Sack of crap Dremel Workstation - need help

[Aggrajag]

I have a Dremel 3000 so it seemed like a good idea a few months ago to buy the Dremel Workstation to turn it into a drill press for when I want vertical holes to stack cut using my scroll saw.

The blessed thing is a degree or two off at rest and then seems to get worse when you pull it down to drill - loads of people have this problem, if only I'd read more reviews, but I've not found any fixes online aside from using a damned rubber band to pull it slightly to one side. It's cheap, it's crap, but I have it and I'd rather try to fix it than buy something else.

Does anyone know if any of the grubs screws adjust it? I've fiddled but didn't seem to get anything useful.

 

[Myfordman]

It is very difficult design problem to hold vertical registration on a round column slide repeatably which is why decent machine use a pair of round columns or better still, a dovetail column. I don't think it will be fixable to give quality result.

Ditch it and think of it as a learning exercise.

 

[Aggrajag]

I actually don't think it's the column, it's the plastic "disc" that you can rotate to alter the angle - the default is slightly off and won't turn further. Hard to explain but I'm sure it's only the front half of the build that's not true.

But yeah, as a learning curve it's steep - not only do I need a drill press I'll have to get another drill (won't I?)

 

[MattRoberts]

The dremel is great for those occasions where you need a small rotary tool, but that's all. If you try and use it as a drill press or Plunge Router or whatever else, then it is useless.

I have the drill press attachment, and the only thing I use it for is to hold the dremel at the correct angle to sharpen my tablesaw blade

 

[Aggrajag]

I've pretty much no idea here, but I do have a cordless 18v Makita drill that's pretty fabulous - is it possible to buy something that it fastens to securely, reliably and most importantly vertically?

 

[ED65]

Angled bed?

If the angle that it's off by is consistent that would fix the problem, but it doesn't sound like it does hold the same angle.

 

[Aggrajag]

I'm going to try the rubberband solution and failing that bin it and buy a small & cheap dedicated drill press. (After reading more reviews!)

 

[marcros]

what about something like this? it may look like it is taking the micky but it would do the job well. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pillar-Drill- ... SwLpdW~UxV

i have just picked one that was nuy it now on ebay rather than an auction. If you are patient, the going rate is from £20, albeit for a single speed non painted up one.

 

[Aggrajag]

what about something like this?

No thanks - I use it for drum sanding on occasion so I don't think that would work

 

[marcros]

ah, probably not then!