, less than that for used.

[Paul Jurczyszyn]

Pablo,
That's the one I have and love it... Has belt to set to lower speeds. I also got the vice to hold small parts.
My 2nd press is for my dermal for small stuff.
Paul

[dc-65x]

Pablo, another handy item is what is sometimes referred to as a "toolmakers vise".  It is a smaller, more precisely made vise that has all sides ground parallel and perpendicular. 

 

That would be super handy Pablo. Here's a link to what John's talking about:

 

VISE

 

This is a cheaper version without the sides ground parallel. Of course, the more you spend the nicer the features and quality usually are.

[Tim Neja]

Rick--that's the same vise I have that I use and love.  It has some indexing that helps hold parts in the same place over and over.  I also have a set of "soft jaws" for it as well.  Use it all the time!!

[Guy Spaulding]

Is this Harbor Freight model going to suit my slot car building needs ?

http://www.harborfre...60238-9067.html

 

What attachments would I need to secure the work ? Clamps ? Etc ?

Plan on going to Harbor Freight tomorrow   Need quick advice

This press is a good place to start.  Plenty of power, variable speed, and built-in lamp.  But a nice keyless precision chuck would make it even better.

2 cents worth?

(Remember when 2-cents bought 2 pieces of gum?)

[Pablo]

I got the HF unit, a vice, and some clamps for slightly over $100 total.

[SlotStox#53]

Cool beans Enjoy your new toys Pablo With all the great info & advice with links they will come in handy.... Could be another HF drill press being purchased soon...

[dc-65x]

 

That would be super handy Pablo. Here's a link to what John's talking about:

 

VISE

 

This is a cheaper version without the sides ground parallel. Of course, the more you spend the nicer the features and quality usually are.

 

Hi Pablo,

 

Glad you did the deed!

 

Keep the little vise (or something similar) with the link shown above in mind though...........

[Phil Hackett]

Remember to wear eye protection! Little drills and parts are dangerous too!

[Half Fast]

FYI the manual says the smallest bit it can accommodate is 1/16". Thinking about this one myself

 

Cheers

[Pablo]

Anything smaller than 1/16 I can probably just use my twist drill.

Yes, Phil, Thanks, I got my eye pro.

 

Rick, here is a pic of my vice, looks very similar to what you linked me to:

[SlotStox#53]

Nice vice you picked up Pablo Nice set of tools acquired for the slot building empire!

[Pablo]

Ya, now I can pretend I'm a junior journeyman, wear a funny little engineer's cap, and walk around the house muttering thinks like "runout" and "mils" in a German accent. "Ya, Hilda, fetch me more lager"

[dc-65x]

My old time German Journeyman mentor Otto would say, "Ya zat is da vay ve do it in Germany!"

[Guy Spaulding]

FYI the manual says the smallest bit it can accommodate is 1/16". Thinking about this one myself

 

Cheers

That's why I suggested "But a nice keyless precision chuck would make it even better." 

My father bought my drill press, (made in Taiwan)...OMG...40 years ago!    He replaced the cheap chuck with a nice Jacob precision chuck.  

I still use it today!   

[Half Fast]

The keyless chuck is great but it costs more than the whole drill press!

 

Cheers

[Guy Spaulding]

It beats buying a $400 model someone else suggested. 

Get what you need and keep some cash in your pocket

[Hworth08]

Drill press serves as a slot car press also. Maybe 400 pounds of pressure, all that's needed for slot use.

[Phil Hackett]

It beats buying a $400 model someone else suggested. 

Get what you need and keep some cash in your pocket

Those $400 presses have chuck that will close down to nothing. Buying a good chuck ain't cheap.... and when you do you'd better know what taper the press spindle is... if you can the old one off. If it's threaded you're "threaded".

[Rick]

Almost all of those chicken chit drill presses have a 33JT on them. I have one from Sears and low and behold it is a 33JT..............