North Carolina Woodworker
An Educational Service Of North Carolina Woodworker, Inc.
Discounts on 2010 NCWW Calendar through Nov 30th!!
Javascript DHTML Drop Down Menu Powered by dhtml-menu-builder.com
Go Back   North Carolina Woodworker > Tools, Equipment, and Techniques > Power Tools and Their Use
Javascript DHTML Drop Down Menu Powered by dhtml-menu-builder.com


» Upcoming Events
Fall 2009 Raffle drawing this Friday (11/20): See This Thread For Details
Closed Thread
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 04-01-2007, 10:15 PM   #1
Drill Press Laser
Name: Alan Schaffter
City: Washington
State: NC
County: Beaufort
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,981
Threads: 262

Show Printable Version Email this Page   Quote this post in a PM to Alan in Little Washington  
Alan in Little Washington Alan in Little Washington is offline 04-01-2007, 10:15 PM

I still haven't gotten back in gear to do some woodworking though I did make it up to the shop today and decided to install a drill press laser that I picked up at the Chantilly, VA Woodworking last month. This one is labeled Steel City Tools but it is similar to one or two other brands. Steel city had a good price on them at the show.

The unit is well made. It can be powered by battery or by the included little power adapter. It mounts easily to the column with an included band clamp, but I decided to mount the laser to the underside of the headstock since I routinely rotate my headstock. This way it will always track, even if I do rotate the headstock. Alignment with the special spindle, which is included, is fairly straight forward and the laser intersection is sufficiently precise.






The laser generates two intersecting vertical laser "planes" (vs beams)- the intersection (center point) is always in the center of the bit regardless of the table height.

Views: 217
Old 04-01-2007, 10:50 PM   #2
 
Name: Chuck
City: Rocky Mount
State: NC
County: Nash
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,315
Threads: 115
Avg Visit Freq/Week
= 6.03 over 180 days
Re: Drill Press Laser

That looks pretty cool Alan. How difficult was it to align so it was accurate throughout the range of bit travel?

Chuck
Show Printable Version Email this Page   Quote this post in a PM to cpowell    
Old 04-01-2007, 11:13 PM   #3
 
Name: Alan Schaffter
City: Washington
State: NC
County: Beaufort
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,981
Threads: 262
Avg Visit Freq/Week
= 6.69 over 180 days
Re: Drill Press Laser

Originally Posted by cpowell View Post
That looks pretty cool Alan. How difficult was it to align so it was accurate throughout the range of bit travel?

Chuck
They give you a ceramic spindle with a vertical line scribed on it. Each laser will rotate on two axis and you align one at a time. Took me less than 5 min. I found it easier to tape over one laser while I aligned the other.
Show Printable Version Email this Page   Quote this post in a PM to Alan in Little Washington    
Old 04-02-2007, 01:20 AM   #4
 
Travis's Avatar
 
Name: Travis
City: Hickory
State: NC
County: Catawba
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 262
Threads: 67
Avg Visit Freq/Week
= 0.16 over 180 days
Re: Drill Press Laser

Alan,

How does it work as raise and lower the table? How about when you set the table at an angle. Just curious?
__________________
Travis

"the good thing with me and woodworking .... I have nothing to unlearn"
Show Printable Version Email this Page   Quote this post in a PM to Travis    
Old 04-02-2007, 01:21 AM   #5
jeff...
Guest
 
Name:
City:
State:
County:
Posts: n/a
Re: Drill Press Laser

I see you got yourself some wormy oak there
Show Printable Version Email this Page   Quote this post in a PM to jeff...    
Old 04-02-2007, 10:27 PM   #6
Treasurer
 
Name: Travis
City: Wake Forest
State: NC
County: Wake
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,476
Threads: 184
Avg Visit Freq/Week
= 6.53 over 180 days
Re: Drill Press Laser

When did you go to the Chantilly show? I was up there myself on Friday. Unfortunately, I didn't get to stay but two hours.
Show Printable Version Email this Page   Quote this post in a PM to Travis Porter    
Old 04-02-2007, 11:29 PM   #7
 
Name: Alan Schaffter
City: Washington
State: NC
County: Beaufort
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,981
Threads: 262
Avg Visit Freq/Week
= 6.69 over 180 days
Re: Drill Press Laser

Originally Posted by Travis Porter View Post
When did you go to the Chantilly show? I was up there myself on Friday. Unfortunately, I didn't get to stay but two hours.
I went on Saturday.
Show Printable Version Email this Page   Quote this post in a PM to Alan in Little Washington    
Closed Thread
  North Carolina Woodworker > Tools, Equipment, and Techniques > Power Tools and Their Use

Tags
drill , laser , press

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Drill Press golfdad Power Tools and Their Use 0 01-11-2007 06:32 PM
Need a Drill Press? Matt User Announcements 13 05-02-2006 08:22 AM

Order your 2010 Calendar!


Search Woodcraft.com for All Your Woodworking Needs


Search Woodcraft.com For ALL Your Woodworking Needs!

Carolina Lumber Sourcing
» Stats
Members: 3,663
Threads: 25,101
Posts: 263,716
Top Poster: DaveO (14,701)
Welcome to our newest member, Keith Senderak
» Today's Birthdays
Dick Barnes (74)
Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.0

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:01 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.2
Copyright ©2000 - 2009, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
SEO by vBSEO 3.3.0
Template-Modifications by TMS
Content Copyright © 2005 - 2009 North Carolina Woodworker, Inc.