Good tools?

[rpenning1970]

Well I now have to invest in some quality tools. I have many of the items from derby worx and am looking at getting a silver bullit next. I do not have any sort of heavy duty tools like a drill press or a table top sander. I was looking at the harbor freight website and was wondering what the thougths were on the following items

drill press, 69.99
www.harborfreight.com/garage-shop/stationary-drill-press/5-speed-drill-press-38119.html

belt sander 69.99
www.harborfreight.com/1-belt-and-5-disc-combination-sander-69033.html

I was going to get the drill pres because I will use it for several things like drilling the axle holes and polishing axles. what are you thoughts?

 

[B-4 Racing]

Personally, I believe you may be happier with a little upgrade on the belt sander to at least a 4" wide belt. It will make blending in and thinning down an easier job than with a 1" width. Just my opinion.

 

[OPARENNEN]

Drill press is OK for everything except getting absolutely perfect rear axel holes. For that you need Proxon. If the rears are not perfect, the car will never compete in pro events, like NPWDRL. In fact, I have even received an ocasional predrilled block that was ever so slightly off.

But if you get the one listed above, be agsolutely sure that the table is EXACTLY 90 degrees to drill bits. Most at Harbor won't pass that test, but some do. I have one that is correct, but I still don't trust it for rear holes. So I buy predrilled blocks form DD4H

Sander -- forget the one listed. Get a Ridgid EB4424 Oscillating Edge Belt/Spindle Sander. the belt goes up and down while the belt rotates. IT IS GREAT. You can get it at home depot for close to $100. If you don't believe me, ask John at DD4H.

 

[pony express]

If you get the lower speed drill press, you'll need to use collets rather than the chuck it comes with. The proxxon is much higher speed and therefore drills the holes without walking as much. The proxxon is not much use beyond the small holes for axles. You couldn't drill round weight holes with the proxxon.

 

[jator359]

That Ridgid's $199 at Home Depot; $329 at Amazon.

 

[5KidsRacing]

That drill press is essentially the same as mine and will work fine. I will have to very respectfully disagree with Opa on the drill press. You want a flat table that does not move and you want a way to hold the Silver Bullet so it stays in position. If your table isn’t perfect your holes will be skewed from the centerline of the body (dogtrack), but they will be right with respect to one another. My table is definately not perfect... Also runout isn’t a major concern… Your holes will be bigger, but they will be round.

What most racers do wrong is they don’t drill straight holes. The holes wander because of grain or because the Silver Bullet moves slightly. Make sure you hold the block firmly in place by using a fence and also holding both sides with something. John shows a magnetic thing which costs more, but is effective. I use 1-2-3 blocks on either side of the Silver Bullet held by clamps. I always center drill first and then use a carbide drill bit. I have the stubby bits, but they are short and the cheaper carbide bits work just as well if you center drill first.

I agree with bclinn on the belt sander…. Get one that has a 4” wide belt. I bought the one below and it works great.

http://www.harborfreight.com/4-inch-x-36-inch-belt-6-inch-disc-sander-97181.html

 

[DerbyDad4Hire]

5KR is right on. Too many people preach you have to square up your drill press which is not necessary. You just have to make sure there is No movement of the Silver Bullet when you are drilling. The Proxxon is great for precise drill heights and replicating. Experience and knowledge of the pitfalls is what determines the drill job. Not every one will be perfect but you can cut the margin of error. The problem I found with the bigger presses was the vibration.

 

[Crash Enburn]

I have that HF drill press. I had feared that it wouldn't be precise enough -- getting what I paid for. In our district, PWD rules dictate that all four wheels touch flat. When I drilled axle holes, one on each side, I found that my measurements and the press worked out to drill holes straight through the body. Color me impressed, Richard.

- Eric

 

[5KidsRacing]

Don't get me wrong on this, if I had the $$ and I was buying a drill press I would buy a Proxxon. But it seems like my current set-up works fine so I have no reason to buy a new one. Its kinda like everything with PWD, when you find a method that works and produces speed keep doing it exactly that way until someone beats you... lol... it is doing all the little things better than everybody else that gets you the win... and that doesn't mean taking more time with each step. actually it probably means taking less time.

 

[Quicktimederby]

+1

it is doing all the little things better than everybody else that gets you the win... and that doesn't mean taking more time with each step. actually it probably means taking less time.

 

[MWDracing]

Got it and LOVE it...

http://www.ridgid.com/tools/eb4424-sander/

MWD

 

[DONELSON]

I use a SKILL drill press(if Daddio hasn't already sent me something pre-drilled), a hand held belt sander & a cordless Dremel . Albeit, I'm not where I should be as far as competitiveness, it's not because of what few tools I have, it's time. I'll go heads up anytime with anyone..live, with only 30 minutes to build a car..prep wheels/axles, with only a drill press, belt sander, Dremel..anyone else can use whatever tools they want to.lol, y'all know I just want to get beat . You guys are the BEST!!
D.G.143
btw..I did beat the Daddio one time.. via proxy.
(in the center lane for every run)

 

[ljo]

Which proxxon part number is the one to get?

 

[GravityX]

Bench Drill Press TBM115 http://www.proxxontools.com/store/pc/viewCart.asp and depending on your location around $15 to ship.

 

[cygnus]

http://www.proxxontools.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=20&idproduct=61