Results 1 to 10 of 10

Thread: How do you drill a 5 1/2" hole with a 3" drill press?

  1. #1

    How do you drill a 5 1/2" hole with a 3" drill press?

    Made a large tote for a hand plane. It was 5 1/2" long and needed a 1/4" screw hole that went the whole length. My drill press only has about a 3" stroke. I wasnt able to successully drill from each end and meet in the middle. (The word "folly" comes to mind.) So I bought a 6" drill bit, clamped the tote/handle very securely to the press and drilled a hole 3 1/2" deep. Then, I shut off the press and slowly raised the table until the press was back to the start of its 3" stroke. Then I checked that the clamps were still tight, turned the press back on and finished drilling through.

    I couldnt find another safe way to do it. The hole is slighly skewed (comes out the other side
    1/8" from where I intended) but I'll live with it. I probably didnt get it clamped quite as square as I intended.

    Is there a better way to do this?

    Thanks,
    Fred
    "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."

    “If you want to know what a man's like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals.”

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Southwest IA
    Posts
    138
    Start with the drill press being sure the drill press and the work-piece are absolutely plumb and level. Machinists will use very accurate levels to do this at times. Then remove from the drill press and finish with a hand drill using the initial hole as a drill jig for the last part. If you had to do a ton of them you could make a sub fixture to reference key points on the tote and set stops on the table so you could flip the fixture.

  3. #3
    Another option would be to start the hole and drill as far as you can. Then retract the bit and move the work up. Continue drilling. Since a standard 1/4-in.-dia. bit wouldn't be long enough to get through the tote even if you short chuck it, use a long drill bit such as one of these for that. Make sure you clear chips frequently.
    Last edited by Dave Richards; 01-27-2015 at 8:40 AM.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    Mnts.of Va.
    Posts
    615
    Do you have a lathe?

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Midland MI
    Posts
    887
    drill 3 inches, put 3 inch block of square wood underneath, drill the next 3 inches

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    Pleasant Grove, UT
    Posts
    1,503
    Quote Originally Posted by cody michael View Post
    drill 3 inches, put 3 inch block of square wood underneath, drill the next 3 inches
    This sounds like the best option, because you aren't changing the table alignment.
    It came to pass...
    "Curiosity is the ultimate power tool." - Roy Underhill
    The road IS the destination.

  7. #7
    Thanks guys! This helps!
    Fred
    "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."

    “If you want to know what a man's like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals.”

  8. Quote Originally Posted by cody michael View Post
    drill 3 inches, put 3 inch block of square wood underneath, drill the next 3 inches
    HUH? How long is the bit? I don't believe you can drill a hole that is deeper than the bit is long no matter how many blocks you use. What am I missing?

  9. #9
    Quote Originally Posted by Richard Wagner View Post
    HUH? How long is the bit? I don't believe you can drill a hole that is deeper than the bit is long no matter how many blocks you use. What am I missing?
    Good point, Richard. That's why I suggested a long bit and posted a link to a source. Evidently some folks must have a trick you and I don't know yet.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    Bellingham, WA
    Posts
    1,933
    OP already bought a long drill bit. I think people are working from there...
    JR

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •