New to me - a better way to drill.

[NC Scroller]

I know many of us have used mini chuck inserts in our drill presses to allow us to use numbered drill bits. That is because most drill press chucks are not designed to go small enough for numbered bits. The mini chuck can be a pain to align in the drill press chuck so you get no wobble. And of course once you get it just perfect you end up needing the drill press for a larger bit so out goes the mini chuck and the next time you use a numbered bit you start all over.

Anyway I just replaced the chuck on my big drill press with a Jacobs 41AB chuck. It is a 0"-3/8" chuck and it works perfectly right out of the box. No wobble and it hold my #68 bit just great. It came with the MT2 shaft already attached. All I had to do is remove the old chuck and push in the 41AB. Took less then a minute. Best $40 I have spent in a long time.  They can be had for less if you use your existing MT2 shaft but then it is harder to switch.

I got my chuck through Ebay but they are available through numerous sellers and even Amazon.

[LarryEA]

Another good tip. Pleased it solved a problem....

[amazingkevin]

I know many of us have used mini chuck inserts in our drill presses to allow us to use numbered drill bits. That is because most drill press chucks are not designed to go small enough for numbered bits. The mini chuck can be a pain to align in the drill press chuck so you get no wobble. And of course once you get it just perfect you end up needing the drill press for a larger bit so out goes the mini chuck and the next time you use a numbered bit you start all over.

 

Anyway I just replaced the chuck on my big drill press with a Jacobs 41AB chuck. It is a 0"-3/8" chuck and it works perfectly right out of the box. No wobble and it hold my #68 bit just great. It came with the MT2 shaft already attached. All I had to do is remove the old chuck and push in the 41AB. Took less then a minute. Best $40 I have spent in a long time.  They can be had for less if you use your existing MT2 shaft but then it is harder to switch.

 

I got my chuck through Ebay but they are available through numerous sellers and even Amazon.

I got two chucks from the big box store .Thats how much i liked them ,holds any bit!

[Lucky2]

I never had this problem, my drill press chuck will hold the small bits. I think that it would be easier to change just the chuck, rather than changing the chuck and spindle. I know how to change the chuck on the dp, but, how do you go about changing the spindle on the dp?

Len

[NC Scroller]

I never had this problem, my drill press chuck will hold the small bits. I think that it would be easier to change just the chuck, rather than changing the chuck and spindle. I know how to change the chuck on the dp, but, how do you go about changing the spindle on the dp?Len

The Chuck is pressed onto the spindle and can be press or tapped out.

[Sparkey]

I have a drill press with a chuck small enough to hold a #54 bit but I have trouble drilling the correct spot. I seem to have better luck using a Dremmel tool to drill with.

[Jim Finn]

I have a drill press but 1/16" blades break too easily using it.  I now use a Black and Decker three speed rotary tool (at slowest speed)mounted in a Dremel type drill press accessory.  I have mine tilted to about 6.6° to make starting holes for my double bevel inlaying.  Works great!

Edited February 11, 2016 by Jim Finn

[NC Scroller]

I have a drill press but 1/16" blades break too easily using it.  I now use a Black and Decker three speed rotary tool (at slowest speed)mounted in a Dremel drill press accessory.  I have mine tilted to about 6.6° to make starting holes for my double bevel inlaying.  Works great!Dremel tool jig.jpg

Jim I had that happen to me too. This is what I found. Many times, we are breaking tiny bits because we tend to push the bit through the wood instead of letting it drill it's way through. I found slowing my drilling rate down (not the speed the drill turns) and only letting the bit extend out of the chuck about a 1/16th" beyond the wood thickness really made a difference.  Also make sure your holding the wood flat on the table and do not let it "pull up" or shift when backing the bit out.