4 best milling aluminum with drill press

Milling aluminum with a drill press is possible, but it's important to note that a drill press is not designed for milling operations, and it has limitations compared to dedicated milling machines. Here are some key points to consider when milling aluminum with a drill press:

Tool Selection: You'll need an end mill, which is a cutting tool designed for milling operations. Ensure that you have the appropriate end mill for the job, and it's sharp and in good condition.
Workholding: Securing the aluminum workpiece is crucial. You'll need a vise or clamps to hold the material firmly in place. Make sure the workpiece is secure and doesn't move during milling.
Speed and Feeds: The drill press has limited speed control compared to milling machines. It's essential to choose the correct speed and feed rate for aluminum milling. Generally, aluminum requires higher speeds and lighter cuts compared to harder materials like steel.
Cutting Lubricant: Using a cutting lubricant or coolant can help prevent overheating and chip buildup. A common choice for milling aluminum is a cutting oil or a specialized aluminum cutting fluid.
Safety: Always wear appropriate safety gear, such as safety glasses and hearing protection. Be cautious, as milling can create chips and generate heat.
Technique: When milling, take shallow cuts and move the workpiece steadily to avoid overloading the drill press and producing rough or inaccurate results. Gradually remove material by making several passes.
Tool Life: Keep an eye on the condition of your end mill. Aluminum can be abrasive, and it may dull the cutting edges relatively quickly.Replace the end mill when it becomes worn to maintain quality and efficiency.
Clean-Up: After milling, clean the work area thoroughly to remove aluminum chips, as they can be sharp and potentially hazardous.

It's essential to acknowledge that a drill press is not a substitute for a milling machine, which is designed specifically for milling operations. Milling machines offer more precise control over speed, depth, and accuracy, making them the preferred choice for professional machining tasks. However, with careful setup and attention to the limitations of a drill press, you can perform basic milling operations on aluminum.

Below you can find our editor's choice of the best milling aluminum with drill press on the market

Drill Press Vise Milling Machine Worktable Bench Work Clamps or Vise, Aluminum Parallel-jaw Vice, 2.4 Inches Flat Pliers by Drealin (Silver)

Drealin

Based on 39 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Easy to work, more fun!

Clamping article, Convenient for polishing ,milling and drilling.

1.The clamp body made of aluminium alloy,firm and durable, long service life.

2.Suitable for small bench pliers, woodworking bench.

Specifications:

Type: Parallel-jaw Vice

Style: Flat mouth

Material: Aluminium alloy

Color:silver

Jaw height :1" (25mm)

Jaw opening :2.4" (60mm)

Weight: 421g

Package included:

1 X Parallel-jaw Vice

▶Quite a vice portable for home work. Complete with a drilling rack and mini milling machine is very convenient.
▶The parallel-jaw vice is available to all of the bench work. In the household is necessary. The materials are not very strong. But it does its function
▶Vise with a straight handle. Body-base extruded aluminum Clamp with all the dope. Style: Flat mouth; Track:Double track. Max clamping Capacity:2.4" (60 mm).
▶You can press the key just move. You can release the key to rotate the handle, move the thread.
▶You can secure all work with clamps or a vise, freeing both hands to operate tools.

3" Cross Slide Drill Press Vise 2 Way X- Y Compound Vise Cross Slide Mill drill press milling vise

Based on 51 reviews Check latest price

★Cross travel: 3.12" Longitudinal travel: 2.61"
★ Maximum jaw opening: 2.73"（80mm），Vise Specifications: 3"
★ Hand wheels feature machine-marked 0.1 mm increments for maximum precision 。Adjustment in X direction: 80mm. Adjustment in Y direction: 67mm.
★2 swivel crank handles for adjusting vise front to back and left to right, Bolt down slots for securing
★Hand wheel with adjustable scale:A ring=1.5mm

User questions & answers

Question:	I wanted to clarify a dimension. Is the shown 105mm the center-to-center distance of the mounting slots
Answer:	If you have done edge veneering, then you know the difficulties of getting a good trim on the edges and to clip the ends of the strip even with the edge. This end clipping tool is extremely easy to use by putting the tool on the edge, and the stops align the blade with the end of the board. When you depress the lever, it clips the veneer strip exactly even with the end of the board. About as simple as you can get.
Question:	Would this work for 80 percent lowers
Answer:	It´s only for the tail end.
Question:	Will this work in an 8 inch drill press
Answer:	I can't see why you couldn't I'm on AT&T and you know Verizon wouldn't let that happen.

Product features

Premium quality swiveling Milling Vises features perfectly aligned precision gowned jaws ，

And it is with 3 Inch Wide Jaw

Trust your best work with these quality milling vises！

POWERTEC R71044 DuBois Aluminum Drill Press Vise, Quick Release Edition

POWERTEC

Based on 66 reviews Check latest price

Product description

Dubois aluminum drill Press vise provides stability for drilling applications. The vise is made of cast aluminum. It measures 9-1/8 inches long by 4-1/2 inches wide. Max. Jaw opening is 2-3/4 inches (70mm). quick-release for instant clamping and release of work piece. Slots make it easy to mount to drill Press tables; compatible with most drill stands. Built-in Groove holds dowels and other round materials.

