In Reply to: Re: The Sawboard: a circular saw guide that works! posted by AudioLapDance on July 20, 2001 at 09:08:34:
The tool I mentioned is mainly used for tapping, you can get it from metal tooling supply companies.
Going back to the drill press. Go down to the local Home Depot, buy their smallest drill press ($40). Before you assemble it, cut the support shaft in half. Now, when you assemble it, just mount the head and the base. Take a jig saw and cut a nice big 4" hole in the base. Voila, you have a portable (25lb) drill press.
Buy a very deep throat clamp and a ratchet strap. Strap or clamp the front of the base when you are drilling.
You will now drill vertical hole with v ery high placement accuracy. Your only limitations in drilling is the size of the drill.
We have two, a .33hp-35lb-$40 and a .75hp-110lb-$130 of cheap Chinese "portable" drill presses. We sometimes use them to drill holes on 1.5" thick steel vertical plates on 65,000 lbs. hot presses. I figured this is far easier then getting the boys to tote the the presses over to the mill, especially after lunch.
Buy the way, they (HomeDespots) also have a small "drill press" that you attache your drill to. JUNK!
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