How to make a milling machine from a drill. Do-it-yourself drill cutter

Fans of making various things at home have appreciated the appearance on the market of such a tool as a hand mill as an alternative to a milling machine, despite all the possibilities that the latter gives.

Keeping a large-sized device at home is often inconvenient - it takes up too much space.

Manual

Small milling machines are now represented on the market in a fairly extensive range by almost all companies producing power tools.

Worth considering: a finished milling machine costs quite a lot of money, so sometimes you want to buy such a device, but there is no such possibility.

However, this is not a problem that can really stop true masters of their craft, since a router can be easily made by hand.

There are enough instructions for carrying out such a small feat at home, along with photo and video materials, attached drawings and detailed recommendations on the Internet.

The manufacture of such an instrument is available to many people who will be ready to spend several hours studying materials, drawings and the very process of creating an instrument.

Device and tasks

Simplified, the device of the milling device can be described as follows: the engine of the device transmits rotation to the spindle, on which the cutter is put on (special nozzle).

When arranging a hand tool, the cutter is inserted into a specialized chuck, collet or cam.

Do you know that: the main task of the tool is the processing of metal, wood, glass, ceramics, plexiglass or plastics.

A well-known example is the preparation of holes for door locks in a wooden sheet. It can also be threading or edging parts, milling grooves and cavities.

Rotation is provided by an AC motor. Nozzles can be used in a variety of ways, depending on the material to be milled.

The simplest material for milling is wood, therefore, as a rule, milling cutters for processing it will be the most common and cheapest.

For metals of varying degrees of hardness and viscosity, nozzles should be used that differ in their characteristics depending on the properties of the material being processed.

Of course, cutters for wood or metals are not suitable for processing glass or ceramics; for such materials, it is necessary to select cutters with other characteristics.

Manufacturing

Of course, the main element of the milling fixture will be the engine. The simplest solution would be to select an electric motor that runs on a conventional 220 volt network.

This can serve as an engine from household appliances available at home. For example, an electric motor suitable for power and speed from a drill, hammer drill or grinder

Note: engines from small devices like a drill, for example, will not work for the task.

First you need to decide on the base for mounting the electric motor, which can be made of wood, plywood, chipboard or durable plastic. Since any engine is equipped with special fasteners for bolts, you can use them or special fasteners.

Expert advice: fastening is unlikely to be done independently due to the complexity of the design, so it makes sense to turn to the masters who are able to implement such a task.

Advantages and disadvantages

There are quite obvious advantages in making a homemade router compared to buying a similar tool in a store:

• costs are significantly lower than when buying a finished tool;
• ease of assembly of the entire structure;
• the possibility of turning a manual mill into a machine;
• processing of various types of surfaces.

Flaws:

• low processing speed;
• less strength compared to factory tools.

One way or another, the decision to buy a tool in a store or a preference for a home-made device remains with the master himself.

Watch the video in which an experienced craftsman tells how to make a milling machine from a drill:

The relevance of the question of how to make a router from a drill with your own hands is explained by the fact that not all home craftsmen can afford to purchase expensive serial models. Meanwhile, the usefulness of such a device and the need for its use in many situations (construction and repair work, the manufacture of all kinds of wood structures, the decorative design of products from various materials) are undeniable.

Using a milling cutter equipped with the appropriate working tool, you can successfully mill wood products, form edges of various configurations on them, prepare seats for door locks and hinges, create grooves on wooden parts, and solve many other technological problems.

Components and assembly algorithm

It is possible to make a milling machine, which almost every home master has, but it should be borne in mind that such a device cannot fully replace the serial model. This is explained by the fact that the cartridge of a conventional hand drill is capable of rotating at a speed of 3000 rpm, while a serial milling cutter is able to ensure the rotation of the tool used at a speed of up to 30,000 rpm. In addition, the gearbox of a household electric drill is not designed for intense loads, which will quickly bring it to a faulty state.

Drill router

Meanwhile, the simplest milling cutter, made from improvised materials with minimal financial costs, is able to successfully cope with many technological tasks. To make your milling machine from an electric drill, you must find the following materials and tools:

1. several pieces of chipboard or thick plywood;
2. a clamp with which the drill will be fixed on the base of the device;
3. bolts, screws and other fasteners;
4. feather drill or drill bit with a diameter of 40 mm;
5. standard tool kit.

The process of assembling a homemade router itself takes place according to the following algorithm.

