drilling profile rails

[reefy86]

Do all pillar drills hang enough to lean over the frame to drill? Once I've done the epoxy resin I will need to drill the holes for the profile rails so I'm looking into buying a decent pillar drill, I'm pretty heavy handed so I don't want to use a hand drill.

Any suggestions?

Ash\mu

[cropwell]

I don't quite know what you are looking for, but my best guess is a radial drill. I have got one in Nottingham (Alfreton Road). If it is the right tool for the job. It is similar to this https://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgu...act=mrc&uact=8 PM me if you think this is any use.

[reefy86]

Thanks but what i mean is when looking at various drill presses you put you material under it and then drill but i cant be sticking the whole frame under it lol, once ive leveled the frame and the epoxy resin has cured i will then be marking the holes out for the hiwin rails and then carefully drill and tap, ive not seen how people actually do it with drill press but i really dont feel comfortable using a hand drill.

[cropwell]

You could try a magnetic clamp drill, or some sort of clamp-on stand with a hand drill.

[routercnc]

Hi Reefy,

I've just finished drilling and tapping my rail mounting holes in the frame, but this is BEFORE the frame is assembled and the epoxy added.

My plan is that when everything is assembled in place, moat made, etc I will put long bolts into the holes covered in grease. After the pour, when things are nearly set I'll take them out.

The epoxy will not stick to them and the threads will be clear. I can then lay the rails down and bolt them in place. This method means you can drill the frame on a normal pillar drill.



I used my cnc machine to spot drill mark the holes:


But as yours is not ready yet you can use transfer punches to mark through the rail and into the frame (with the rail clamped in the right place and aligned parallel to the other one). Select the right diameter transfer punch which just about fits in the hole in the rail, and tap with a hammer. The pointed tip will create a centre mark on the frame below:

[Clive S]

My plan is that when everything is assembled in place, moat made, etc I will put long bolts into the holes covered in grease. After the pour, when things are nearly set I'll take them out.

Don't forget you will get the epoxy rising around the bolts like the sides of the moat will so will have to be shaved off .