Mini-Drill Press

My first pass at this did not work, need to try again.

Cradle

Should be taller, small hole at the bottom to accommodate the head of the tool then a clamp that locks the tail down. This will keep the tool from moving.

Conveyor

I think the way to build this is as a sort of box with ends that stick out, kind of like an H with two middle parts. Those sticking out bits will be the guide. Should be sanded smooth and waxed.

Guides

The guide box should actually be built before the conveyor because it's easier to shave down the conveyor. The guides are like a box with the front and bottom removed. I will clip a spring between the top of the guide box and the conveyor to get it to return. I should also cut a slot in the side for a pin to stick out. The handle can push down the pin.

1/19 Update

Good, but painful lesson. I got everything fit up nicely a while back. But it was built from solid wood. Movement caused it to bind to the point of being unusable. Need to build it again. This time I think I'll use 1/2 MDF, it doesn't need to be very strong, but it does need to have a smooth surface and it needs to be mechanically stable.

2/15 Update

Finished the drill using MDF. Some of the tolerances could be tighter.

I coated the MDF in Danish Oil to make it smooth, but it just sucked it up. A better approach was to put a layer of wood glue on, this created a hard surface with low friction after sanding. If I do a rebuild, I will do that.

I don't have a handle, but it doesn't seem to need one, it works well just as a guide.