- Joined
- Oct 18, 2016
- Messages
- 2,872
So, my DP is a Taiwanese Jet (17") that I bought new about 26-27 years ago. I've repowered it, installed a quality chuck,
and done some work to align and balance the pulleys. For most of what I do with it, it's been satisfactory, but if I need to drill a reasonably accurate hole, It almost always wanders off. Now, before you guys tell me there's only so much I can expect from a DP, I know this. I don't expect milling machine accuracy by any means. But I'd like to do better, and before you ask for numbers, I don't have any for you. I've tried everything I can think of. I measure, layout and center punch carefully, raise the table as high as I can manage, make sure everything is locked down, clamp the work to the table or in a vise, use screw machine drills to minimize deflection,
etc.
I just came back from the shop where I put an indicator on the table, extended the spindle to what I figure is a typical drilling position
and push/pulled on the chuck side to side. I got about .025 of play, so I'm thinking bearings could at least be part of my problem.
They aren't noisy or rough, but they are 25+ years old and probably not the best bearings to start with. Ideas?
and done some work to align and balance the pulleys. For most of what I do with it, it's been satisfactory, but if I need to drill a reasonably accurate hole, It almost always wanders off. Now, before you guys tell me there's only so much I can expect from a DP, I know this. I don't expect milling machine accuracy by any means. But I'd like to do better, and before you ask for numbers, I don't have any for you. I've tried everything I can think of. I measure, layout and center punch carefully, raise the table as high as I can manage, make sure everything is locked down, clamp the work to the table or in a vise, use screw machine drills to minimize deflection,
etc.
I just came back from the shop where I put an indicator on the table, extended the spindle to what I figure is a typical drilling position
and push/pulled on the chuck side to side. I got about .025 of play, so I'm thinking bearings could at least be part of my problem.
They aren't noisy or rough, but they are 25+ years old and probably not the best bearings to start with. Ideas?