While it's not 'Directly' associated with Straight Razors :w--- I had a new toy land at Ski's today.
I had purchased an 8" Harbor Freight 20 or more years ago. I was never happy with it as it was sloppy as hell but it would put holes in things.
I finally decided to upgrade a bit and this landed today. (Seller's Pic) It's a WEN 4214 12-Inch Bench Mount Variable Speed Drill Press. The variable speed doesn't require changing a belt over pulleys which will be most welcome.
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Once I got it home my son arrived and helped unpack it. While I'm no Tc with Gorilla Strength I'm not too shabby but I'll be honest in that it was nice to have a bit of help to get the overhead with the motor attached on the shaft as the cabinet it was being assembled on was already almost 3 feet high.
I'd watched a video on this machine and the poster had found the quill running almost dead true but the stock Keyed Chuck about 10 thousandth out so being a bit anal I purchased an entry level Dial Indicator and Magnetic Stand to check things out. I figured I could use it to check other things like my disc brake run out on my Harley.
To make a long story a bit shorter, I email Geezer for some advice on using the indicator and he also added sage wisdom about cleaning the quill and chuck.
I struggled to get consistent results using the bracketry and finally just used the vertical post on the magnetic base and 'Viola'! Consistent results! :y
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The quill measures 1/2 a thousandth run out and the chuck holding a new Made In the USA drill bit has a run out of 2 thousandth.
I still need to adjust the table to be 90 degs to the drill chuck and the laser to be on center of where the drill bit is to start cutting.
So far and for about $370 delivered--I'm one happy camper :y
Note:
I just finished adjusting the table and the laser. The table was spot on but the laser was way off. I will say that it was very interesting adjusting the laser. I quickly found that everything must be tightened fully or there aren't repeatable results AND that it doesn't take much to move the beams/having to compensate for the tightening of the set screws for one.
With that said it's all good to go! :y