Drilling with Shapeoko
Drilling with Shapeoko
Not sure if this belongs here or in general discussion...
I was drilling some holes at work in aluminum with the Bridgeport clone. We have a chuck that looks like a regular drill press chuck, so loading up different bit sizes isn't an issue. I was wondering if loading up something similar in my Dewalt 611 chuck would work? Such as this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004HAA22 ... ref=plSrch
The reason I ask is drill bits with 1/4" or 1/8" shafts to use a regular collet are near impossible to find (precise bits have them but they are expensive and they 160deg point isn't always ideal). My concern is the square edges on that chuck may not be good for my collet. Also, total runout will be higher, but the ability to use stub length drill bits for precise centering work sounds pretty nice. Thoughts?
I was drilling some holes at work in aluminum with the Bridgeport clone. We have a chuck that looks like a regular drill press chuck, so loading up different bit sizes isn't an issue. I was wondering if loading up something similar in my Dewalt 611 chuck would work? Such as this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004HAA22 ... ref=plSrch
The reason I ask is drill bits with 1/4" or 1/8" shafts to use a regular collet are near impossible to find (precise bits have them but they are expensive and they 160deg point isn't always ideal). My concern is the square edges on that chuck may not be good for my collet. Also, total runout will be higher, but the ability to use stub length drill bits for precise centering work sounds pretty nice. Thoughts?
Modified Shapeoko 2: 1500mm fully supported y-axis, 1000 mm 4060 x-axis, ACME Belt Drive Z-axis, Dewalt DNP611, full aluminum t-slot table, 4x NEMA23 180 oz/in stepper motors driven by a G540
Re: Drilling with Shapeoko
I have one of those chucks tht I have had for ~8 years ro so. I bought it for drilling small holes using an inexpensive screw gun. I can tell you that it will most likely not do what you want. It is not the same chuck as a regular drill chuck. This uses the hex post on the back - that is actually threaded with what looks like ~#10-24UNC threads for half of its length - to push a plate up inside that causes the jaws to close on the bit. It has a hard time with holding a bit from slipping while drilling into wood, so I don't think drilling into metal would work well. Also, it likes to work itself loose while being used. My suggestion is to not waste your time on this.
Sorry for the letdown.
EDIT: Maybe this will be better if you have the clearance under the gantry?
Sorry for the letdown.
EDIT: Maybe this will be better if you have the clearance under the gantry?
SO3 #0054
DWP611 - SuperPID
Prusa i3 MkII
SolidWorks 2015
DWP611 - SuperPID
Prusa i3 MkII
SolidWorks 2015
Re: Drilling with Shapeoko
Yeah, something like your link could work. Maybe. Has anyone tried it? How else are folks drilling holes that aren't 1/8" or 1/4" on their Shapeoko?
Modified Shapeoko 2: 1500mm fully supported y-axis, 1000 mm 4060 x-axis, ACME Belt Drive Z-axis, Dewalt DNP611, full aluminum t-slot table, 4x NEMA23 180 oz/in stepper motors driven by a G540
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Re: Drilling with Shapeoko
I just mill most holes.
Once or twice I've used the 1/8" hole as a pilot hole and worked up through a series of index drill sizes in a drill press.
Once or twice I've used the 1/8" hole as a pilot hole and worked up through a series of index drill sizes in a drill press.
Shapeoko 3XL #0006 w/ Carbide Compact Router w/0.125″ and ¼″ Carbide 3D precision collets
Re: Drilling with Shapeoko
I'd love to be able to chuck up some drill bits in my Shapeoko, but the main issue is the spindle speed. 10,000 RPM is still way too fast for most drill sizes.
I'd really like to be able to chuck up a 1/2" Forstner bit but you need to run those around 1300 RPM.
I'd really like to be able to chuck up a 1/2" Forstner bit but you need to run those around 1300 RPM.

Re: Drilling with Shapeoko
Hex shafts are not a good idea to put into a regular collet and spindle speed will most likely be too high for drilling anyways, especially in aluminum.
Just mill the holes with a smaller endmill - this will usually work much better.
Just mill the holes with a smaller endmill - this will usually work much better.
Estlcam CAM and Arduino UNO CNC controller: www.estlcam.com
Re: Drilling with Shapeoko
Yep, I'm aware of the spindle speed issue.
I'm quite sure the 1/4" hex shaft won't be GREAT, but I have the stock collet the Dewalt 611 came with to try. I might give it a whirl.
I'm really not planning on doing a lot of holes. Maybe it makes more sense to mill them, but I don't think so. I think the best plan is to use a spotting bit on the mill (which really wants to turn fast anyway) and then a drill press to walk this up in size.
