this post was submitted on 22 Jun 2025
156 points (99.4% liked)

3DPrinting

18596 readers
244 users here now

3DPrinting is a place where makers of all skill levels and walks of life can learn about and discuss 3D printing and development of 3D printed parts and devices.

The r/functionalprint community is now located at: or !functionalprint@fedia.io

There are CAD communities available at: !cad@lemmy.world or !freecad@lemmy.ml

Rules

If you need an easy way to host pictures, https://catbox.moe/ may be an option. Be ethical about what you post and donate if you are able or use this a lot. It is just an individual hosting content, not a company. The image embedding syntax for Lemmy is ![](URL)

Moderation policy: Light, mostly invisible

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
andypiper@lemmy.world
j4k3@lemmy.world
henry_rowengartner@lemmy.world
GrayBackgroundMusic@lemm.ee
156
3D-printed drill press can drill through metal — costs around $45 to create your own drill press (www.tomshardware.com)
submitted 20 hours ago by cm0002@lemmy.world to c/3dprinting@lemmy.world
11 comments fedilink hide all child comments
all 12 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] anarchiddy@lemmy.dbzer0.com 17 points 12 hours ago

Once you've finished this project, you're only a hop and skip away from this 3D printed Machining Mill. He uses the 3d printed pieces as a mold for reinforced concrete, so that it's heavy enough to resist the vibrations so that you can mill solid metal stock.

The single most impressive 3D printed DIY tool i've ever seen.

[–] elucubra@sopuli.xyz 4 points 9 hours ago

1st. You dou you. 2nd. Kudos for the design and ingenuity.

Now the buts:

I personally don't agree with the concept of "I'm going to print this just to prove I can", especially if it's subpar.

I have so much h to print, for me and for others, that I see this as a waste of time an filament.

My own personal point of view.

[–] fhein@lemmy.world 30 points 16 hours ago

Might as well link to the original post on reddit, I don't think Tom's Hardware much value in their summary of it :)

[–] SavinDWhales@lemmy.world 9 points 16 hours ago (4 children)

Also you might need a 400+ USD 3D Printer and the drill bits that can't be printed.

Drilling through soft metals like aluminum and brass is possible with 2mm drills.

...yay?

I mean, I'm all for printing fun stuff just to see if it works. Just don't make it sound like it's a cheap solution for people who need a drill press...

[–] Bronzebeard@lemm.ee 19 points 13 hours ago (2 children)

It's a 3d printing forum, most people here already have the 3d Printer for other uses. It's an option for those people. Not someone who is starting from scratch.

[–] Maalus@lemmy.world 4 points 13 hours ago

Except it is entirely counterproductive and a project for a project's sake.

There are stands that turn your regular drill into a "drill press". 100x more rigid than whatever this is. And with drill presses, you can't have deflection or it'll ruin every part you make.

Alternatively, there are $50 drill presses too. Probably "worth the money", but still more rigid than this.

[–] SavinDWhales@lemmy.world 1 points 11 hours ago

Well no, toms hardware is no 3d printer forum. I criticized their headline. Sorry if it came across another way.

[–] jawa22@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 points 7 hours ago

It's also very doable to get a for-real drill press for the price of making this.

[–] null_dot@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 12 hours ago (1 children)

It does kinda say this in the article.

I will add though, the main reason to use a drill press is precision, and it's hard to imagine a 3D printed structure wouldn't flex and warp during use.

[–] P1nkman@lemmy.world 2 points 12 hours ago

it's hard to imagine a 3D printed structure wouldn't flex and warp during use.

Depends in the filament used. Would not use PLA for this stuff.

[–] lime@feddit.nu 7 points 16 hours ago

i really like concrete guy's version as well.