Mini drill press needed for...

[greenlight]

...drilling holes in shells for jewelery. Any reccomendations? I need something small enough to put away easily. It's for occasional use only, so I don't need anything outrageous. I don't have a dremel, so that may be my best choice. Anyone use their drill press attachment? I was hoping for something with a spring-loaded lever, not just a drill suspended by two rods that you have to lift each time.

 

[robk]

I have a Cameron Engineering Micro drill press, it's my second one. This one is over twenty years old and still going strong. I used it in a lab I owned to drill plastic lenses for rimless mounting. Now that the lab is closed, it's in my shop drilling printed circuit boards, plastic boxes, etc. Do a search for Cameron, you may come up with something - they seem to have moved to CNC devices, but still offer a manual drill press for under $400 or so. It's the ultimate in precision, offers variable speed, the bearings last forever if kept lubricated. The only thing I had to replace in 20 years is the chuck - it wore out from changing bits about a million times!
Rob

 

[gadget_lover]

The dremel that I've used has a bit of slop (flex). I'd not recommend it if precision is required. Other than that, it's useful for nice vertical holes.

Daniel

 

[gadget_lover]

There is a dremel type tool made by a company named pazi.... I found they were over 600 for a miniature drill press.

Micromark has a mini drill press that may be just what you are looking for. It's about $160.

http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=Product&ID=81631


I stumbled across this whai loooking for a micro mill.

Daniel