FYI, I used these tools to drill 60 #21 holes in 3/8" aluminum plate at 2 in/min a few weeks ago, worked out great, had the Dewalt set to 2 on the knob so about 10x as fast as the bit wants to run (2,000 rpm). So certainly not ideal but it worked.
http://precisebits.com/products/carbide ... ts!!!#Tabs
http://precisebits.com/Reference/drillfeedspeed.asp
I'm quite sure the 1/4" hex shaft won't be GREAT, but I have the stock collet the Dewalt 611 came with to try. I might give it a whirl.
I'm really not planning on doing a lot of holes. Maybe it makes more sense to mill them, but I don't think so. I think the best plan is to use a spotting bit on the mill (which really wants to turn fast anyway) and then a drill press to walk this up in size.
FYI, I used these tools to drill 60 #21 holes in 3/8" aluminum plate at 2 in/min a few weeks ago, worked out great, had the Dewalt set to 2 on the knob so about 10x as fast as the bit wants to run (2,000 rpm). So certainly not ideal but it worked.
http://precisebits.com/products/carbide ... ts!!!#Tabs
http://precisebits.com/Reference/drillfeedspeed.asp
Modified Shapeoko 2: 1500mm fully supported y-axis, 1000 mm 4060 x-axis, ACME Belt Drive Z-axis, Dewalt DNP611, full aluminum t-slot table, 4x NEMA23 180 oz/in stepper motors driven by a G540
Re: Drilling with Shapeoko
I would imagine that the biggest problem you would face with this type of drill chuck is the accuracy, specifically the runout once a drill bit is held in it.
The stacking of different work holding methods will always introduce runout and it will be exaggerated by holding multiple items. If the workholding method allows for compensating then you may have a good solution.
The biggest issue (assuming you are using a small drill bit) will be the overall runout + too high speed will tend to want to snap your drill.
I have found that hex shank tooling is great for hand held power tools, but once you start to introduce machine rigidity to the system, it can fail spectacularly.
The stacking of different work holding methods will always introduce runout and it will be exaggerated by holding multiple items. If the workholding method allows for compensating then you may have a good solution.
The biggest issue (assuming you are using a small drill bit) will be the overall runout + too high speed will tend to want to snap your drill.
I have found that hex shank tooling is great for hand held power tools, but once you start to introduce machine rigidity to the system, it can fail spectacularly.
ShapeOko2 #3400 - Chinese 800W AC Spindle - Stiffened X-Axis - TR10 Z-Axis - Inverted Z Motor - Hall Effect Limits - Drag Chains & Custom Brackets
Re: Drilling with Shapeoko
Roger that RobCee. I think reducing spindle speed will be key. All I can say is the runout will be far far better than the craptastic drill presses I used today. My home press is far more accurate, and I think a good idea will be to use a center bit in the Shapeoko and then the drill press after to enlarge the holes.
Curious, which 800watt spindle did you go with? I'm debating between that and a 1.5kw unit, the latter seem a little cheaper at times but in reality the 800watt is plenty unless I'm milling aluminum (rare). Just being able to turn the bits slower and maybe drive a little deeper with the stiffer machine will be a godsend on tooling costs.
Curious, which 800watt spindle did you go with? I'm debating between that and a 1.5kw unit, the latter seem a little cheaper at times but in reality the 800watt is plenty unless I'm milling aluminum (rare). Just being able to turn the bits slower and maybe drive a little deeper with the stiffer machine will be a godsend on tooling costs.
Modified Shapeoko 2: 1500mm fully supported y-axis, 1000 mm 4060 x-axis, ACME Belt Drive Z-axis, Dewalt DNP611, full aluminum t-slot table, 4x NEMA23 180 oz/in stepper motors driven by a G540
Re: Drilling with Shapeoko
I went with an ebay spindle/inverter package so nothing special. The biggest thing to worry about is the weight of the spindle, as that causes you the most problems.
You will need to think about twist around the X axis, deflection in the Z plane and acceleration issues if you use a larger spindle. The spindle I am running weighs 2.4kg (5.3lbs) and I do see some deflection issues.
Here is a link to the info on my spindle.
You will need to think about twist around the X axis, deflection in the Z plane and acceleration issues if you use a larger spindle. The spindle I am running weighs 2.4kg (5.3lbs) and I do see some deflection issues.
Here is a link to the info on my spindle.
ShapeOko2 #3400 - Chinese 800W AC Spindle - Stiffened X-Axis - TR10 Z-Axis - Inverted Z Motor - Hall Effect Limits - Drag Chains & Custom Brackets