[1919Semi-Owner]

I picked up a drill press from Sears (on sale - awesome price) and need to shave off some weld spots from some metal.

If I hold the metal in place and use a small drill bit, it tends to slide or bend and doesn't really work. I was curious to know if there is a bit that could be used with a press to shave off some metal (Sort of like a router bit).

 

[2ndamndmnt]

buy an end mill

 

[TARGSHOOT]

i second the endmill, but be advised that a standard drill press is not designed for the side load on the spindle that the endmill would create. however there have been post here in the past that some have had success in milling their internals on a drill press....if you must take small cuts very slow,

 

[GIJUNKMAN]

I'd use a die grinder or a dremal tool before I put an endmill in a drillpress. Endmills have a tendancy to grab and spin unclamped stuff. That can get messy really quick.

 

[hotchkissmtrifle]

Do you have access to a metal lathe? Before I had a mill I would run a shaft with a key into the chuck and put the old time horizontal cutters on it. Take off your tool holder and clamp or make a jig to hold your project and then you can screw it in or out to cut, slot or whatever, not fast but doable, its really what a horizontal mill his anyway. Hotch

 

[belt fed frog]

key seat cutter would do it but it is still dangerious in a drill press

 

[ravenrob]

Go to your local auto parts store and buy a spot weld drill bit. They are made specifically for drilling spot welds. I use them all the time for replacing body panels on cars and trucks. They're cheap and work great.

 

[Dranin]

Another thing you could use is a "center Drill bit" they are short drilling tips that you use to start pilot holes. They are short and rigid so they won't walk on your work surface. Yoou can get a set and/or a spot weld cutting bit at harbor freight.

 

[2ndamndmnt]

i agree on the end mill grabbing the work piece, i assume he is not that ignorant as to shop safety. you should always clamp any work to any table regardless of how small an operation it is. and eye protection is always nice-wouldn't want to put your eye out kid

 

[soulreaper]

(i actualy wrote this before reading the post above but i second everthing he said)

grizzly sells a drill press clamp or vice not realy sure what its called but it mounts nicely to the moveable base. dont try to do anything that involves drilling or milling on something thats not clamped down i did and the damn thing got caught and spun the whole part around wounding me pretty good. just giving you a heads up

also ALWAYS USE SAFTEY GLASSES a missing finger or a broken anything isnt as bad as loosing an eye so alway take the precaution cause you never know when the **** is going to hit the fan

 

[ravenrob]

.... dont try to do anything that involves drilling or milling on something thats not clamped down i did and the damn thing got caught and spun the whole part around wounding me pretty good. just giving you a heads up

You and I must have matching scars. Did the same thing several years ago and wound up with 12 stitches across what was left of my thumb. Voice of experience..... ALWAYS put safety first! Think about what could happen before doing anything!

 

[1919Semi-Owner]

Thanks for all the great information and especially for the safety tips.