INCLUDES: Drill Press Vise
APPLICATION: Secures and grips your woods, plastics, and metals - delivering exceptional stability for your drilling projects
FEATURES: Quick release action for instant clamping and repositioning, a built-in groove for holding dowels and rounded materials
LIGHTWEIGHT BUILD: Made from corrosion resistant cast aluminum, perfectly sized at 9-1/8” x 4-1/2” for convenient storage, and possesses a 2-3/4” max vice jaw opening for an assortment of woodworking and clamping functions
COMPATIBILITY: Offers a universal design that uses mounting slots, 3-5/8” on center, to attach seamlessly to most drill press tables

User questions & answers

Question:	will this fit a wen 8 in drill press
Answer:	No
Question:	Does this item include the hardware needed to attach it to a drill press platform
Answer:	Yes
Question:	What is the measure between the mounting slots, center to center? Not all drill presses have a star shaped table.... It would be helpful, to add this
Answer:	7" across x 4 5/8" deep

Product features

The Aluminum Drill Press Vise by POWERTEC.

This vice is perfectly designed for table top drill press and woodworking applications. Whether used for cutting, drilling or lite duty clamping, this general purpose vice offers optimal versatility with impressive features at an affordable price. Featuring a well-built, universal design, it’s sure to help produce professional looking results with each individual project.

Easy To Use and Install

The well designed vise base possesses dual onboard mounting slots to easily secure and position the vise to your drill press table. The featured slots are 3-1/8 inches long with a center to center space of 3-5/8 inches. These dimensions enable you to utilize the vise in accordance to virtually any drill press workstation.

Design and Build Features

Die Cast Aluminum Frame: Corrosion resistant and able to retain high dimensional clamping force stability.
Quick Release Button: Provides instant clamping and release action for your work.
Large Ergonomic Handle: Offers optimal control and comfort while gripping.
Built-In Vertical Groove: Perfect for holding dowels and rounded materials.
Maximum Jaw Opening: 2-3/4-inch (70mm)

Offers Project Versatility

Intended for the tabletop drill press applications, this vice is also suitable for almost any work surface. Get creative and use it for an assortment of projects, including woodworking, polishing, hobby work, jewelry making, electronics and other lightweight crafts.

Mini Precision Milling Machine Worktable Multifunction Drill Vise Fixture Working Table (Large (13.8"-3.9"))

Based on 137 reviews Check latest price

Product description

MINIQ BG6350 Compound Slide Table Multifunction Drill Vise Fixture Working Table Mini Precision Milling Machine Worktable - The BG6350 is more stable one than the BG6330&BG6300, it uses 2pcs 14mm (M14*3) lead screws, 4pcs 13mm Cylinder Liner Rails, and 8pcs SC13UU linear motion ball bearing slide bushings make this worktable guarantee the minimum space and ensure the accuracy better than the 6330&6300.

- It is the same size as the 6330 one that it uses more solid aluminum alloy material to make the end cap, it can make the plane rotates more flexible.

- The base and the flexible table have the rigid structure being more strengthen than 6300, and the screw rod (M10x2) is more stronger than before, so it can be used for higher

- standard of usage. Specification: Model: BG6350 Table size: 350*100mm Adjustable for X direction: 180mm Adjustment for Y direction: 50mm X Y-axis scale adjustment: 1 circle = 3mm A subdivision marks= 0.05mm The lead screws are M14x3

Apple to : Mini drill and drill bracket series and other suitable machine 。

Features: 1. The table is suitable for Mini Drill and drill bracket series. 2. It can also apply to other suitable machine.

3. The work table is composed of several adjustable dovetail slotaluminum alloy composition, can guarantee the minimumspace and ensure the accuracy.

4. The working table with three T shaped groove, standard size is 15x8x6mm.

5. Scale is in front of the movable positioning.

6. adjustment handwheel rotates a circle of 3mm. A lattice is equal to 0.05mm.

7. The X axis Y axis distance is 180mm, the stroke is 50mm.

8. Working table size is 350x100mm and the height of 122mm, including two working clamp.

9. Mini multifunctional working table 6350,The table is suitable for mini drill and drill bracket series.

10. It can also be applied to other suitable machines.

Table size: 350 × 100mm. Hand wheel with adjustable scale:A ring=1.5mm.
Zero adjustment handwheel rotates a circle of 1.25mm. A lattice is equal to 0.05mm.
Adjustment in X direction: 180mm. Adjustment in Y direction: 50 mm. Distance between grooves : 34mm
The table is suitable for mini drill and drill bracket series. It can also be applied to other suitable machines.
The work table is composed of several adjustable dovetail slot aluminum alloy composition, can guarantee the minimum space and ensure the accuracy.

User questions & answers

Question:	Will this work for a 80% lower reciver
Answer:	Yes ! This worktable can do it ! if you have any problem about the produce ! please you email us ! we will give you a full settlement. Thanks for your understanding ! Have a nice day and best regards ! Kind regards !
Question:	What tolerances should I expect
Answer:	Tolerances about 0.5mm-1MM. If you have any problem about the produce , please you email us ! we will give you a full settlement. Thanks for your understanding ! Have a nice day and best regards ! Kind regards !
Question:	Has anyone that bought this tried using it for light gunsmithing jobs
Answer:	I doubt that it is rigid enough for quality work. I bought this because it's lightweight. It's easy for a 70 year old to use, but it's not strong like the Grizzly. I did get some chatter just milling untempered aluminum. I bought the heaviest (most expensive) version of this little table.
Question:	What is the base made out of
Answer:	The base is made out of cast iron ! if you have any problem about the produce ! please you email us ! we will give you a full settlement. Thanks for your understanding ! Have a nice day and best regards ! Kind regards !