Bud. I'm aware how milling goes. I've done a few once or twice.... And if you center to that ring, on a table in the center the label will look off center. Because. It is. I reviewed why both options have issues above, and both will always have issues.
That looks fancy! I know many of us have successfully used the lowest price drill press from Harbor Freight. I've milled hundreds of chips with one similar to this:
Honestly, after watching that video, that press does have several other nice features. If it's in your budget, I'd go for it. If you just want minimal functionality at the lowest price, go with the Harbor Freight press. Both will do the job.
It’s hard to tell from the photo, but it looks great for the matte laminate, but I know the textured is thicker. Any way you can get a sample from gear? That would be recommended.
Good call. I’ll reach out to Andrea
Looks like a Harbor Freight drill press. They're great for the money, and can be even better with a small setup. Not sure if you saw this video ealier in the thread, but it has some great pointers on setting up the press and making some changes to reduce wobble, etc:
You're in the right place. Lots of great instructions here. After a little practice, I was doing 40-50 in an hour. But then I needed a break. Takes me a few days to do several racks. YMMV.
Thanks for posting this! Some great tips. I have that exact model, and agree that it's a noisy bugger. HF doesn't sell this particular model any more. Not sure if the Bauer that they sell now is an improvement, or not.
I looks similar, but with some improvements. However, I think the best adjustments mentioned in the video may apply to this new model...raise and align the two belt pulleys (4:14), and tighten the screw and nut on the side for the spindle shaft (7:47).
The shank width is 1/2" on the 2702 and 1/4" on the 2712. I could see if you were drilling tough materials or milling where there is sideways pressure, the 1/2" shank may be better. Since you're drilling soft chips, it shouldn't make any difference. The other dimensions aren't really a factor either, they both will make a shallow 7/8" recess.
Appreciate the reply. I needed some reassurance after already ordering and receiving the 2702 lol
Don't mill chips with inlays, it makes a mess of the chip. Inlay removal with a knife and non-acetone-based nail polish remover makes a cleaner recess.
I used the Target house brand (Up&Up) and it was nicely forgiving...in that it didn't stain the chip colors as some NPR brands can (your chip colors may vary). I made a small cut in the edge of the inlay, lifted an edge, then peeled the inlay off with needle nose pliers. Rarely, no NPR was needed...but most often, it only peeled the laminate layer. I used an eye-dropper to flood the recess with NPR, and waited 30 seconds. Scraping out the recess after that was fairly easy. Granted, these were Paris $1 chips with a vinyl base under the laminate. I've never done paper inlays, but hear they are the worst.
It is definitely “easier” to mill them. But the results will not be perfect. The results met my tolerance for quality however. The accuracy of the depth of the recess and centering will be a result of your effort and execution. I have also attempted to execute the ideal approach of cut and acetone, but this method takes several times more time. I knew I didn’t have the time or the patience for that. So to me, there was only one option. But the racks I milled were all Paulson fantasy chips and lower end Paulson casino chips.
Did it cause any “gumming” up of the bit?
Not really. Sometimes some of the inlay/adhesive may stick a bit and I would stop the drill and easily remove it with my fingers but no “serious gumming up.”
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