New bench drill

Bit of advice please. I m looking for a new drilling machine on a small budget. I ve sort of whittled it down to a SIP 01701 16 -12. I

I m only really going going for that as its more than big enough and hopefully wont bend and shake like smaller ones. Also is 350w motor likey to be up to drilling through up to 3 inch mild steel sometimes.

Was looking at older British machines at under £200 but they look like new motors are needed too and usually too far to bother. Thanks Jonathon

3 inches in mild steel is a pretty big ask from a cheap drill

I use my lathe for more serious drilling depths

Jonathon

Not really man enough for such deep holes. In smaller diameters likely to bend the drill and at larger ones it just doesn't have the power or rigidity to do the job without multiple pecks and swarf clearance. Holes deeper than about 2/3 rds of the standard jobber drill flute length tend to be tricky.

Even my Pollard 15AY, which is a full blown industrial machine of pretty massive construction based on a square cast iron pillar, likes coolant for that sort of thing.

Realistically nothing with the standard sort of round column is going to be very happy on that sort of duty. When it comes to affordable machines you have to be realistic about the price / performance ratio.

Could be coaxed into doing a once in a blue moon job if you are careful.

A friend had a splendidly Victorian looking Denbiegh of considerable height driven via multiple flat belts that handled such things with casual aplomb using its self feed.

Clive

Jonathon

The model you state only has 60mm spindle travel so to drill 75mm depth will need the table lifting for the last 15mm.
Doesn't say if the 350W is input or output so as Ady says doubtful if enough power would be available for deep hole drilling, the swarf needs to be evacuated otherwise binding will occur and overcome the available power to keep the drill turning.

Emgee

Up to 3" ms but what diameters? If your'e thinking anything much more than 8 - 10mm dia think it might struggle, and 60mm spindle travle is another key consideration. Emgee's comments re swarf are also very pertinant.

As is often said on this forum, you'll always wish later that you had bought the next model up to the one you purchased of any machine - as the extra rigidity /power will come in handy on a number of jobs you never forsaw coming up against!

regards

Jonathon

Ultimately the issue with all deep hole drilling is getting the swarf out.

Power feed with coolant is always better because the constant force and steady feed keeps the swarf flowing out in a pretty constant chip stream. Manual feed and pecking tends to break the chip so the gremlins can tie it up in a knot round the drill.

You can push a machine significantly beyond what its designed to do but care, concentration, knowing exactly what you are doing and what parts of the envelope you are pushing are essential.

Clive

3 inches is occassional due to odd shaped things. I think finding an older' proper' cast iron one and fitting new motor is the way. Thank you for the help

The internet is as useful as it can be infuriating. After so long looking I ve found Neil s answer to a post ,he has a Chester drill, if its good enough for Neil........,bit over my price range but others similar available.