X-Y Attachment for Dremel

[Garward]

I'm late to this party, and what I don't know about using a milling machine would run to a small book.

 

However, I am thrilled to bits with my new little Proxxon MF70 Miller and for most purposes it has made my wobbly old drill stand redundant. I did buy the separate beautifully engineered vice to fit on the table as can be seen in the photo posted by JP, and I have decided to get the dividing head also.

 

Cheers,

 

B.E.

 

Very useful thing this the dividing head, it significantly expands possibilities of MF 70.

[Martin W]

Wow -- I've just gotten back from a weekend of yard & barn work and found a good bit of information. 

 

For now, it looks like either the Proxxon or the Vanda-lay set up would be the most affordable and sensible options for someone like me who's just finishing up his second and a half model.  Like others, I'll be looking forward to JPett's review.

 

Bob -- Thanks for the pictures of the way you attached the x-y table to your drill press -- and that looks kinda like the Vanda Lay set up, yes?  I mean, it's got a rotary tool in it, but it looks like a drill press.

 

Thanks to everyone for their comments.  Obviously there's a need in modelling for something like either a drill press or a mill.  Precision always matters -- and when I look back over what I cut by hand, well then I pine for either sharper eyes & steadier hands or a good precise machine.

 

Cheers,

 

Martin

[captainbob]

Martin,

 

It's an old Dremel stand I've had for about twenty years.  The X - Y table about five years.

 

Bob

[JPett]

Ahoy MSW

 

My Vanda lay Drill Press Plus and Proxxon XY table have arrived and I am very happy with my purchase.

 

It holds the Dremel securely enough for my milling/drilling needs. I did have to upgrade the Vanda lay product and contacted the owner “Larry” who was very receptive to my suggestion.

 

The Proxxon table was for the money an “excellent” choice. Made in Japan; it is well constructed and looks like it will serve my needs just fine.

 

Now I just need to learn how to use this puppy

[captainbob]

Nice looking setup.

 

Bob

[Martin W]

JPett -- thanks for the photo.  The combination drill press & X-Y looks very intriguing.  What exactly was the upgrade that you had to make? 

 

It's especially nice that the base doesn't take up a whole lot of room -- I've already found out that with just one or two machines, the workspace gets crowded fast.

 

And the next step is a trial run, eh?  Take her through the paces and see what she can do.

 

Cheers (and intrigued)

 

Martin

[JPett]

Ahoy Martin

The upgrade was simple. I replaced a part on the guide for the lever of the drill press operation. Originally, it was a delrin bolt, and it caused a slight kick at two points in the stroke. I replaced it with an acorn nut and now it is silky smooth from end to end. Vanda lay told me they would look into doing this on future models. After I use it for a bit, I will do a review. For the next month or two, I am stuck doing treenails on my build. Kind of painted myself into a corner. Once I get to the deck, I plan to use it more and will do the review afterward. I did run tests milling/drilling both brass and wood and it worked great, I think it will be perfect for my needs. I will post in my log the items I make with it.

[Martin W]

Ahh, milling, ehh?  Did you use particular bits for that?

[JPett]

Ahoy Martin

 

Yes: I bought some Proxxon mills with the XY base. My little set up mills quite well. Evenually I believe I can set it up as a mini drum sander and possibly a small saw to rip/cut wood with some additional attachments.

[Martin W]

Well, I'm eagerly awaiting your trials with the equipment, and your review.  it looks awfully versatile, and if Vanda Lay takes your advice to heart, it could possibly be the solution to the big problem of how a modeller on a budget can stock his or her shipyard.

 

Cheers,

 

Martin

[WackoWolf]

Glad that your happy with your setup. Like others I will be waiting for your review. Keep the pictures coming of what you have done wit this setup.

[captainbob]

JPETT,

 

That's a nice looking vive in the pictures.  Who made that?

 

Bob

Edited May 24, 2013 by Cap'n'Bob

[rtropp]

great thread. I hope you are all still watching it.

 

My objective is to learn more about milling and its application to wood ship modeling. I was looking for an inexpensive solution for learning.  I have the Dremel Work Station, but from what I am reading, the work station isn't really stable enough to give decent results with an x-y added.

