Large Scale Central

Dremel Work Station or Drill Press

Tools and Tips
#1

Well,

Didn’t want to hijack the other Dremel thread so I am posting a new “Dremel” question here.

I have been eyeing the Dremel Work Station which turns your Dremel tool into a drill press. Many times I wished I had a drill press for drilling small, accurate holes and other jobs.

I see I can get a regular drill press for about $100 and the Dremel Work Station for about half that amount. While I do not have a large budget, I am not looking at what is the cheapest but rather what is more useful. The Dremel has features like you can turn the tool 90 for various jobs, well, maybe that is the only feature it has.

Has anybody used one? Are the $100 drill presses any good?

Thanks

#2

Ward,

I’ve never used one but I’ve read reviews that say they are very inaccurate. Don’t know if Dremel has improved it since then or not.

I think you might be better off with even the cheapest drill press you can get.

JR

#3

Ward,

I have one. Works very nicely, even if it isn’t super-accurate.

Used with the right type of drill bit (I mostly use Sphinx) it does a “good enough” job. The big advantage is the variable high speed for the small diameter holes.

#4

I bought a Craftsman 9" drill press for and it works quite well. It goes a LOT slower than the slowest speed of the Dremel - which is a GOOD thing. It can hold larger bits than the Dremel; it can also do small ones, though the smallest I’ve used on it is #60. Mine came with a vise as well, which proves to be very handy.

I don’t know how I lived without it.

Now, it will take up a bit more space than the Dremel thingie.

#5

I’d go with the Sears drill press. The Dremel has its place, but it’s just not the basis for a drill press, no matter how you do it. Spend the extra money and get something that will be sturdy enough to do what you will ultimately want it to do.

Later,

K

#6

Found this on the Sears web site.

Craftsman 10 in. Drill Press with Laser - $99.99
"2/3 Hp (Max. Dev.) Induction Motor - Long lasting and smooth operating has plenty of power for the household projects. 1/2-in. keyed chuck. Ideal for all bits and sanding drums with up to a 1/2-in shank. 5-Speed- Five speed settings ranging from 620-3100 rpm. Quick belt tension and release - Allows for rapid spindle speed changes.

LaserTracâ„¢ - projects X and Y axis laser lines for accurate pre-alignment of drilling location
Quick release table elevation - Effortlessly raise, lower and make fine adjustments to the worktable
On/Off Switch With Removable Locking Key - Switch is easy to use and removable key helps prevent unauthorized usage
Beveling Table - 7-5/8 x 6-1/2 in. table will bevel 45-deg. and swivel 360-deg.
Fence And Stop Block Included - Fence and stop block help to secure the workpeice. Stop block aids in repetitive drilling
Depth Adjustment Rod - Sets the dept of the drill bit for repetitive drilling
Cast Iron Table And Base - Cast iron adds strength, stability, and support "

I would like to be able to use smaller numbered bits so I will check the min bit size the chuck will take when I get to the store.

I will be happy if it holds a #60 bit like Jon’s does.

I’m still off tomorrow so I will take a ride to the Sears Hardware store.

Thanks

#7

I got a half inch drill press , and tried using pinchucks mounted in it for the small work . It worked OK , BUT I finished up getting a small drill press , up to 1/4 . I hardly use the 1/2 inch now .
I also use free hand mini drills . I mainly scratch build , and do general modelling anyway , so my requirements may be a bit different . Not much though , a hole is a hole .
I would work out what gives most fun , and if necessary , buy a press instead of your next engine . That can come later .

#8

Oh, do buy a real drill press. You won’t regret it.

The Dremel tool is designed for a hand-held jobs, and at that it excels. For stationary use, NOT.

Dawg :cool:

#9

Thanks all for the advice.
I bought the Sears 10" Drill press today for $99.00. The chuck closes up pretty tight so I am sure it will hold the #60 drill bit, maybe smaller. Also got the 3" Angle Vice to go with it.
Its a Christmas present so no playing with it until then. No time right now for projects anyway.

Thanks again!

#10
Ward Hutton said:
Thanks all for the advice. I bought the Sears 10" Drill press today for $99.00. The chuck closes up pretty tight so I am sure it will hold the #60 drill bit, maybe smaller. Also got the 3" Angle Vice to go with it. Its a Christmas present so no playing with it until then. No time right now for projects anyway.

Thanks again!


Ward,

To try out how true the chuck/spindle runs: take a small drill, clamp it as short as possible in the chuck and try to start a hole on a piece of brass without center punching.

#11

Ward ,
You have chosen a general purpose drill , which may not unfortunately give the ability to drill very small holes becuse of the chuck .
In any case , it is awkward to fit small drill bits into a large chuck . So next time you are near a half decent tool outlet , get yourself a pin vise .
This amounts to a small chuck which (in the case of mine ) will take drills the size of a hair . I don’t use them , but use drills not much bigger .
This small chuck is precision mounted on a shaft about 1/8 to 5/32 dia , and the trick is to put the drill in the pin chuck , then put that in the drill press .
A lot of you will read this and say “bleedin’ obvious, innit?” . Yes , to all the smart asses , but some come to this forum for help .

Mike