Is is safe to put a router bit in a drill press?

Question

The project I'm working on requires a fairly complicated cut with a 1/4 dado router bit into white pine. Although the cut can be done on a router table, it would be a much easier setup to build a jig on the table of my drill press. That way, I would be able to see where the bit is going at all times and use the press to plunge the bit. The problem is that the top speed of the drill press is 3500 rpm, and the router bit was designed to run around 10,000 rpm.

First off. Is this safe?
Will the bit cut cleanly, or just tear the wood up?
Could I damage the bit doing this?

Answer 1

The speed issue would normally be a problem, but cutting white pine (extreemly soft wood) should be no problem with 3500 rpm, if you make several passes before your finishing pass you will also reduce the risk of blow-out. The saftey issue is what I would consider most. I would make sure that the chuck of the drill is cranked as tight as you can, and for every 1 minute that you are rinning it I would check for tightness. My experience (10 years in the industry) would recomend that if you can do it on a router table...do it.

Answer 2

There are all sorts of cutters made for drill presses. Some of them are 2"-3" or more wide. Some are very small.

I really don't see the difference between some of those cutters and a router bit.

I wouldn't think one second about using a router bit at slow speed in a drill press if I had a certain task I felt suited the purpose.

One rule of thumb I always use is if I turn on the machine, and it seems scarry, it probably is. For instance, I'd feel very uneasy using a 3.5" forstner bit in a drill press. It would just scare me looking at it even at 500-600 RMP unless there was a way that I could very securely clamp the item being drilled.

I have also found that at 10,000rpm often times these router bits will burn the wood. Being able to slow it down may very well decrease the burning. As noted by another resonder, going slower would be appropriate at the slower speed.

Now using a slow speed bit in a 10,000 RPM router should send up many danger signals and would certainly require the answering of more questions prior to use.

One other point though, if you can do it with a plunge router, how about a relatively small forstner bit? They make a pretty clean cut but they would leave a little mark at the bottom of each plunge.

Answer 3

No, this is not safe.

As other have said, the router bit is meant to spin much faster. At a slower speed, it will not only give you a rough cut, but may also catch the wood and kick it back. Since you appear to be doing this freehand, this is a very serious risk. Depending on how you hold the piece, your hands could be pulled toward the blade.

Additionally, a drill press doesn't have the require safety fences. If you use one hand to hold the head down, your piece will only be supported by the other hand. Even if you lock the head down, the bit will be spinning unguarded.

To accomplish your task, you can use a plunge router with a modified base. For most routers, the base plate (the one that contacts the surface) can be removed. You can make a new one out of 3/4" plexiglass. Cut out square base with a hole in the middle that will accomodate the bit. Then, screw the plexiglass bit onto the router base. This will allow you to make plunge cuts and still see where your bit is.

Answer 4

It isn't going to work. A drill press doesn't turn the bit fast enough, at any belt setting, to work with a Router bit. As slow as the bit would be turning it would dig in to the wood. I wouldn't even recommend trying it as when it digs in it will probably throw that piece of wood across the room. If it throws it at you it could cause a grave injury. If you have a good detail sander, patience and a steady hand you can do a pretty good round over by sanding. A lot depends on the size of the wood and how much rounding you want.

Answer 5

You have identified the problem. The drill press does not spin fast enough for a router bit. I dont know about the safe part, but it will definitely not cut clean, will tear up the wood and bit.

Answer 6

Each bit has an ideal number of cuts per inch that it will make. To achieve the proper # of CPI you must use the proper feed rate for the speed that the bit is moving. If the bit is moving slower you must feed slower. If the bit is spinning faster you must feed faster. As far as safety is concerned, you don't need to worry about the carbide flying off, but I would be concerned about the complete lack of any type of guarding aroung the bit, it would be far too simple to get your hand pulled into the bit if you try to take too deep of a cut or if you start climb-cutting. If you built the same jig you could use a plunge router with higher safety and likely better results, its the perfect excuse to buy a new tool that is extremely versatile.

Answer 7

the drill press will be fine. the router bit can be run at slower speeds without any concern. the clean cut, however, will be an issue. you will have to make several slow passes. when you get near the edge of the piece of wood there is a good chance that you will blow out the end grain of the wood. take your time and don't force the wood through. you will be fine.

Answer 8

a drill press is NOT A ROUTER!!!


routers are cheap, get one used on ebay or local new...new ones
work better.


my dad doesnt spend much on tools at all but at least he has a router

dremel makes a smaller router but its not too great

Answer 9

no!!!!!!!!!! there is a reason they are called router bits because they are made to go in a router not a drill press.

Answer 10

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