Replies

1. 
   JohnWW | May 23, 2007 12:27am | #1

   First thing to check, and don't be offended by this, is the drill press turning in the proper direction?  If they wired the motor wrong it could be turning backwards which would make lots of heat but little progress when drilling.

   Presuming you are using sharp bits, I can't think of anything other than the backwards rotation, that would cause so much trouble.  If the press is rotating correctly get back to me and I'll see if I can help you find a solution.

   John W.

1. 
   craigcha | May 23, 2007 09:19am | #2

   Thanks for the suggestion, John - that sure sounded plausable (although I'm pretty sure that I would have noticed just based on all the holes that I've drilled in my time) - but I just tried it and it's turning in the correct direction (clockwise when looking from above). I have to tell you that this is driving me crazy - I've waited for a long time to spring for the drill press (which I assumed would be simple compared to some of my other tools) and it's turned out to be my most frustrating power tool.

   Any other suggestions?

2. 
   JohnWW | May 24, 2007 10:34pm | #3

   I can't think of any kind of misalignment in a drill press that would cause the problems you are having, so I think your problem is with the bits.

   If a bit is slightly dull, or turning at too high a speed in a drill press, the heat generated will cause the bit to overheat and lose its temper.  Once that happens, the bit gets duller and runs even hotter, further ruining the bit.

   My suggestion would be to get some good quality new bits and to always run them at fairly low speeds, 500 to 700 RPM.  This is how I leave my personal drill press set up.  Also back off the bit regularly to clean out the shavings from the hole, packed shavings will generate a lot of heat.

   John W.

1. 
   craigcha | May 24, 2007 11:01pm | #4

   Thanks for getting back to me, John. However, and I don't want to dispute your thinking, but this has happened using ALL of my drill bits - some of which are brand new, high quality bits. For example, even my brand new set of Forstner bits are causing burning - and also my brand new Makita twist drill bits. Something else must be wrong! Is there ANYTHING else that I should look at?

1. 
   EricT | Jun 06, 2007 08:11pm | #5

   Is it burning evenly around the hole, or just in certain areas?

1. 
   craigcha | Jun 06, 2007 08:23pm | #6

   It's burning evenly. If I did not know better, I'd say the burn profile makes this look like either a dull bit or, as John suggested, turning in the wrong direction. However, I know that neither of those is the case, since they I have tried several new bits. My assumption has been that it's a function of the speed, but I've tried to follow the speed guidline closely (based on type of bit and type of wood) but it does not help.

   As I said early on, I'm completely stumped - I'm an engineer by trade, and have been doing woodworking as a hobby for years, so I don't think I'm stupid.

   thanks,

   -Craig

1. 
   EricT | Jun 06, 2007 08:37pm | #7

   Maybe it is not actually turning at the advertised speed.  I would try adjusting the speed up and down to see if you can get the burning to go away.