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PTWFE - CHAPTER 7, - DRILL PRESS
Before I forget it - here is a direct link to Chapter 7 of PTWFE: http://www.shopsmith.com/academy/drillpress/index.htm It is all about using and setting up the drill press.

What may seem like a very simple setup and simple to use, can be full of hazards and also offers tricks you just can't do with most drill presses. This one, made as part of the Mark V, was designed for use with wood. There are attributes and tricks you can use with this configuration that just can't be duplicated on most machines.

For example, to mention a few -
--There is a 58 inch clearance between the chuck and the floor. This means you can drill a hole in a 4 foot tall object and at the same time have that object clamped to a firm, vertical table.
--The table (and associated rip fence if needed) can be adjusted horizontally in very small increments. Especially if you have an adjustable stop collar on a table tube.
--Angle drilling, such as pocket holes can be done easily and accurately. (There were recent discussions on bit drift when making pocket holes on the SS. An excellent solution to this issue is shown in "Figure 7-32")

There is plenty more in this chapter about marking workpieces and things like drilling holes through dowels.

Althought our schedule calls for a featuring of this chapter for this week, PLEASE feel free to go back to any of the other chapters and add your thoughts.

I was looking at the ssug.org forum today and noticed there was some fascinating pdf files under their "document archives" menu and under "misc. shopsmith" that shows copies of some 1956 Shopsmith ShopMags. I had not seen these previously.

The issue #1 (Fall 1956) on page 6 shows some unique applications for a MarkV in the drill press position.

Sorry, I could not figure out how to attach a link to this post for them, but I thought they were worth mentioning here anyway because of the drill press applications. Thanks, John McCrossen

It is kind of hard to view "Figure 7-17" and "Table 7-2". Good thing I have a copy of the book .

johnmccrossen wrote:I was looking at the ssug.org forum today and noticed there was some fascinating pdf files under their "document archives" menu and under "misc. shopsmith" that shows copies of some 1956 Shopsmith ShopMags. I had not seen these previously.

The issue #1 (Fall 1956) on page 6 shows some unique applications for a MarkV in the drill press position.

Sorry, I could not figure out how to attach a link to this post for them, but I thought they were worth mentioning here anyway because of the drill press applications. Thanks, John McCrossen

Here is a link to the ssug page with the magazine listed: http://www.ssug.org/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=23&Itemid=29
Some of those uses are very interesting. Thanks John!

Thanks John and Tim! Those uses for the Drill Press were eye opening. Rather than comment further on them for now - we'll just let other enjoy!!:)

a1gutterman wrote:It is kind of hard to view "Figure 7-17" and "Table 7-2". Good thing I have a copy of the book .

Yeah the table of drill sizes is a little hard to read in the upper right quadrant. However, you can read the fractions with a little effort. This is a very helpful chart. I have a similar one on my wall, just above the work bench.

In that Fall 1956 did everybody else notice the totally blind guy doing lathe turning with a dangling neck tie. Probably wasn't a clip on either...
Maybe there was a reason it was on page 13.
I'm not really superstitious.

Part one:

robinson46176 wrote:In that Fall 1956 did everybody else notice the totally blind guy doing lathe turning with a dangling neck tie. Probably wasn't a clip on either...

Yes, I noticed! My only hope was - he had dressed up for the photographers (encouraged by wife) and posed for the lathe picture. Didn't even bother to roll up his sleeves.
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Part two:

There are two violations of the posted Safety Rules I normally often do when using the drill press. One is not serious at all, in my mind, the other violation is just plain stupid and has left scars. (Only flesh wounds)

The one I consider not serious is a matter of personal preference. This refers to the height of the table. The Safety rule says, "Position the worktable at mid-chest whenever possible." When starting on a session of drilling many holes, I will position the table to its lowest position. This makes it possible to sit on my stool and comfortably do the drilling. On further thought, maybe this is not a violation as the table is then at the level of my solar plexus.

The second violation is maddening, and I have really tried to stop this stupid practice, with limited success. The Safety cautions us to "...Never reach in toward the bit or beneath it to clear away scraps..." I don't even want to think about the numerous times I've put gouges and scratches on the back of my hands from sweeping away dust. Ive never done this with the machine running - thank goodness!

A smallish cheap paint brush (maybe 1 1/2") stuck to a magnet in a easy grabbing location works well to clear chips and dust.
Note: It is really tough to blow dust off of markings while wearing a dust mask. For some reason I keep trying.

Regarding this chapter, I would like to try the metal Spot Polishing using the drill-press one time. I have read all issues of Hemmings Classic Car magazine, cover to cover. One guy had an old Chrysler 300, and using this method on his drill-press he reproduced his own "engine turned" dashboard applique.