Thread: Can milling machine replace a drill press

I am trying to figure out a way to squeeze a milling machine (something like a BM-23A) into my small over crammed workshop.

I have a large full size drill press, do you think I can swap it out for a milling machine?

I probably spend my time 50/50 between woodworking and metalworking.

I would have thought adding a large clamp on wooden drill press table to the milll would be a good compromise?


TIA
Joez

I have the same dilemma and have thought about doing this many times.
Most folks underestimate how much space a milling machine of that size requires so if yoru workshop is already crowded I doubt you will fit in a 23A even if the DP is removed.

The stated dimensions (workshop foot print) are 1500 (deep) x 1700 (wide) x 2200 mm high, plus you need some room around it to manoeuvre.

It terms of speeds etc there's plenty of power and RPMs for basic WW.
When WW I would not want to get sawdust over everything as it will stick like glue to oiled surfaces so you would need to place a cover over the entire table.
You would need good dust extraction at source to stop the rest of the mill being coated in a layer of fine dust
I would suggest a large shallow tray be attached to the mill table to catch as many curlies as possible from falling onto the floor and being minced into fine dust.
If some bolt holes are drilling in the tray then you could still use the mill table T-sots to clamp a vice to.

The main issue for WW for me is the throat height on most smaller mills are much less than my floor standing DP. Its about the same a bench DP but less if you work on the base of a DP. Adding a WW chuck and vice reduces that height and adding a decent vice to the table would reduce that even further,

When I got my RF45 mill, I initially thought I could dispense with my floor mounted drill press. I'm glad I retained the drill press as it it so much easier to use for 'run of the mill' drilling operations than the mill.
I usually only use the mill for precision drilling operations where it is easy to accurately position and space holes and drill to an exact depth, using the digital readout on the quill. My mill does not have an adjustable depth stop on the quill which is another reason to use the drill press for repetitive drilling to a set depth. My vote would be to try to find the space to retain your drill press if at all possible.
Alan.

Originally Posted by joez

I probably spend my time 50/50 between woodworking and metalworking.

Me too. I’m also compromised for floor space. In the end I decided I needed a pedestal drill more than I needed a mill.

Many steel fabrication business have a mill in lieu of a drill press. The problem with that of course is damage done to the table bt employees who don't give a rats, clearly, that won't be your problem in your case though. Pedestal drills are handy because of their height I have used mine a few times to drill items three foot or longer, that woudn't be possible on a mill. If you can't see a need for that then a mill may be a good substitute.

The dust problem is easy to fix, when my wife buys new sheets she gives me the old ones, I drape them over my machines. Seems to work well. Although it does make the shop look like a Chinese laundry.

Joez, we all have the same problem, no shed is ever big enough. I have a BM22A and believe me you will get real tired quickly of winding the table up and down, because you never do the same drilling job twice. I also tried to get rid of my two drill presses,, but I kept both of them, one for wood and the other for metals. I just mounted them on bases with heavy duty cast iron castors and move them around as required.
Rgds,
Crocy.

Since I got my mill, I hardly use my floor model drill press. Mostly I use it for things that are too tall fit in the mill (18" knee range). As for cranking the mill table up and down, I bought a castellated adapter so I can use my battery drill to move the table. That was $30 vs ~$400 for an installed knee drive.

Ken

Thanks Everyone, sounds like its doable but not ideal. MIght have to think of another way to squeeze in some new toys....

Also depends on your milli requirements: I have a vertical slide for my lathe and also use my pedestal drill for aluminium/plastic jobs using a cheap two way vice. The vertical slide is used for heavier jobs. Very limiting but has served me well so far.

Mills can dill long items if the part is sat on the floor and a jig clamps the part to be drilled to the table I drilled several 1.2 m long shafts in each end that way untilI purchased the HBM.

Michael