Using drill press for sanding

[Robert1998]

Hello.

I have read that it is not good to use drill press as a milling machine because it is not well prepared to the side loads. But, Can I put a piece in the chuck to take advantadge of the rotation to sand it? My concerns is about if I do that, I were apliying side forces, but I´m not sure if they are the same or as strong as the forces implied in milling.

Thank you

Best regards

 

[Pilgrim22]

I think you will be fine within reason. Just mind your fingers!

Don't wear gloves either

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

Hello.

I have read that it is not good to use drill press as a milling machine because it is not well prepared to the side loads. But, Can I put a piece in the chuck to take advantadge of the rotation to sand it? My concerns is about if I do that, I were apliying side forces, but I´m not sure if they are the same or as strong as the forces implied in milling.

Thank you

Best regards

Cant see an issue. Just be mindful of the side loads.

I have turned one of my drills into a Spindle sander in the past

 

[Kram]

@doubleboost has a good video lathe sanding safely, think this was it,

 

[W.olly]

I have done it many a time with a small.drum sander fitting. Had a small cheapo bench drill I did it with and had it for years with no ill affect.

 

[My Old Landy]

I use one of these from Axminster. I have done for years. As long as you don't go mad, just let the abrasive do the work!

 

[James1979]

I use one of these from Axminster. I have done for years. As long as you don't go mad, just let the abrasive do the work!
View attachment 296601

My dad did something similar but he had a piece of ply with the correct size hole in it on the drill table. Didn’t eliminate side load but helped if you pushed a bit hard.

 

[graffian]

Sometimes I finished the edges of the aluminum parts I made in the drill. Things
like engine plates, I would file the edges, but some times just couldnt get and keep it square.
I used whatever did the job, a bit of metal with a strip of emery taped to it works.
I did try and conteract side force some times; I wound the table up so my abrasive
holder was pressed against the table, part of the holder in a hole in table.

 

[Robert1998]

Thanks for your answers.

But reading your answers I realize that there are 2 metods. Using a rotary sanding tool in the chuck, or putting the part to be sanded in the chuck. I mean the 2nd one. If I put for example a bar of steel and I use emery paper as @doubleboost did in the video, I´m putting a side load in the spindle. That kind of side load is safe?

 

[Kram]

Should be ok if your careful with how much load your putting on it.

What you need is a lathe

 

[W.olly]

Thanks for your answers.

But reading your answers I realize that there are 2 metods. Using a rotary sanding tool in the chuck, or putting the part to be sanded in the chuck. I mean the 2nd one. If I put for example a bar of steel and I use emery paper as @doubleboost did in the video, I´m putting a side load in the spindle. That kind of side load is safe?

All.same either way aa your still using same pressure.

 

[AndersK]

There are two things to consider.
If it's not a big industrial grade drill torque is poor for sanding bigger pieces.

If it's a regular MT2 without drawbar it will fall out if you load it too much. Put some cushioning material on the bed.

This is an oak piece I sanded as you want to do. About 120mm diameter and 30 thick if I recall correct.

 

[W.olly]

Thinking more into the way yo want to sand with a part in the drill then if you wrap the sand paper around the job then there will be little if no side pressure at all.

 

[pedrobedro]

I use one of these from Axminster. I have done for years. As long as you don't go mad, just let the abrasive do the work!
View attachment 296601

I use one of those sets in the bench drill for shaping handles, coupled with the B&D power file you can do just about anything.

 

[Robert1998]

Thanks for your answers.

 

[Munkul]

There's an old boxford pedastal drill in our workshop that gets used more as a power wire brush than an actual drill... it's only had one set of replacement spindle bearings in the last 20+ years

 

[Robert1998]

There's an old boxford pedastal drill in our workshop that gets used more as a power wire brush than an actual drill... it's only had one set of replacement spindle bearings in the last 20+ years

Thanks for your answer. Yes, with all your advice I realize that the side load of sanding is much less than the milling, so it is safe. Nevertheless, when I can, I will do in the lathe.