Will this work?

[t28c34]

Will it work, taking a jacobs chuck and making a threaded 1/2" shaft for it to be able to chuck up to my spindle to use as a drill head?

[gerryv]

The spindle spins many times too fast. These chucks are not balanced nearly well enough to do that. The highest you're likely to spin a drill chuck is maybe 3,000 rpm with a small bit; lower for larger diameters. Your spindle runs up to 18,000 likely.

My guess is that it would quickly ruin the bearings or worse, tear the spindle apart before you could shut down. I'd not want to be standing anywhere in the area without a concrete wall between me and the machine.

[t28c34]

Thats kind of the same thought i had. Not sure how slow i can slow down my spindle.

[Simops]

Thats kind of the same thought i had. Not sure how slow i can slow down my spindle.

My spindle won't go below 6000

Ciao

[Brian Harnett]

It would be easy just to make a mount to attach to the z axes for a drill I am pretty sure the bearings in a spindle are not designed for constant vertical loading.

[t28c34]

Yea I didn't think of the vertical load on the bearings, any ideas for a drill mount for a 05 PRT Alpha?

[gundog]

They make collet chucks designed for high speed machining but that won't help your bearings with the radial load.

Mike

[scottp55]

Terry, What size holes, how deep? Can't you profile or pocket toolpath and spiral an appropriate bit in?

[t28c34]

The the 1/4" and 1/8" holes are no problem with the spindle. But now they want a .109" (7/64") holes, 1/4" deep. Thats not a hole lot of load on the spindle i would think. I bought a cheap elecric drill today, i dont think it will fit in the carraige on my bot. I would have to midify the handle of the drill. I dont really want to go with a air drill.

[Brian Harnett]

For something that small you can machine your own collet or have a shop with a lathe do it I use brass or aluminum though preferably brass for my custom collets.

I don't have a picture of one of my collets but you can get an idea from these bit extenders.

The collet would have a slot cut down one side for compression.