- Joined
- Jul 29, 2014
- Messages
- 2,737
I recently got a Rockwell EFI drill press, that is really a beast. I adapted a Bridgeport X-axis power feed for a table lift, and acquired a Heinrich quick acting vise that is very smooth and effective. But the drill press is quite powerful with a wide speed range, and I also got a bunch of large taper drills, so I've been punching 1" and bigger holes in 1" plate for fun. I see that in these cases the torque transmitted to the vise requires the vise to be held down, and while the table has T-slots the same size as the Bridgeport table, my vise bolt bosses don't really match the table spacing, nor really, could they. So I added a ground stainless rod out of an old printer, bolted it to the vise, and made a lock in the style of something I saw on Blondiehacks. For optimal positioning, the lock pivot point really wants to be centered off the table, and fortunately the Rockwell EFI has some vertical T-slots on one edge of the table...so easy to add an extension to hold the lock.
I have been impressed how well this works, and I can position the vise under the spindle anywhere within the approximately 6" x 6" envelope of the vise, and of course lots of room for parts hanging outside the vise outline. It's so quick, just put the part in the vise, slide the movable jaw snug, throw the vise lock handle to lock the part in, slide the vise over the table to line up the drill spot under the spindle, tighten the lock bolt (This needs to be a handle...I'll get to that...soon...maybe) and the vise is locked in place tightly. Of course the movable jaw is still free to open and shut without perturbing the vise position, so for repeated parts, no problem.
I have a spare X-Axis power feed that I'm thinking about adding to the entire movable head, the same way the table adjusts...but that seems a bit like wretched excess. But it would be the first on the block, for sure.
I have been impressed how well this works, and I can position the vise under the spindle anywhere within the approximately 6" x 6" envelope of the vise, and of course lots of room for parts hanging outside the vise outline. It's so quick, just put the part in the vise, slide the movable jaw snug, throw the vise lock handle to lock the part in, slide the vise over the table to line up the drill spot under the spindle, tighten the lock bolt (This needs to be a handle...I'll get to that...soon...maybe) and the vise is locked in place tightly. Of course the movable jaw is still free to open and shut without perturbing the vise position, so for repeated parts, no problem.
I have a spare X-Axis power feed that I'm thinking about adding to the entire movable head, the same way the table adjusts...but that seems a bit like wretched excess. But it would be the first on the block, for sure.