Drilling and tapping shaper table for accessories: How to?
I need to drill and tap a series of holes in the top of a used PM26 shaper to mount aftermarket guards and a stock feeder. My only experience of drilling into cast iron machines came in connection with attaching Unifence and Biesemeyer rails onto saws--and that didn't require much precision or any tapping. So basically I am coming at this with no background. I don't want to remove the top for the machine and am envisioning--correctly??--an approach using a portable drill and guide blocks to establish the correct hole pattern/spacing and keep the bit perpendicular. Guidance, advice and/or links to good threads or videos would be much appreciated.
Something to help old it vertical...
edit: can't post a pic
I've a tool similar to this for years.https://sawmillcreek.org/image/jpeg;...00wmlY01jVEP/ZHelps a lot with getting holes square to the surface. And, to aid in starting the tap, it can be chucked in the tool also. You can't really tap it very far, but can at least start it straight.
Locating the holes to match the add-on fixtures is a whole 'nother issue.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
David Stone (CT)
I need to drill and tap a series of holes in the top of a used PM26 shaper to mount aftermarket guards and a stock feeder. My only experience of drilling into cast iron machines came in connection with attaching Unifence and Biesemeyer rails onto saws--and that didn't require much precision or any tapping. So basically I am coming at this with no background. I don't want to remove the top for the machine and am envisioning--correctly??--an approach using a portable drill and guide blocks to establish the correct hole pattern/spacing and keep the bit perpendicular. Guidance, advice and/or links to good threads or videos would be much appreciated.