Terry I modified a bench top drill press much the same way Conrad did. Then I bought a bit extension that is marketed as an extension for SPEEDBORE spade bits. The extension is bored to 1/4" with a set screw for clamping. I drilled out the extension with the same size bit I use for tuning pins; set up the drill press over the pin block with the quill feed all the way up, and cut the extension to length. I dimple the pin block before drilling. This dimple centers the drill. Paul Chick ----- Original Message ----- From: Farrell <mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com> To: <pianotech@ptg.org> Sent: Saturday, September 23, 2000 7:02 AM Subject: PinBlock Drill Press > For you rebuilder types: > > I am going to plug a square grand pinblock while the pinblock is in the > piano. I need to modify an 8" drill press (mounted/riding on a board clamped > to the piano rim) to do the job (please don't tell me to do it by hand - I > have first hand experience with my steady hand in precision drilling > situations). The pinblock top is 3-3/4" below the rim (about the same for > any grand). My press has a 2" throw. With a pinblock drill bit in the chuck, > the bottom of the drill bit (tip) is about 17" above the pinblock (my 2" > travel doesn't quite reach ;-). If I cut the vertical pipe support of the > drill press as much as possible (so that the drill press body rests directly > upon the base flange) I will lower it about 15". That still leaves the drill > bit tip 2" from the pinblock. At best I can nick the pinblock top and wish > it would go further. > > I know this is a popular approach to this task. How has anyone else modified > a drill press to reach down that far? Or are the incremental drill bit sizes > available in 6" (or there abouts) lengths? > > Terry Farrell > Piano Tuning & Service > Tampa, Florida > mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com >
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