• The base of the future router is assembled from sheets of chipboard or plywood, which includes a horizontal base and a vertical part on which an electric drill will be fixed. The dimensions of the chipboard or plywood sheets from which such a structure will be made are calculated depending on the dimensions of the electric drill used as the basis of a home-made machine.
• A hole with a diameter of 40 mm is drilled in the horizontal base of the device, which is necessary in order to ensure the access of the tool to the processing area.
• A clamp is attached to the vertical stand of the device with a bolt, in which an electric drill is fixed. In this case, the drill should be positioned so that the lower end of its cartridge is a few millimeters from the horizontal base of the router.
• To make the position of the drill on the vertical stand more stable, you can fix a small wooden block in its upper part, which will act as a stop.

Adjusting the depth of cut when using such a router is carried out by changing the position of the electric drill in the clamp fixing it.

How to make the milling machine of the above design more convenient and functional? To do this, it can be equipped with a simple microlift, which will be responsible for moving the electric drill in the vertical direction. For the manufacture of such an elevator, you will need the following consumables and components:

1. two metal rods that will act as guide elements;
2. a platform (carriage) for fixing an electric drill, made of chipboard or thick plywood;
3. threaded axle and nut, which will be responsible for moving the electric drill in the vertical direction;
4. elements that ensure the fixation of the electric drill in the required position.

The principle by which such a homemade router works is quite simple and is as follows.

• When the threaded axis rotates, the carriage with the drill fixed to it moves in the vertical direction.
• After the electric drill and the tool fixed in its chuck are set in the required position, the carriage is fixed with the help of fasteners.

Naturally, the entire design of such a home-made router, the operation of which is well demonstrated by the video, must be fixed on a solid foundation. The surface of a desktop or workbench can act as the latter.

Machine from an old electric motor

With the help of which many technological operations are quite successfully performed, it can be made without the use of an electric drill. In order to make such a device, you will need the following consumables and accessories.

When repairing and arranging an apartment, sometimes it is necessary to cut a groove or beautifully grind the end of the board. For this, it is not necessary to buy an expensive power tool. You can make a router from a drill with your own hands. The principle of torque transmission to the spindle is identical for the units. It is enough to make a milling table for the drill, and you can use it as a milling cutter. Options for fixing the tool body can be different. The main thing is that there are no distortions and backlashes.

Attention! An impact drill cannot be used as a milling cutter.

Materials and tools

Usually in any garage or home workshop it is easy to find the necessary tools. A screwdriver can be replaced with a Phillips screwdriver, a jigsaw with a hacksaw.

The design of the milling cutter from a drill

Given the power and number of revolutions, you can only make a light milling cutter from a drill. For high-quality processing of the board, the working tool must be fixed on the table, and the workpiece must be moved. The top-mounted tool design allows complex configurations to be made. Each craftsman comes up with his own design. They differ in the mounting and location of the electric drill.

Table with router

Facing and grooving for the tenon-groove connection is conveniently done using a milling table with a protruding tool. It has a simple design, drawings are easy to develop independently. A small workbench will do.

The lid flips over. A hole is cut into it. Its size is approximately 5 mm larger than the maximum diameter of the cutter to be used. A bar is mounted perpendicular to the table. It is installed parallel to the side at such a distance that the spindle axis of the attached electric drill coincides with the center of the hole.

The body of the power tool is attached to the bar with clamps and stops. In the normal state of the table, the chuck should be located under the cover, and the cutter inserted into it should protrude. During processing, the wooden part moves along the table, resting against the template, milling takes place.

The tool can be fixed in another way. The main thing is that the center of the hole coincides with the axis of the cutter. Switch and cartridge were available. All elements of the machine must be fixed rigidly, without distortions.

simple machine

The design of the machine for creating a router from a drill with your own hands consists of 3 main parts cut out of plywood:

• sole;
• rack;
• scarf.

They must be strictly perpendicular. A hole is made in the sole for the exit of the tool. The stand is equal in width to the size of the body of the electric drill and 20 mm longer. A drill is attached to it using a clamp located above the cartridge. It is additionally fixed with a stop pressing the back side of the body on the back side of the spindle, or with a second clamp below the handle. The gusset provides structural rigidity. One side is adjacent to the sole, the second to the counter.

When cutting the sole - the base of the structure, it is necessary to draw a square on plywood, with sides equal to the width of the body of the electric drill. On the two adjacent sides, add strips equal to the thickness of the plywood to it. Mark the center of the tool and make a hole with a core or pen drill.

Cut out the sole along the outline. The corner opposite to the connection of the rack and the scarf must be rounded. On the reverse side, drill holes of 4 mm and make recesses - hidden under the heads of self-tapping screws, with an 8 mm drill. Otherwise, the screw heads will protrude and scratch the table, break the fit of the sole. A distortion is formed.

