PinBlock Drill Press

[Paul]

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
>