 

Bob, I thought I read that you were using that combination.  How does it work for you?  The proxxon x-y looks to be about $100 on Amazon so it is not a cheap solution but if it works with the dremel, it would be cheaper for me than most other solutions. (already have the dremel and the workstation.) Also, how complex is the drilling you had to do to make  it all fit?

 

JPett, I took a look at the Vanda Lay site.  I appreciate the tip because they look to have some pretty well built equipment. But, I saw that they also have the Acra Mill Plus. I wanted to ask that, if the purpose is milling, why get the drill stand ($119 plus cost of proxxon x-y)over the mill stand ($229 with x table, another $40 for Y table accessory)?

 

I appreciate everyone's input to this thread. I had asked questions about dremel for milling and it seems most of my answers were here.

 

Thanks

Richard

Edited August 31, 2013 by rtropp

[captainbob]

 

great thread. I hope you are all still watching it.

 

Bob, I thought I read that you were using that combination.  How does it work for you?  The proxxon x-y looks to be about $100 on Amazon so it is not a cheap solution but if it works with the dremel, it would be cheaper for me than most other solutions. (already have the dremel and the workstation.) Also, how complex is the drilling you had to do to make  it all fit?

 

Thanks

Richard

 

I bought the X-Y when it was much cheaper.  And I’m still trying to figure out what a ship model builder needs with a mill.  I use my set up mainly to drill holes in a straight line or locating the hole more precisely.  As far as mounting hold the X-Y on the base where you want it and mark through the slots on the base.  Drill where it will not damage the table.

 

Bob

[rtropp]

Bob:

 

The reason, for me, is to learn how to use one. I am doing that with other tools for which I have no experience. (White collar background with almost no use of power tools.) 

 

In general:

 

Given my new retirement, I have time to pursue things that look interesting.  Milling looked to be very interesting for making parts, both wood and metal.  I think that its usefulness will depend on whether I start scratch building. (Since I also dabble in fine art, using a mill to turn out parts for sculptures also seems like it would be interesting.) 

 

I tried to find a local course in Georgia, but they all seem to be focused on full size equipment and am not sure that would help.

 

I am still not decided on how to approach this.  I don't want to invest too much for a learning experience.  I'd rather invest cheaply, then upgrade if I found it useful.  So far, my choices look like either, the Vanda Lay mill with my trusty, 35 year old dremel, the Proxxon as a lower end entry, or just follow EBay and see if I can find a used one that has a return policy.

 

Since it is not an urgent need, I will be interested in seeing the Vanda Lay review that is planned.

 

Thanks,

Richard

[captainbob]

Richard,

 

Like you I was white collar and now retired.  And like you I want a small mill.  I only scratch build and  I add brass parts where it will look good.  But I still have not found a need for a mill.  Even the Dremel set up is not used as a mill, it is a small drill press.  I still want a mill but even the price of a Vanda-Lay is hard to justify for a tool I would not get much use from and have mainly for bragging rights.  Like my other tools, if the need ever arises then the justification is there but until then I remain mill-less.

 

Bob

[rtropp]

I agree Bob, curiosity is not a reasonable excuse for that kind of out lay.  At least not while there are other tools that are a higher priority.  Perhaps if I pick up another consulting assignment .

 

also, If I keep adding power tools I'll have to build another room.  That really makes the purchase expensive

 

Richard

[JPett]

Ahoy Mates

 

A while back I posted my purchase of a My Vanda lay Drill Press Plus and Proxxon XY table in this thread.

 

http://modelshipworld.com/index.php?/topic/1643-x-y-attachment-for-dremel/?p=54766

 

Just thought I would follow up and let you guys know how its working. So far I am very happy  

 

Drill Press: After my small modification drilling is smooth and accurate.

 

Milling Operation: As I have no prior experience operating a mill I might not be the best judge here. For me it works as expected. This being to mill hardwoods and soft metals with a precision and on a scale that exceeds my abilities with hand tools.  Vanda Lay offers a Z Bar fine Axis adjustment Dial and Screw which would take the milling to another level. It is on my wish list.

