Metalworking in a woodworking shop

[scholar]

Metalworking is a mucky business. I suppose it would be nice to have a separate workshop/area dedicated to metalworking, but I don’t have this.

In any event, I would not stretch to two separate drill presses, so that means the drill press has to do for both woodwork and metalwork.

I had to make about 20 custom stainless steel fixing brackets to modify some window fixings - 4 countersunk holes in each - really tough work and mucky not only due to the chips, but also copious quantities of lubricant/coolant (I used cutting oil which was best for the countersinking and water which helped with the drilling). I found the Tormek mat to be ideal for this job as pictured below. I don’t know if others have better solutions, but I think I will have to get another one dedicated for use on the drill press.

Cheers

 

[Ed Weber]

I like the chip mat, thanks for sharing.
I have used statistically placed rare earth magnets to catch metal debris. I know this doesn't work for all metals, but some varieties of Stainless are slightly magnetic. For brass, copper, aluminim etc. I think the mat is the best solution to capture the mess.

 

[powertools]

Anything Tormek is over priced many plastic trays are available from garden centres and even Ikea.
I don't think that it is possible to use the same drill press for both wood and metal even if you only take into account that you will end up with dirty hands working with metal and that will transfer to the handles of the drill press and then to your woodwork the next time you use it.

 

[scholar]

Anything Tormek is over priced many plastic trays are available from garden centres and even Ikea.
I don't think that it is possible to use the same drill press for both wood and metal even if you only take into account that you will end up with dirty hands working with metal and that will transfer to the handles of the drill press and then to your woodwork the next time you use it.

I have used a plastic plant tray in the past - the nice thing about the Tormek mat is that it is grippy rubber so the vice held steady. It also worked out to be a good size.

The Tormek mat wasn‘t as overpriced as the drill press(!) which is why I couldn’t stretch to another one, as well as not having the space as mentioned, so yes it has to do woodworking and metalworking.

Cheers

 

[Bingy man]

A little outside the box but a decent drilling operation with multiple holes , counter sinking etc the tray - any type of large tray is a great solution but cleaning up all that oil coolant or cutting paste etc is a job in itself. Try using a puppy training mat to soak up the spills and it too will catch the swarf , the tray is simply placed under the mat . Obviously caution should follow while drilling due to hot swarf but I’ve used this method purely to reduce the clean up time . All rags , paper towel etc are removed to an outside bin asap.

 

[sawtooth-9]

Anything Tormek is over priced many plastic trays are available from garden centres and even Ikea.
I don't think that it is possible to use the same drill press for both wood and metal even if you only take into account that you will end up with dirty hands working with metal and that will transfer to the handles of the drill press and then to your woodwork the next time you use it.

I use the same drill press for both metal and wood - no problems, just clean up between jobs.
Also, when drilling stainless steel, I don't find it necessary to use coolant if you keep your speeds low

 

[sploo]

Obviously caution should follow while drilling due to hot swarf...

There's nothing quite like a ring of hot, spinning, death noodles to really focus the mind

 

[kayjay]

I find a magnetic swarf collector makes a huge difference.

 

[graduate_owner]

This is a daft post. Why don't you guys do what I did? Just build a separate metalworking shop. I have my 2 metal lathes, milling machine, surface grinder, metal bandsaw, CNC kit and radial arm drill in there and it's no problem. Oh, sorry, I think I must have fallen asleep, I just had a really strange dream.

K

 

[sploo]

I find a magnetic swarf collector makes a huge difference.

I finally stumped up the cash for one of those recently. Total game changer for cleaning up swarf.

Unless you've been using alum or brass of course...

 

[Sideways]

I find a magnetic swarf collector makes a huge difference.

Pair of long nose electricians pliers also work on smaller tasks.
For clearing up metal chips and less stringy swarf, a vac with a wide hose and a cyclone separator to keep the oil and chips out of the vac makes clean up much easier.

 

[niall Y]

I also use my workshop, for metalwork and woodwork. And, wouldn't it be amazing to have separate workshops for each operation, but, sadly for most of us - 'that just ain't gonna happen'. If I keep things clean, and tidy up properly afterwards, I can happily do both.

I had a quick look at the OP's Tormek tray - a nifty solution I might add- but at that price - £53. - I think I'll give that particular one, a swerve . However there are other rubber trays available at a much more realistic price.

 

[Fergie 307]

There's nothing quite like a ring of hot, spinning, death noodles to really focus the mind

View attachment 163046

Don't you just love aluminium for this!

 

[Fergie 307]

I have used a plastic plant tray in the past - the nice thing about the Tormek mat is that it is grippy rubber so the vice held steady. It also worked out to be a good size.

The Tormek mat wasn‘t as overpriced as the drill press(!) which is why I couldn’t stretch to another one, as well as not having the space as mentioned, so yes it has to do woodworking and metalworking.

Cheers

Plastic trays, or commercial size baking trays in either aluminium or stainless. Very cheap by comparison to the "specialist" items.

 

[Jake]

I find a magnetic swarf collector makes a huge difference.

I had an initial excitement about the one I bought a month or so ago, but the way they magnetise everything they come in contact with is not great in a metal-working context especially in the proximity of grinder dust and not just nice big curly swarf..

 

[TRITON]

You could buy a small mill, they will double up as a pillar drill too.

 

[RupertV]

There's nothing quite like a ring of hot, spinning, death noodles to really focus the mind

View attachment 163046

Yes, reminds me of working in engineering in the early 70s on production lathes where long snakes of coiled steel would run along the workshop floor and if you weren't being aware could hit your boot and run up your leg inside one's overalls - happened once, that was enough!

 

[scholar]

I also use my workshop, for metalwork and woodwork. And, wouldn't it be amazing to have separate workshops for each operation, but, sadly for most of us - 'that just ain't gonna happen'. If I keep things clean, and tidy up properly afterwards, I can happily do both.

I had a quick look at the OP's Tormek tray - a nifty solution I might add- but at that price - £53. - I think I'll give that particular one, a swerve . However there are other rubber trays available at a much more realistic price.

Well I already had the Tormek tray - yes that seems a lot now.

 

[niall Y]

Well I already had the Tormek tray - yes that seems a lot now.

I fully understand - its what we in our house call "shopping at home first" - As in, - "Is there something I already have that I could use?"

 

[scholar]

Also, when drilling stainless steel, I don't find it necessary to use coolant if you keep your speeds low

This is probably a subject all in itself - I had real problems with drilling 5mm holes in this 2mm material.

I am an amateur, and all the advice I could find suggested keep speed and feed rate high.

My drill press sets itself to 3000 rpm for 1-5mm drill in steel (no separate stainless steel setting) - I dialled that down to about 2500 and that mostly worked ok with coolant where I used a constant jet of water from a plant sprayer worked well (operated by the workshop assistant that I am married to) - I ruined a couple of (cheap Toolstation) cobalt drills in about 80 holes through overheating. I feel it should have been easier….

Cheers