From below, thin rubber or a piece of linoleum can be glued onto the sole. This will ensure smooth sliding when the router is working.

Using a square, install the rack in place and screw it on with screws. The kerchief is attached with one side to the base, the second to the stand, providing structural rigidity. The position of the electric drill is noted when the tool falls below the sole. The clamp and stop are screwed on. For convenience, the sole can be made of plexiglass.

Machine with vertical movement of the cutter

The disadvantage of a simple machine is the inability to make blind keyways and selections. The tool can enter the board only from the side of the butt. A small addition will allow the drill to completely replace a lightweight router.

The sole is made longer. A massive board with a vertically fixed U-shaped profile is screwed to it - 2 pieces. These are guides. A drill is installed on the bar on one side, and 2 rails are screwed on the other, which are inserted into metal profiles. From below, a screw is installed in the sole, which serves as a stop when moving the body of the electric drill down.

Having the experience of a locksmith and the necessary set of parts, you can install a home-made router on the side cylindrical racks. From below, springs are put on them, lifting the drill up.

Fastening is carried out with metal corners, brackets and self-tapping screws. Depth of milling is regulated by screws stops.

Assembly algorithm

Before you make a router from a drill, you should prepare all the necessary materials and a drawing, indicating the dimensions and how the drill will be attached, replacing the manual router.

1. Mark the center of the spindle axis on the table or sole.
2. Cut a hole for the tool exit.
3. Put the electric drill on the stand and mark the position of the clamp and stop, fix them.
4. Screw the stand and kerchief strictly at a right angle.
5. Fix the tool body on the base.

A do-it-yourself machine must be durable, without backlash and distortion. Then it will be possible to work on it, like a milling cutter.

Advantages and disadvantages of the router

The main advantage of the machine for milling with an electric drill is that it is not necessary to buy an expensive milling cutter to perform single operations. On a homemade fixture, it is easy to make several grooves, process the edge of the shelf.

In an electric drill, the drill is inserted into the chuck. When working on a homemade milling cutter, you need to use a cutter for a drill. The stores have a large selection:

• cylindrical;
• terminal;
• end;
• corner;
• curly;
• disk.

All of them have a shank and are easily mounted in the chuck. Tool change is fast. The disadvantage of the chuck is that it can loosen during operation, especially if the tool vibrates. It is necessary to constantly check and tighten the fastening.

Before you make a milling cutter from a drill, you should decide on the amount of work. A homemade milling cutter is suitable for performing home repair work with an electric drill, individual operations for processing wooden parts. It is impossible to mill with a drill for a long time and with heavy loads.

The main disadvantage of a milling machine from a drill is a low number of revolutions. When drilling, cutting occurs over a small area. Cleanliness is not needed, the wood is processed into shavings. On a drilling tool, the maximum rotation reaches 3000 rpm. While the lightest router has a minimum value of 4000 rpm. Every specialist knows that the cleanliness of processing depends on the speed of rotation of the tool. The faster the cutter rotates, the more beautiful the edge and end face of the key. After processing on a homemade machine, the treated areas will have to be sanded for a long time.

The engine on a drilling tool is much weaker than a milling tool. It is designed for short duration. He will not be able to work at maximum power for a long time. During milling with a drill, it must be constantly turned off, let it cool.

A homemade machine is suitable for one-time work. For permanent it is better to purchase a milling cutter.

This, as already noted, is the simplest version of a homemade router. If there is a desire, then it makes sense to make a more complex design with your own hands. In particular, by installing the simplest microlift on the router, you can move the drill up and down without touching the clamps. It's easy to make.

We need 2 guide elements - they may well be metal rods. To fix the drill from thick plywood or chipboard, we make a special carriage. You will also need a threaded axle and a nut. Fixing the tool in the desired position is carried out using the appropriate elements. The principle of operation of such a homemade router is as follows. By rotating the threaded axle in one direction or the other, you move the carriage up or down. After the drill is set in the required position, the tool is fixed with the help of fasteners.

At home, you can create an even more complex design. Here we need an old electric motor, for example, from a used washing machine. You will also need a drill chuck - we will then install a cutting tool in it. In order to connect this unit to the electric motor, you need an adapter. Also prepare a sheet of thick plywood or chipboard. The base and vertical stand will be made from this material.

It should be noted that not every electric motor is suitable for a homemade router. The most optimal option is a unit with a power of 500 to 1,100 watts. When assembling such a machine, at each stage of work it is necessary to carefully control such a moment as the absence of backlash in the contacting elements. If any are identified, they should be eliminated immediately. This requirement is important, because the presence of backlash will negatively affect the quality and accuracy of the work performed. The cutting tool is equally important. The accuracy of processing directly depends on its quality. Therefore, it is recommended not to save here.

