Drill press mod

**yrralguthrie** · Feb 25, 2015, 12:14 PM

Since I may do a similar mod I'm wondering how did you tram the head and have you addressed the typical runout of these smaller drill presses?

**GBrackett** · Feb 25, 2015, 12:19 PM

Great idea! I'm pasting this one on to my son in law.

**Doc** · Feb 25, 2015, 01:20 PM

Now THAT'S an upgrade

Regards

Doc

**immortalx** · Feb 25, 2015, 01:52 PM

Thanks again guys!

Originally Posted by yrralguthrie

Since I may do a similar mod I'm wondering how did you tram the head and have you addressed the typical runout of these smaller drill presses?

I had to google the term "tram" because English is not my native language

I guess you mean the squareness of the head in relation to the vertical column and to the table?
I drilled 4 oversized holes on the back of the head and thus I was able to adjust the roll by rotating the head. For the pitch I didn't have to do anything, but if you need to, you can add washers to the 2 lower or upper bolts to adjust it. I put a straight long shaft in the chuck to help me do measurements.
I then added the table and adjusted it with the following trick :

I added spacers between the horizontal square tubing and the table until it was square.

The runout is acceptable for the application (it's definitely no milling machine!) and I just have to live with that. It surely is way better than those vertical drill stands!

**yrralguthrie** · Feb 25, 2015, 05:22 PM

Looks like you also replaced the chuck with a keyless chuck. They are a real timesaver. And I better explain that I think! I mean the hand tighten chucks that get tighter the more torque is placed on them by the bit. NOT the keyless chuck found on hand drills.

Thinking about the word tram. I could have said tramming the head or adjust the head to zero, but that's not very clear either. And while English is my first language I don't know another term to use.

I have been known to use a hammer to adjust runout.

Good project.

**stan3leyD** · Feb 26, 2015, 11:25 AM

Very clever solution to your problem. It looks very professional also. The wooden table is much more forgiving on guitar body's than cast iron, well done.

**kbalch** · Feb 27, 2015, 10:11 AM

Hi immortalx,

Very impressive reworking of that drill press! Your Drill Press Modification is the 'Tool of the Week'!

You'll be receiving one of our official HomemadeTools.net T-shirts:

Let me know (via PM) your size, color choice, and mailing address. We'll get the shirt in the mail to you directly.

Congrats!

Ken

**zenme** · Feb 27, 2015, 10:12 AM

Cool! now I know what my next project is

**Workshopshed** · Feb 27, 2015, 11:22 AM

I have a very similar drill but a different brand also have the height problem some times and the table does not fit the drilling vice very well so this kind of mod could be very useful.

**immortalx** · Feb 28, 2015, 04:08 AM

Thanks you guys!
Kbalch I'm honored, thank you for the reward! I already have a homemadetools t-shirt so my wish is to keep it for another forum-ite.
I'm already very happy with the title of "tool of the week"