So, I was thinking (yes, that means you should run screaming into the night).

When I'm drilling holes for my fretwork, I drill a lot of holes. If I'm using the drill press (preferred method) I can only support the piece I'm drilling with one hand. The other hand has to pull the drill bit down into the wood. I want to rig up a jig when a rod extends from the drill press handle to a foot pedal that will pull the spindle down and when released the drill press handle will raise back up, this would allow me to have both hands on the piece of wood for more control. Since I'm using 1/16 inch and smaller drill bits there is little danger of the work piece being pulled out of my grip. I have used a molding chopper and a double miter saw that used this technique (factory built for it) so the concept has been used in the past.

What do you thnk?

A picture of the double lidded basket showing all the holes to be drilled:

 

 

I've heard of that being done, but couldn't find much in a search other than this old Rockwell press with a foot pedal. Looks pretty much like your idea.

Edited December 20, 20214 yr by Fred W. Hargis Jr

Found a couple of ideas but they use some electronic actuating boards.

Fred,

  That's it!

  Thanks

My other idea, which I won't develop any further unless the large scale planks become a thing, is to mount a work surface from the ceiling, close to a wall, and mount a bench top drill press to it. Turn the drill press head 180 degrees from the base so that it hangs in the air. Cut the column so that the head is at or below the work surface. Then I could position a workbench underneath the drill press and have virtually unlimited capacity for drilling. Way, way more trouble than it would be worth unless large scale projects become a thing.

17 hours ago, Wichman3 said:

Turn the drill press head 180 degrees from the base so that it hangs in the air. Cut the column so that the head is at or below the work surface. Then I could position a workbench underneath the drill press and have virtually unlimited capacity for drilling.

 

 I've seen this done with a Dremel with the drill press attachment mounted to a shelf upside down. An adjustable worktable underneath gets you to your correct height.

On 12/21/2021 at 7:37 AM, DuckSoup said:

 I've seen this done with a Dremel with the drill press attachment mounted to a shelf upside down. An adjustable worktable underneath gets you to your correct height.

   I've seen the setup for the dremel, my concern is the runout over time. That setup is what got me thinking about how to accomplish this with a drill press (less runout over time). I ran across this drill press last week, it appears the the head can be turned upside down on the column, the one inch stroke is probably doable for the work I intend for it.

   Drill press:  https://qtena.com/benchtop-drill-press-br-for-small-parts-br-110-volt-pi-7762.html

Wich, I'm a little lost (not unusual). How would turning the head upside down help?

Edited December 23, 20214 yr by Fred W. Hargis Jr

The base of the drill press would be mounted overhead.

I find it helpful using a foot switch when drilling a lot of holes.  Lets me position the piece without the drill turning.

These large fret work pieces in your picture might weight a very few ounces so sliding that much around on a smooth drill press shouldn't need much strength. And turning the motor on and off with a foot switch leaves the one hand on the handle to lower the bit in to the wood. So unless you only have one arm and hand I see no problem...

Some of the big clocks I have built had sections maybe two foot wide to lay on the drill press table but there again they were of 1/4" thick maple and one finger could hold them down while drilling. 

  So if you don't have a foot switch for the drill press, get one. 

  I use to use a foot switch on the scroll saw but sitting in a swivel base office chair it was too hard to keep the foot pedal where I could reach it with my foot was a problem and beside the switch on the 788 Dewalt is up front where it is real easy to reach.

 

 

 

Edited December 23, 20214 yr by Smallpatch