Are you thinking of turning your drill press into a milling machine? Don’t worry, you can do this, and we will exhibit you the path. Though the drill holes and milling machine are two different electronic tools, you can turn the drill press into a milling machine. Honestly, that’s pretty sick and worked well.
As the milling machine is technically heavy and precise, it can work without any trouble. The drill press only gets chuck accompanied with jacobs taper. However, the milling machine is way more potent than that. It can even allow tools built for the boring bar, braze cutter machine or instrument container.
Hope we will be able to discuss Can a drill press be used as a mill? Its pros and cons and how to turn the drill press into a milling machine. Apart from that, we also try to know the basics of drill press vs. milling machine, Which tool worked better here, and how to use that.
What is a Drill Press?
What is a drill press? Well, you know this machine very well, we believe. The drill press is widely known as a drilling machine everywhere. People use this to create holes in solid walls, heavy substances, or hard surfaces. The drill machine contains a very powerful motor that is connected to a sharp screw on top. That screw helps to create holes in the wall or any other surface very smoothly.
However, there are fundamental differences between a drill press and a milling machine regarding price, speed, and cutting tools. We will talk about that later.
What is a Milling machine?
A milling machine is a tool used to pull out metal from a worksheet with the help of a rotating cutter called a milling skewer/cutter. It is assembled perfectly on an irregular surface or place opposite the revolving milling skewer.
You can see several different milling machines in the market, including horizontal, vertical, ram-type, knee type, and many others. Those are used for various purposes.
Fundamental difference: Drill press vs. Milling machine
Knowing the fundamental difference will give you an overview of what a drill or milling can do and don’ts. Then you can easily make milling in a drill press decision.
Size and heaviness
The milling machine is comparatively heavy and built with a complex function, whereas the drill press is smaller and has a normal function. The drill press is way too light, but the milling machine is heavier.
Perfection
The milling machine is very accessible, and it can move very precisely. But the drill is a one-way order machine.
Revolving speed
Revolutions per minute are the meaning of RPM. RPM is an important thing for both the machine drill and milling. High RPM could be a big issue for drill presses, whereas MIlling can run high and low RPM.
For dilling press
The normal speed is something like 85 surfaces per minute in 100 Brinell hardness material. If you add 60 more Brinell hardness, the power will decrease by 600 surfaces per foot per hour. When the drilling holes are very high, precisely 5 drill diameter, the speed rates will be decreased by 50 to 60%.
For milling machine
Normally the current machine has the speed of 70000 to 90000 RPM, which indicates an excellent goal-achieving strength. This also indicates the ability to touch HSM or high-speed machining.
Workability
People use the milling machine to cut regular smooth areas or places. Although this machine can cut horizontal areas, it is more compatible with flat areas. A drill is used as a created hole in different sizes. We use it on hard surfaces, but you can use it regularly to make a hole.
Difference Overview
| Specification | Drill Press | Milling Machine |
| Axes Rotation | Not so great (Up and down) | Moves all three directions (X, Y, and Z) |
| Weight and size | Floor Drills-(heavy and oversized and Benchtop Drills- (Lighter and Small) | Heavy and Large and |
| Accuracy | Not so accurate | Precise |
| Usage | Only Drilling | Bore, counterbore, drilling |
What are the Similarities?
When you turn a drill press into a milling machine, the first thing that comes to mind is, ‘what are the similarities they have?’ To be precise, there are not many similarities between these two. Looking at the features, using performance and cutting abilities are different.
However, both weigh similar. Besides, the drilling function looks the same for both the drill press and milling machine. That’s what we are looking for. You can complete your drilling task using any of this.
How to Convert a Drill Press to a Milling Machine?
The mechanism of both the machines is quite similar and very versatile. The milling head is flexible, and you can rotate up and down; that’s a good advantage when using a drill press as a mill machine.
It’s true that turning the drill press as a milling machine is a tough job, but still, there is a way of doing this. Let’s check out the major steps of this conversion.
Step 1: In the first place, we need to fix the edge propel problem, and that’s why we need the angular bearing. specifically two-row bearing, we need to exchange that with the down bearing, which really should be axle bearing
Step 2: At this point, you need a suitable collet. The length should be 31.5 mm (1.24″), and the Clamping Range should be 1—13 mm (0.039—0.512″). ER22 collet can be the same size as this. I also need a CNC taper or machine taper. And finally, to hold on to the taper, a shield pin is needed.
Step 3: The drill press table or stand is not compatible with mill machine work. If your drill table is well function and has built-in custom control, it won’t be a big issue here. Honestly, the long table might create a problem. You can decrease the table if it’s needed. You can get back on the major head part by implementing a lathe cross slide gib.
Step 4: Now, you must focus on the X-Y direction scale to make it mill machine-friendly. So set up an X Y table on the surface. It would be best if you find an 8×16 XY table. But in the market, you can find different sizes and height tables.
Make sure your axle is not stuck or locking the system. Try to use a middle point to tighten the screw if it’s possible.
Which tool worked better?
Milling machines are the clear solution when we need a very particular solution of pulling out a mill of worksheets. Turning the drill press into a milling machine will not give us any smooth service like a real mill machine.
We suggest you go for a real mill machine if you have enough budget for that. But considering service, if your budget is low, you can make your drill machine into a mill machine. Drill press as a milling machine is not the best solution here.
Final verdict
Yes, you can use a drill press as a mill. These machines are made for this kind of task. However, you’ll always come short with the flexibility the mill machine can give you. You have already shown the difference.
Remember, don’t try to use them as an Arbor press. Otherwise, you’ll make a massive blunder with your bearings.
Leave a Reply