Press Drill Quill tube in steel or aluminium?

[Steve WanParticipant @stevewan33894]

Hi guys

 

Another story to share here. Last week, I bought another China-made bench press drill for spares. This brand is the same with my 6yrs old press drill. I found it so reliable that I got another. To my surprise, after I had taken the machine apart, the quill tube was made of aluminium instead of steel.

 

I was so dismay in the begining but later consider a blessing as I could easily make another once the quill worn out.

 

Wonder is this a good move.

 

Steve

[Steve WanParticipant @stevewan33894]

Press Drill Quill tube in steel or aluminium?

[adyParticipant @ady]

I repaired my backgear with T6 aluminium a while back and have been waiting for it to break/wear out ever since.

One of the jobs I did was a very big milling job, non-stop working for many hours which I felt may have fried the circuits on a VFD if I’d taken that route.

At the moment it runs my crazy shaping machine on a lathe contraption which is a non-stop high stress/low stress event and still seems to be fine.

 

 

No problems at all so far.

Modern aluminium seems to be easily machined tough stuff, I suppose this is why so many components in the motor industry use it.

 

Can you point us at a web picture/site for your drill press please.

Edited By ady on 02/11/2011 11:21:24

[Gone AwayParticipant @goneaway]

Posted by Steve Wan on 02/11/2011 10:38:42:

I was so dismay in the begining but later consider a blessing as I could easily make another once the quill worn out.

Er … but …. if it was made of steel, perhaps it (essentially) wouldn’t wear out at all.

 

Sort of reminds me of the story I heard about someone who ran all his plumbing up the outside of his house so they were easily accessible when they froze up in the Winter.

[Gone AwayParticipant @goneaway]

Posted by Sid Herbage on 03/11/2011 01:09:36:

Posted by Steve Wan on 02/11/2011 10:38:42:

I was so dismay in the begining but later consider a blessing as I could easily make another once the quill worn out.

Er … but …. if it was made of steel, perhaps it (essentially) wouldn’t wear out at all.

 

Sort of reminds me of the story I heard about someone who ran all his plumbing pipes up the outside of his house so they were easily accessible when they froze up in the Winter.

[Steve WanParticipant @stevewan33894]

Hi Ady and Sid

 

Thanks for the note! I’m pleased that your comment is very positive. Yes! I will put the aluminium quill to use, testing its endurance….my used steel quill is being put aside.

 

If this is successful, will make a few more from aluminium rod, as you mentioned easy to machine especially I’m using micro lathe like Sherline. The good point is that the bore hole will not wear that fast using aluminium quill…instead of steel.

 

Here’s the photo:

Welcomes anymore feedback

Steve

[Author]

Posts