Can a mill double as a drill press?

[BeadLock]

Stupid question I know but was just ondering if one could use a mill for a drill press and it not have any ill affects on the mill. Flame away if you must.

[BENDER]

Mills can double as drill presses, no problem. It's milling with a drill press that is unsafe.

[Reflection]

A freind of mine that has a small machine shop in his garage,if it needs drilling and can be put up in the mill,he uses it.

I may be wrong but the way I see it,a mill is essentially a drill press on steriods. The options on how you "drill" are endless,well,depending on what machine and how big your parts are. I wish I would have gotten a small mill instead of my medium sized drill press,I would have alot more options.

[BENDER]

Originally Posted by raptorman57

I may be wrong but the way I see it,a mill is essentially a drill press on steriods. The options on how you "drill" are endless,well,depending on what machine and how big your parts are.

You're right, mill bearings are rated for side load, conventional and climb cutting with endmills. So drilling to them is gravy.

The drill presses lack the proper bearings and a draw bar to use as a mill. Most of them are some sort of taper shank, which means the drill chuck is held into the spindle by a light press fit using matching tapers, at least the ones I've seen are.

[BeadLock]

Cool, no flaming. Thanks for the info guys. So, I could get a mill and not have to deal with buying another drill press since the mill will be bought with funds from my drill press.