Kirk or others.

[Buemaker]

Kirk, you have told that you use a milling machine for cutting limb pads and other things. I am looking at some x-y tables for drill press and milling machines,but have no idea. I am looking at one with 210mm x-axis travel and 110 mm y-axis travel. Does this mean that you can mill a piece that are 210 mm long and 110 mm wide? I haven’t got a clue about these things. Thanks.

[Black-Hill]

Hi Bue,
you are from Europa, look at this:
https://www.hbm-machines.com/de/p/hbm-bf-25-frasmaschine-mit-3-achsen-lcd-digitalanzeige?_gl=1*14yrl7u*_up*MQ..&gclid=Cj0KCQiAlKmeBhCkARIsAHy7WVsMSGXzs09NH4eYwOXfn4JDZC20n5lFqmqGdAxCgRrw92-ylKKxQPYaAsL8EALw_wcB
Only a Table ?? This:
https://www.ebay.de/itm/255229192434?hash=item3b6cd868f2:g:wLYAAOSwHU9iummd&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAA4D0VQu8lzq1uStXlDeoSbC9HcgAk8p58zNDBigc6FhLo7Y9LW7PoxdTmfmATpHlmKYhRpa1iPL8%2F9VSpO%2BULQiCxJe8CIWrUrhB91wndCB6J9edzrgc5Rod3LXAVsKh665GnA%2Bqu5yZFeHZBGbdm7KX9P%2Ff6wz06SZVggfnZzt5G27%2BfoqQQ1CELVEc%2BtHGNVzFbii%2BkfDZ5FWQXMfosbXw5ClaC1e9cyWZEd0S22Xgyj41i72jlCqn78%2BWp%2F1GQxw5F59FTL0srh7swmpo6qGCkVKs%2BHSQrD%2BIKdZfLZaL2%7Ctkp%3ABFBM-qSb77lh

Tom

[Appalachian Hillbilly]

Bue, that is how far the table will travel in those directions.  Often the limiting factor is where the head is in relationship to the back of the mill or drill. In other words how far the overhang is. Side to side is not often the limiting factor.  I use my mill to do my limb pads and pocket on my ILF risers.

Ken

[mmattockx]

Bue,

Do realize that most drill presses are not meant for side loading on the spindle and doing milling operations on one can result in the chuck falling out of the spindle while operating, resulting in a dangerous and damaging situation.


Mark

[Buemaker]

I know, but thank you anyway.

[mmattockx]

I know, but thank you anyway.

OK, good. Not realizing that can lead to a very bad day. If you know what you're getting into then it is on you to be safe with it.


Mark

[Kirkll]

There are a lot of different choices for machinist tables that will work for you.... But.... the most important part is the precision vice you bolt to the table.  I bought an older Kurt vise for my 18" vertical mill. I added some steel plates for extensions to diversify its use for different types of riiser milling. Its important to keep your riser in the same direction when milling your location pins. None of this flipping it around non sense.

For that reason i mounted my vise closer to the end of the table. It gives me clearance for milling RC limbs too this way.

Here's a few pictures..... https://photos.app.goo.gl/z84TsgYHh8drZFCJ6

BTW.... Using a Machinist table on decent drill press for milling limb pads and drilling should be fine for bows. Just be conscious of your RPM levels with different types of material, use good sharp mill ends or router bits,  and don't try and hog to much off at a time. Using a drill chuck you do not want to use high rpms.  A milling machine has collets for high speed milling.

[Mad Max]

Retired Tool and Die maker and Machinist 28 Years.

The drill chuck will fall out sooner or later.
I would try to find a Milling machine not to far from your home.
Bridgeport is what I used for many years, I had 2 news ones at 1 time.
Here is the first one I Googled in the US
For everything
 https://teamequip.com/bridgeport-series-i-vertical-milling-machine-m0806/
For Hobby
https://www.amazon.com/Benchtop-Milling-Machine/s?k=Benchtop+Milling+Machine

[Buggs]

I wish I had known better than to buy a drill press years ago. Still too dumb, lazy and cheap to get rid of it and get a proper mill/drill machine.