 

Sanding and grinding/polishing: Again, for me it works great. Holds the Dremel securely with no noticeable deflection in any axis. I find the Dremel starts to fail before the Vanda Lay mount.  I plan to modify the work station by adding a larger work surface to drum sand bigger parts, such as bulkheads. It will just be something with a hole for the Drum that will bolt to the top of the XY table. I will post a pic when I do.

 

Conclusion: This set up is a "Jack of all trades" and with that I am sure a master of none. For my current shipbuilding needs however it more then fits the bill. It does need to be configured for each operation and this can sometimes be time consuming. In the future I might replace some hardware so the same tool or no tool is needed to make adjustments or changes. Taking into account what it would have cost me to buy all these tools individually,  this was "Money well spent".  I am sure that I would get a higher level of precision with a stand alone mill, drum sander or full on drill press but these tools also require real estate which for me is an issue.  When the day comes that my abilities exceed those offered by this tool I will use the experience I gain from it to revisit these options.  

Edited October 1, 2013 by JPett

[rtropp]

J,

thanks for the update. I appreciate your feedback as I am considering the drill press or the mill.

by any chance do you have pictures of the set up as you used it for your various tasks?

 

Richard T.

[JPett]

Ahoy Richard 

 

For now I only have this and the image I linked to in my recent post

 

I will try to take some more pics showing other configurations

 

The Dremel can be angled which opens more options for grinding, sanding or milling too.

 

 

 

 

[JPett]

Ahoy Mates

 

As promised

 

I finally had the necessary motivation to add a drum sander attachment to my Vanda Lay.

 

It is just a piece of 12" square hobby plywood with some properly positioned holes. The Dremel sanding drum is recessed into the plywood but the hole does not go all the way through to protect the deck of the YX table that it is bolted to.

 

Works great, maybe a little too good. I think I need some of the fine sand paper drums. The Vanda Lay holds the Dremel well enough that the wood disappears before the drum head moves. Some thicker hardwood might change this. The tolerance is pretty tight.

 

Have upgraded my happiness with this tool to 4 out of 5. Value 5 out of 5. I used the Vanda Lay in drill press mode to make this

 

Isn't perfect but kicks butt.

Edited October 7, 2013 by JPett

[rtropp]

Thanks to all for the information.  It looks pretty straightforward to attach the x-y to the Dremel, and if I need to I can upgrade to a better stand, such as the Vandalay or sell it and buy the proxxon or sherline if I really get into it.  What's nice is that I feel I now have enough information from your experiences to go ahead and make a start of it.

 

OK, I will embarrass myself and show you what I did just to try it out without a compound table.

 

 

 

So, first thing I realized was that moving the jig with one hand while holding the head to the right height with the lever was not going to provide the best quality. 

 

But, it did provide decent cutouts for a plank that met a gun port. I think I am going to enjoy milling.

 

RT

[JPett]

Ahoy RT

 

You are a brave man. Ouch, just thinking about what could happen doing that gives me the willies

[rtropp]

I have cut proof gloves that I use in sculpting. They are made to allow control while protecting from cuts.

I may be silly, but I'm not crazy...

 

my mother had me tested!

 

RT

[Q A's Revenge]

This is interesting stuff.

 

Would there be any merit in a "show us your drill press setup" thread? I like to see what stuff others are using so maybe you guys do as well. I suggest we keep the chatter down between posters so the pictures can speak for themselves. Any thoughts?

[JPett]

I think your here

 

We hijacked Martin's thread a long time ago

Edited November 24, 2013 by JPett

[Q A's Revenge]

Oh, ok! Here's my drill then, no XY table yet.

 

[JPett]

Wow

 

That's really nice

 

Did you make that, I read somewhere that your pretty handy like that

 

Sadly I forgot to mention. We were still sticking with Martin's XY theme "lol". It was in the original terms of surrender

[Q A's Revenge]

No I did'nt make it. They made a batch of them where I worked for PCB drilling and were kind enough to let me have one when I said I was going to make one myself.

It seems like a nice design though.

[captainbob]

Nice looking drill press.  Can you give us a picture of the other side, so we can see the workings? 

 

Bob