madbeanpedals::forum

I'm interested in a drill press that I can use occasionally (2 or 3 times a year really) for pedals, I can't see myself drilling anything thicker than a standard pedal box.

Would something like this Mini Drill Press (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0040YJTTU) be under-powered? Not sure if it matters, but I also have these step bits (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002GQ5AKG) that I was planning on using (when using a friends' drill press). I got the step bits because parts I got from Mammoth didn't have any diameter specs.

If this is not the right kind of drill press, what would you recommend for a beginner and light use?

EDIT: After watching this video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1w6Nu5tMO88), now I'm thinking a drill press is overkill- what to experts around here use?

That might be fine. Speeds up to 8k RPM is pretty good for that size. Only concern would be how much clearance to you have with the drill fully extended. You need to be able to drill the tops sides of enclosures, which are about 4.6".

Here's an alternative for about the same price. Slower speeds, but I've been using one like this for a while and it's decent enough.

http://www.harborfreight.com/speed-bench-drill-press-60238.html

I just got one like Brian linked a couple weeks ago for around $40 with a coupon and on sale.   But....I've built well over 100 pedals with just a cordless drill and step bit.

Josh

I used a handheld power drill for a year. I still use it for the side jacks. It's slower to finish than the drill press, but it gets the job done just as well, provided you don't rush the job. Mind you, *I* use a set of bits from 3mm to 13mm in 0.5mm increments, not a step bit  :P

I've put my order in for fathers day. I showed my wife the press Brian linked to with a note that said THIS!
I like a press better,becasue the handheld tend to walk a bit.

Maybe overkill for your needs but I use Skil 10" benchtop drill press. Really accurate and a good value for the money. I don't use it for just pedals but also for instrument making and repairs in my small shop. You can get it at Lowes for ~$125


http://www.lowes.com/pd_197820-46922-3320-01_4294702901%2B4294965262__?identifier=Tools%2FPresses-Lathes%2FSkil&productId=1207335&rpp=32&Ns=p_product_qty_sales_dollar%7C1&searchQueryType=1

You'll likely find that the nicest part of a drill press is drilling accurate pilot holes.  I use a tiny bit to drill all pilots and can then either use the right size bit on the press or a stepper bit in a hand drill.  My Ryobi is nothing to write home about but does a nice job, is very consistent, and works well for guitar work as well.

Used a hand drill for everything for a few decades, got a small benchtop drill press for Christmas a few years ago, best present ever, use it all the time for far more then the occasional pedal i build.

dave

I use this benchtop from Grizzly tools:(http://cdn0.grizzly.com/pics/jpeg1000/g/g7942.jpg)
http://www.grizzly.com/products/5-Speed-Baby-Drill-Press/G7942 (http://www.grizzly.com/products/5-Speed-Baby-Drill-Press/G7942)

The mini press you linked would be nice for drilling pcb's sitting at a table, but for enclosures I'd spend an extra $30 and get a benchtop.

I've got a Sealey (sp?) bench drill press and it's great. I think it's about £105, but there is a cheaper one made by Silverline that's about £50 but the build quality was crap.

*edit* just realised that you're in America, so disregard what I said above as you will probably be able to get cheaper ones it there.

What Brian said, make sure you get enough clearance with the press to drill the sides of the boxes. My one is classed as a hobby one so it's slightly shorter then the bigger ones in the range, but to drill the sides of a 1590BB box I need to move the table out the way and prop up the clamp with something smaller so the step drill bit can reach fully. It's fine for the sides of the other boxes though.

Sent from my thumbs using Tapatalk!

...and i have one of these:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/EINHELL-BT-BD-401-BENCH-DRILL/dp/B0012MBPCW/ref=pd_sim_sbs_kh_3/279-0748564-0701840

... when i looked around to buy one, it seems pretty obvious that they are "all the same" in this price cathegory(?) ... I think my Einhell machine is veeeeerrrryyy lookalike timbo's grizzly one, pryde's skil as well as madbean's.

For my first boxes i used a handheld one, but i found this bench drill machine was so cheap i couldnt afford to not buy one ... and it does the work when drilling PCB-s as well.

