Milescraft 1097 Tool Stand Drill Press for Rotary Tools

by Milescraft

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Use most rotary tools as a small scale precision drill press. Rack and pinion gearing allows smooth controlled plunge. Scale with depth stop allows depth control and precise repeatability. Sturdy cast aluminum base provides sturdy work area. Stong 13.5 inch metal tube allows drilling of objects up to 5 inches in height. Lock rotary tool in horizontal position for hands free sanding or polishing.

Product Description

The Milescraft 1097 is a Tool Stand Drill Press for Rotary Tools. Rack and pinion gearing allows smooth controlled plunge. Scale with depth stop allows depth control and precise repeatability. Sturdy cast aluminum base provides sturdy work area. Stong 13.5 inch metal tube allows drilling of objects up to 5 inches in height. Lock rotary tool in horizontal position for hands free sanding or polishing.   Features: Sturdy metal head fits most Dremel style rotary tools Spring loaded metal rack and pinion gearing for smoothe controlled drilling Scale with depth stop allows precised depth control and repeatability 36 square inch metal base with planed surface has clamping platforms or mounting holes for stability Lock tools in horizontal position for hands free use What's In the Box: Milescraft 1097 Tool Stand Drill Press for Rotary Tools

Product Details

Product Manual [1.61mb PDF]

• Shipping Weight: 4.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0001GMENE
• Item model number: 1097
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,662 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)
  • #63 in Home Improvement > Power & Hand Tools > Power Tool Accessories > Rotary Tool Accessories

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

101 of 102 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great stand for your rotary tool, but it has its limits., April 16, 2005

By 

R. King (Michigan, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Milescraft 1097 Tool Stand Drill Press for Rotary Tools (Tools & Home Improvement)

The Milescraft Rotary Tool Stand is a useful accessory for your rotary tools. It can be used for such things as a drill press or to just hold your rotary tool allowing you to better hold the part you are working with (like having a third hand).

However, I need to point out that this stand is not designed to do precession work with your rotary tool. If you are looking for something small to do any drilling that requires a tight tolerance, you maybe better off looking at looking one of the many small table top drill presses available that don't cost too much more.

Assembly and disassembly (for easy storage) is fast and easy. The instructions that come with it are easy to follow too.

The base is die cast aluminum and lightweight measuring about 7" x 10" with a work area of 6" x 6". A heaver cast iron base would have been nice to make the unit more stable. However for small light work the stand is stable and it also comes with three #8 screws and rubber feet to allow you to screw the base to your work bench to improve stability.

The vertical support column is a lightweight tube that presses into the base and is held secure with a single bolt at the back of the base. The over all height of the stand is about 15", including the base. The "tool holder bracket" can easily be adjusted anywhere up or down the vertical tube which gives you about 12" of adjustment vertically. A heaver threaded vertical support column would have been nice feature to help improve stability. But the press fit of the tube into the base are a nice tight fit.

This stand is design to be used as a drill press when your rotary tool mounted in the vertical position, but as I pointed out earlier, it is not for precession drilling. The tool holder bracket is designed to allow approximately 2-1/2" of travel when used as a drill press. However the tool holder bracket can be adjusted anywhere along the vertical column for short or taller jobs. There is also an adjustable depth gage with a depth stop collar to control the depth of your drill which is nice if you need to repeat your drill depth.

I did find a slight play in the "tool holder bracket" while using it as a drill press, but I was able to easily eliminate just about all of the extra play by placing a thin piece of plastic between the "depth shaft" and the lower guides.

Pros:
Lightweight
Easy to assemble and disassemble for easy storage
Holds rotary tool vertically or horizontally for ease of working
Can be used as a mini drill press
Can be easily fastened (screwed) to your work bench for added stability

Cons:
Lightweight base and vertical column makes the stand not stable as it could be if not fastened down.
Loose fitting design when used as a drill press allowed extra play (not for precession work)

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Rotary Tool Stand (Mini Drill Press for a Dremel), August 5, 2005

By 

Richard H. Franklin "Wood Carver" (Red Hook, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Milescraft 1097 Tool Stand Drill Press for Rotary Tools (Tools & Home Improvement)

This is a light weight tool, but is well suited for model making and the drilling of small parts. The overall quality of the assembly is lacking somewhat. the plastic control parts are weak, but if you are handy, you can rebuild them with stronger materials. It is essential that the unit be mounted on a larger base and that this base be clamped to the work table. Failure to do so could result in damage and or injury. I have taken steps to correct these issues. I am presently using the unit to drill hiles in jewelry and carvings.

The price is fair for the quality of goods recieved, and met my needs. However if you are looking for absolute precision, this unit will not measure up.

27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good for PCB's, August 15, 2005

By 

Rob S "Rob" (Brooklyn, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Milescraft 1097 Tool Stand Drill Press for Rotary Tools (Tools & Home Improvement)

I'm using the press to drill home-etched PCB's. It works well. Using the drill before etching, however, there is a bit of slippage. Maybe 1/20th of an inch. However, after the board has been etched, slippage is not a problem since the copper guides the drill. I'm using a dremel on its highest speed and resharped solid-carbide drill bits.