|
One could add tape or Velcro if needed.AssemblyThere are really only three components here: A base, neck and press unit.You only need to attach the neck to the base and mount the press to the bar. This is completely unacceptable and I deduct 2 more stars. For this I deduct a ½ star.As for point #2, I was initially concerned that having only one point of attachment would be unstable, but it turns out to be secure enough. PartsThe product I received was slightly different than the box and marketing photos. This also increases the chance of breakage with the finer drill bits, which, I presume, most people who buy this will be using.One can do a "McGyver" and affix a piece of plastic with double sided tape to the point where the depth gauge slides eliminating the gap that causes the imprecision.VerdictIf one can assemble it (difficult should you get a base without the screw threads) and make the minor modification (simple) it is a nice enough tool. I am afraid that anyone with some infirmity will be unable to assemble this properly.
I literally had to use my entire body weight to turn it.
However, on the one I received, there were no threads on the base where the screw goes in to secure the neck.
Out of the box it is certainly better than drilling by hand.
Apparently there has been some revision from the manufacturer.1)The base is a dull die-cast metal rather than the shiny Aluminum in the pictures.2)The upper bracket to affix the tool has been deleted.The change in the base is not too big a deal for me, but it might make it more likely to scratch items than the smoother aluminum.
A perusal of other reviews indicates that not all of the units were missing the base threads.UsageSo, how does it perform.
In the instruction manual (barely visible pictures that look like 100th generation copies) it indicates that you should start the thread by pushing the screw and turning manually then use a long neck wrench to finish.
Let me advise you that it is absolutely necessary to use a long neck wrench for maximum leverage.
However, as has been said in other reviews, there is a bit more play in the press mechanism that can cause drilling to be off by a few millimeters.
Compact and light at a reasonable price point for which I add back a 1/2 star.
It is SOLID. After using the Dremel-brand equivalent for a few years, I was thrilled when I recieved the Milescraft 1907. If you want a hole in a spot the size of the bit you are using, it cant be guaranteed with the Dremel-brand. Until I received the Milescraft. I use it to drill out gemstones, cut tiles, drill PCBs, carve and cut, and I use it as a stand when I am using the Milescraft flex-shaft. It floats to and fro, left to right so your lucky if you hit your mark.
ACTUAL precision. I always have had a problem with the way the Dremel-brand workstation had such horribly loose tolerances. You will get such a kick out of the accuracy of this tool. And if you do hit your mark, it can slide before you start to drill a hole. I thought it was the best things got. Im sorry, actual precision with the Black and Decker RTX.
You can turn the tool 90 degres on the shaft to set the rotary tool up as a little rip-saw, grinding or polishing platform, and a lot more.A great product.
This also causes bits to break and wear prematurely.Additionally, the hardware that came with the stand did not fit. I ordered this as a drill press to use with my dremel for making PC boards.It is inadequate for that purpose. For instance, the bolt and nut arrangement used to secure the base to the stand would have been great if the bolt actually fit in the hole. There is at least 3 mm of play in the press. What's worse, when you operate the press it swings the bit side to side one MM, which makes it extremely difficult to locate holes in the center of a solder pad. I had to drill out the hole to fit the bolt, or drill and tap it (I had a tap the correct size, so I did away with the nut). If you're looking for a reasonably precise drill press, stay away from this piece of junk.
This of course is big trouble just waiting to happen. First, let me echo prior reviews, this is a light duty tool stand, do not expect to do precession work with it. Milescraft seems to have "updated" (September '09) this product by dropping the clamp that gripped the rotary tool around it's midsection, this leaves the rotary tool only supported by the nut on it's nose. The good news is that if you are somewhat handy as a hardware hacker you can fix all these short comings in two or three hours of work with a power drill, knife, sanding drum(s) and a few tie wraps and some shim material. All in all I am happy with how this turned out, I am using this stand along with the rotary tool to drill PCB's, and it is doing that very well.
I've drilled probably more than a thousand holes since I got it and the drill press has caused one bit to break when I pushed it all the way down.The tool is not held steady when there is resistance, so if you are using this for routing or cutting, then either you need to make some modifications to the press or accept a few mm of error. For drilling PCBs, it works well.
When I received it, the hole cut in side for the knob to anchor the tool to the vertical bar was of the wrong size, I had to put a nut on the back of it, making vertical adjustment not possible. I'm using this with a Dremel 220 to drill PCBs with tungsten carbide bits.
The base is not very flat, but I just put a piece of wood over it.The dremel tool does fit perfectly and i think it is held very snugly, no controls on the dremel are blocked. Missing that nut, I then had to get a spare screw and nut to anchor the vertical bar to the base.
Also the plastic cord holder on the top didn't fit into the bar.There is a small amount of side play of approx 1mm through the entire vertical travel. The side play doesn't break #66 bits because you only need a vertical travel of 3mm.
|
