Drill Doctor 750x

smokeywolf

Well-Known Member
Gunsmith buddy said years ago his first project was to turn a mild steel sphere into a perfect cube of an exact dimension using only a vise, micrometer, and file.
Only machinist I know that might have been able to do that was a Danish fellow I worked with who taught me a couple of valuable lessons. He had gone through an old world traditional apprenticeship in Denmark and had worked several years as machinist on a merchant marine vessel.

He told me, 'Number 1, good setup equals good parts. Don't get into a rush on your setup. Plan it out, visualize the whole setup and part making right to the end and you won't paint yourself into a corner.

I've never been a fast machinist, but I've always been the one called on by the boss to fabricate his 'brain children' and to remake the parts that "the faster machinist" screwed up.
 

Bret4207

At the casting bench in the sky. RIP Bret.
We had a German immigrant carpenter lived just down the road from us. Came over pre-WW2, went through the apprentice program back in the old country. He related the "filing a bar into a perfect sphere and then back to a perfect cube" story to my father. Not sure why a carpenter had to learn to file like that, but that was his story.

My Drill Dr is a hit and miss. Worked great for years then it stopped working good. Finally figured out the kids had been messing with the adjustments. It's good on smaller bits I can't see well to do, but I can still do a larger bit by hand faster. I learned how to sharpen with a drill gauge, but it's not something I enjoy.
 
Last edited:

RBHarter

West Central AR
8th grade Metal Shop . My polished skill is somewhat lacking but over 5/16 I can generally get one to cut again free hand . I really should spring for a fine grained wheel .

Filing ....... Draw , form or slot . I had an Uncle that was a coke Coke drinking fool , and a master wood worker . Carving was where he shined . Unfortunately he passed away before I was old enough to really learn anything from him . He and my Great Aunt built a house entirely from native wood in Hawaii .
 

smokeywolf

Well-Known Member
I suspect I'll be purchasing a higher end Drill Dr. soon, as my eyesight is getting fuzzier and hands shakier. Think I might still be able to teach Future Vet (now possibly, Future Radiology Tech) to sharpen drills. If so, another way for him to "earn his keep".

Ian has two that in 10 years or so, he can teach shop skills.
 

Bret4207

At the casting bench in the sky. RIP Bret.
Smokey, set that M3 up with a dedicated grinder (even a cheapy will do if you use good stones and dress them to balance) and you will really have something to brag on. I remember those and they were only a step below the commercial units of the day. Got to have a good, flat base set up relative to the stone and light enough to see whatcher' doin'.

The little coffee grinder looking one is a forerunner to the Drill Dr type. Never used one, but I know some folks have used them and been happy.
 

smokeywolf

Well-Known Member
I'm hoping to procure a Baldor, Dayton or maybe a Darex bench or pedestal grinder to set up for these fixtures. Need to buy new plastic straps for the fixture. Old ones are brittle and broken. Found them on _bay for $13/pair.
The "coffee grinder" unit is a cheap Black & Decker of yesteryear. Have never used it and probably never will.

Used to teach drill sharpening to the new apprentice machinists at MGM; also a few of the plumbers and special effects guys. Last time I had to sharpen a drill at home was about 3 years ago. Think I remember having trouble then. Not looking forward to finding out that with my shaky hands, it's an impossibility now. Might have some luck if I double dose my anti-shake med. Better yet, just lay off the coffee and drink a shot of scotch.:)
 

Bret4207

At the casting bench in the sky. RIP Bret.
I simply HAVE to use a drill gauge now. Even then it's a crap shoot if I'm going to come close on lip length from side to side. Life was easier when I could see things.