Santa brings power tools!

[Studiodunn]

I was the lucky recipient of a 8" Bench Top Drill Press for Christmas. Yeah baby! My Generous Uncle seems to think I may want to consider one with more speeds/power. Having never used one before, I am beginning to do my homework on the subject...From what I have read so far, I think this will work just dandy for the situations I anticipate using it for, like cutting circles with a core bit, drilling holes in ornaments/pendants or panels for hanging. If anyone has any special insight(s) to share inclding safety/technical advice or other creative/atypical ways the drill press may be useful, I would welcome it. Naturally, I will avoid drinking Grandma's Eggnog while operating this machinery...LOL Any other advice?

Tool Shop brand
* 2.4 Amp Motor
* 5 Spindle Speeds
* 8 " Swing
* 1/2" Keyed Chuch
* 6" x 6", Open slot cast Iron table tilts 45 degrees Left/Right
* 7" Table Height Adjustment
* 22-1/2" Overall Height

[Morganica]

I've got a super-cheapo Harbor Freight drill press (if you wait for a sale you can get it for less than $60), and it works just fine. I wouldn't try cutting a hole in an inch-thick sink with it, but it's wonderful for drilling pendants, putting screwholes in for lightcovers, etc.

[AndyT]

What size holes in pendants are you going to drill??The smallest bit on drill press is 3/32". Bigger holes will give a fair amount of chip-out on the back. I always drill a 1.25mm hole with diamond bit in a flex-shaft dremel.

[bob proulx]

My new Christmas toy is a Covington 2 wheel 8" expando drum. What a great tool.
Bob

[Morganica]

What size holes in pendants are you going to drill??The smallest bit on drill press is 3/32". Bigger holes will give a fair amount of chip-out on the back. I always drill a 1.25mm hole with diamond bit in a flex-shaft dremel.

I use solid diamond bits as small as 3/4mm with my drill press, but I typically drill 2-3mm holes using a core bit. The smallest diamond core bit I've found (so far) is 1.5mm, and I have to be really careful not to strip it out--doesn't take much.

I've reduced chipout considerably by drilling both sides, and drilling on plasticene in a waterbath. Well, actually, I've reduced chipout even more by asking my mom to do the drilling; she has an incredibly soft touch with a drill press and never breaks the glass.

[The Hobbyist]

My Xmas tool toy:

[DonMcClennen]

I declare Jim "the hobbiest" the winner!!

[Katie M]

Lucky you. I am in the market for a lap grinder. Who makes this one? I am interested in a 24" diameter machine.

[The Hobbyist]

The lap grinder is made by Covington Engineering. I bought it from HIS Glassworks during their Black Friday - Cyber Monday sale. It's a beautiful, well made machine.

Jim