Drill Press versus Mini-Mill

[SouthernChap]

I'll 2nd these machines over a mini-mill. You will lose Z space, check that out before you jump.

Just to clarify, you're saying that, with an RF 30/31 type mill, the OP will lose Z space compared with a floor standing drill press, yeah?

Compared to a mini mill, the RF 30/31 type mills tend to have more capacity in the Z axis (in the case of the smaller RF 25 types, the Z space is about the same as a mini mill).

 

[RJSakowski]

With proper forethought, the head on an RF30 clone can be rotated 180º and the mill can then drill a part over four ft. long. Were I to opt for this, I would make a platform that could be positioned at multiple heights and use the collumn travel for fine adjust. Truth be known, I have only had one or two occasions in forty years where I needed to drill holes in a part that couldn't fit the workspace. A bigger limitation is the swing. The RF30 is limited to 16", 14" for longer parts and potentially even less when the head is swung to the rear.

 

[Larry$]

With proper forethought, the head on an RF30 clone can be rotated 180º and the mill can then drill a part over four ft. long. Were I to opt for this, I would make a platform that could be positioned at multiple heights and use the collumn travel for fine adjust.

Making it almost a floor standing mill, like a drill press. Put an X-Y table on a platform that is infinitely adjustable. I can see this idea turning into a sort of long Z travel knee RF-30 -xx. Add a rotary or Y shift to the platform and build a space craft.

 

[epanzella]

I have a HF RF30 knock off. I really like the machine and only use my drill press now when there's a setup in the mill that I don't want to disturb.

 

[jwmay]

I wouldn’t replace a good drill press with a mini mill.
When I had a round column/rf30 type mill, I used my drill press way more often than the mill. The RF30 platform is really a fiddly sort of machine I think. Three screws to loosen to change belt speeds, two bolts to loosen to raise or lower the head, two clamps to unclip to open the belt guard…the heads too low so now you gotta raise the head to open the cover to loosen the screws to change the speed…now tighten the screws, close the lid, lower the head, tighten the head clamps.

Or flip one lever, and crank the drill press table up. Flip one thumbscrew, and change the belt speed.

If you want to mill and drill with no time wasted, replace the drill press with a rockwell or Clausing knee mill. They’re about 700 pounds, and will do all the duty with minimal fiddle.

 

[matthewsx]

I have a small knee mill and still use my drill press all the time.

Yes I can drill holes with my mill, and my lathe, but a good floor standing drill press is integral to my shop.

You will never have enough room for machines in this hobby in my experience. Each one is better suited for particular work and you’ll probably miss it if you give it up. Get creative with your shop layout and you’ll be surprised what can fit in a small space.

John

 

[coolidge]

I'm getting ready to sell my 20" Powermatic drill press. Zero use since I got the mill.

 

[epanzella]

I wouldn’t replace a good drill press with a mini mill.
When I had a round column/rf30 type mill, I used my drill press way more often than the mill. The RF30 platform is really a fiddly sort of machine I think. Three screws to loosen to change belt speeds, two bolts to loosen to raise or lower the head, two clamps to unclip to open the belt guard…the heads too low so now you gotta raise the head to open the cover to loosen the screws to change the speed…now tighten the screws, close the lid, lower the head, tighten the head clamps.

Or flip one lever, and crank the drill press table up. Flip one thumbscrew, and change the belt speed.

If you want to mill and drill with no time wasted, replace the drill press with a rockwell or Clausing knee mill. They’re about 700 pounds, and will do all the duty with minimal fiddle.

Yes the RF30 clone comes with some baggage but it's not insurmountable. I completely removed the belt guard as it was a total PIA. I used an inch and a half round bar with a ball bearing collar to take care of keeping the head indexed, and I made a worm drive gearbox to lift the head. I's not a knee mill but it has served me well. I neither have the funds or the room for a knee mill. This one cost me $960 at HF with a coupon.

 

[matthewsx]

I'm getting ready to sell my 20" Powermatic drill press. Zero use since I got the mill.

That’s quite the drill press, it should out drill most mini mills and maybe even a RF30.
I guess everyone operates differently in their shop, I wouldn’t part with a Powermatic if I had one.

John

 

[SouthernChap]

If you want to mill and drill with no time wasted, replace the drill press with a rockwell or Clausing knee mill. They’re about 700 pounds, and will do all the duty with minimal fiddle.

The OP doesn't explicitly exclude a knee mill, which of course would be much better, but I get the impression space is limited (and possibly budget) so it's possible that something like this:



might not work for them.

Regarding the hassles you mention:

Changing speeds on any mill that uses belts to select speed is always going to be more of a hassle, but can be avoided by using a 3PH motor with a VFD which the OP already has on their drill press and probably could be moved over to an RF 30/31 if they bought one.

A bit of planning of order of operations using the longest tool technique avoids most hassles with changing Z axis too.

If they can afford the space and have the budget to get one of the smaller knee mill, then sure, I can't imagine that an RF 30 would be better, but as I said, I get the impression that's not the case here.