Cheers

Hey mate, not much more to say than what's been said, drill press is definitely the way to go. A cheaper option, what i have, is a press that allows you to mount your hand drill in, works the same, but allows your drill to be removed for other uses. AlanP do you really change your drill bit 10 times to drill a side jack  :o, or did i read that wrong, stepbits also a must have IMO, Matt.

Do any of you folks with drill presses have an X-Y table for it?  When I get a drill press, the X-Y will have to happen at the same time.

I usually use a mill with an X-Y on there, but I am really using it more as a drill press than a mill.  The X-Y really makes it a lot easier to drill accurate holes, plus it clamps the enclosure while you are drilling it.

Quote from: pickdropper on June 09, 2013, 02:09:26 PM
Do any of you folks with drill presses have an X-Y table for it?  When I get a drill press, the X-Y will have to happen at the same time.

I usually use a mill with an X-Y on there, but I am really using it more as a drill press than a mill.  The X-Y really makes it a lot easier to drill accurate holes, plus it clamps the enclosure while you are drilling it.

I have a floor model drill press I use for woodworking that I also use for pedals.  I've got the x-y table too but, for me, marking the hole locations with a center punch and holding the enclosure by hand is quick, easy and does a good job.  I just have to maintain my iron grip so I don't get whacked by something (thank you, lessons taught to me by woodworking).

To go with the drillpress get quality drill bits from a specialty dealer not the crap sold at big box stores, that goes for the indispensable step bits too. I too break the rules and handhold enclosures while drilling but with great bits i can release the enclosure while drilling and it doesn't budge as the bit goes through, table top friction is enough to hold the enclosure in place after initial start of hole and the exit.

Quote from: davent on June 09, 2013, 03:36:33 PM
To go with the drillpress get quality drill bits from a specialty dealer not the crap sold at big box stores, that goes for the indispensable step bits too. I too break the rules and handhold enclosures while drilling but with great bits i can release the enclosure while drilling and it doesn't budge as the bit goes through, table top friction is enough to hold the enclosure in place after initial start of hole and the exit.

Yeah, I bought an Irwin step bit from Home Depot.  Irwin has a decent reputation but I was surprised at how crappy it was.  It didn't compare to the Klein step bit that I usually use.

@pickdropper

Definetely a X/Y table is a good investment. I went without for a while but couldn't live without it now.

This thread is fantastic, thank you everyone! I certainly have some reading up to do.

BUT, I got impatient and borrowed my friends' handheld cordless drill. The layout of the LED is a little goofy but considering it's my first time drilling a box, I'm happy with it! Choosing a 1590a for my first non-pre-drilled project was probably not the best idea  ;D

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BMWJ_ivCMAELN_T.jpg)

I'm going to definitely look at a drill press since I'm hoping to do this more often. I'm surprised at how affordable highly-recommended models are! Before posting here I would've guessed it to be over $200 or so, but some of these linked well within reach.

One more tool whether hand drilling or using a drillpress, center punch,  mark exactly where the hole is to go.  Being totally anal i resort to an optical center punch.dave

Further thoughts, I haven't worked with a laser sight on a press but if it works would be cool.  For circuit boards I got the Small Bear bits, which are incredible and last a long time.  I wear a magnifier hood (cheapo Harbor Freight) and I have an air line from an old aquarium pump that blows on the board (away from my face) so I can get my head in close to the board.  That way I can get insane accuracy on boards and don't have to worry about getting fiberglass in my eyes.  The Small Bear bits have a big tang on them so your drill chuck doesn't have to be crazy accurate.  They're not cheap but I've blown thru tons of hobby bits that go dull really quick or snap.  Also, chuck your bits so that there is very little of the bit exposed so they won't wobble under pressure.  Most of the Hammond-type stuff we deal with is very forgiving.

OT, but Davent i really dig that knob layout on the pictured pedal and may have to "borrow" this idea someday, original and cool lookin' :)

Hi Matt, Drill templates, another great tool to get the most from your drillpress.

The small circles below the pots just show the spots where standoffs have been epoxied inside the enclosure. If you open the pdf in Inkscape you can edit it/fine tune it to meet your needs. No room for a battery in this build so using a small unswitched power jack but the art for a regular switched power jack is there if you need one.

Take care
dave