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Am I an idiot to try a small boring head for face milling on a pillar drill?

E

Eric the Viking

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I know this isn't ideal, but Chronos have an offer, and I'd find that capability quite useful as I have no machine tools (OK I need also to up my game regarding workholding). I'm thinking of machining aluminium mostly, and small workpieces. And yes I realise I'll need XY movements (so extra cost).

Is this totally silly (if so, why?), or worth experimentation?

TIA, E.
 
Most pillar drills aren't designed to take the lateral forces involved in milling, so you'll probably find you get fairly poor results (and possibly damage the pillar drill). You'll also have no fine Z control for taking very light passes (which you'll have to do as the pillar drill won't be very robust).
 
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Have you considered a hobby CNC machine? I have milled a small aluminium piece, and those owners on the forum I belong do loads more. More expensive, I reckon, but if you're going to make multiple items the same, or mutliple items different that are not huge, nor required for industrial use, a CNC machine might be a option. You can mill wood and plastics, too.
 
I tried milling in my CVA lathe before I bought a Clarkson Mill, it worked with relatively small cutters but it was still a miserable experience with a lot of chatter. I would imagine trying to mill in a pillar drill would be another level of misery!
 
I done some experimentation before on seeing if I could utilize my pillar drill's table as a chuck,
by loosening it slightly, which didn't work as the fit is fairly sloppy on my machine.

It would'a been nice if it were possible to do some light milling like such.
Perhaps it might be so, on something fancier?
Spinning the table .png

All the best
Tom
 
Eric the Viking said:
I know this isn't ideal, but Chronos have an offer, and I'd find that capability quite useful as I have no machine tools (OK I need also to up my game regarding workholding). I'm thinking of machining aluminium mostly, and small workpieces. And yes I realise I'll need XY movements (so extra cost).

Is this totally silly (if so, why?), or worth experimentation?

TIA, E.
Click to expand...


Doing what exactly? Would a bit of Ali chucked up in a standard wood lathe get it done?
 
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