For such a homemade machine, you will also need a reliable frame structure. It is on it that the foundation will then be installed. Perhaps you already have a workbench in your workshop. In this case, the task is greatly simplified, because the base of the machine can be fixed on its surface. However, to weld such a design from metal corners. Do not forget that the electric motor has a fairly decent weight. Accordingly, the main criterion here should be reliability. It is also important to place the “start-start” button in a convenient place, because a situation may well arise when an emergency stop of the machine is required.

Regardless of the option chosen, the advantages of a home-made design are obvious. For example, such a machine will cost much less than professional equipment. In addition, it can be used to perform many different tasks. The process of assembling the machine itself is very simple - even a novice home master can handle this task. No problems should arise during operation - subject to timely maintenance. Of course, a home-made machine also has disadvantages, such as the low speed of processing parts. However, this can be reconciled. Moreover, to perform simple tasks, such a milling cutter will be quite enough. It is only necessary that the design is reliable and has a sufficient margin of safety.

Fans of making something at home often ask themselves the question: “Is it possible to assemble a router from a drill with your own hands?”. This idea has a fairly solid foundation in the form of the high cost of a professional profile tool. The price of a modern milling machine can seriously hit the home budget, and you will not have to use it so often. It turns out that it is quite possible to make such a device on your own.

Most often, such a tool is very useful when cottage house renovation or building a private cottage. With such a unit, complex woodworking work can be carried out right at home. You will have access to:

• milling of wooden parts;
• edge formation;
• creation of special connecting parts;
• other woodworking;

A large number of advantages do not always outweigh the inflated price of the tool, which, at the end of the repair, will gather dust in the pantry. Therefore, a homemade manual router is gaining more and more popularity among homeowners.

Device manufacturing

Before proceeding directly to the assembly procedure, you need to take care of a special stand - milling table. This element can be assembled from thick plywood or chipboard panels.

Get the right parts:

• sheets of plywood or chipboard with a thickness of at least twelve millimeters;
• four support bars;
• clamp for fixing the drill on the table;

Let's start the assembly process. Make holes for the bolts in the main vertical wall and fix the guide clamp.

After that, make a round hole in the middle of the thrust sheet. Professionals advise using for these purposes electric jigsaw, but a simple hacksaw will do. The final stage is the connection of all parts into a single structure using self-tapping screws or superglue. The table is ready, the most important thing left is to make the router itself.

Main elements of the device

At the heart of a good milling machine is electric drive. Its power should not be lower than 500 watts. Calculate this figure depending on the thickness of the wooden parts that you plan to process. The most suitable option is a drill, hammer drill or grinder with a power of 500 to 1100 watts. The best choice, in terms of price and reliability, is a drill.

When buying, you should pay special attention to the quality characteristics of the drill, because later it can be used for its intended purpose.

To assemble the entire system, you will need the following components:

• good electric drill;

• cutter - an element that is purchased separately in a specialized store;

• special cartridge for fixing.

The last part is connected to the drill by means of adapter, which will have to be selected separately, depending on the type of cutter. Installing such an adapter is problematic, but it is quite possible at home.

Assembly sequence

When making a milling machine, you must follow some guidelines that will help you avoid mistakes. Particular attention should be paid to lift to adjust- it is fixed on the table top to compensate for the force of revolutions. For the manufacture of this part, dense plywood is used.

It is very important to achieve solidity in the design, avoid the use of straps, cables, small nails and rails. The cutter itself is then mounted on the motor shaft. As a result, the elevator will include:

• carriages;
• body, which will bear the main load;
• threaded axle;
• fastening for fixing;
• sliding type skids.

When the threaded axis rotates, the carriage moves along with the motor. It moves it up or down along the axis line. The skids are designed to limit and guide movement.

Height restrictions must be set in advance while the device is stationary. By fixing the fixing elements in the required position, you will protect yourself and your work.

It is extremely important to follow smooth movement of the carriage. Achieve the most stable position in order to exclude the occurrence of marriage and irregularities in the processing of wood. Experienced craftsmen make special gears and rotary levers, which are then included in the overall control system.

So, following simple tips, you can assemble a router from an ordinary drill. Carefully customize the details and use only high-quality materials. Do not try to save money on a drill, remember when the construction is over, you can disassemble the machine and use it for its intended purpose. Do not rush to throw away the table and the elevator after - they can be disassembled into separate elements and compactly packed in a box until the next repair. That is why professionals use only construction screws for connection.