Ecnerwal was referring to some short stubby standard drills. Usually
about 2/3rds the length of regular drills, fairly short flute length.
The pilot drill in your hole saw is probably an example.

One "problem" with a mill is that it is rigid. You turn the cranks, set
the table where you want it, drill (or mill) the hole. It's very
difficult to use any kind of fixture, (especially with drill bushings!),
because drill bushings depend on the drill moving the part and fixture
into the proper position. You can just mount a flat plate on the mill
table and use it like a fancy drill press. In your case, this would make
sense. A piece of 1/2" aluminum plate would work well.

Bill Schwab wrote:
Also look into short, stiff drills - all the metalwork suppliers have
them, they are less prone to wandering than longer drills if your
rough surface makes good punch marks a problem, or otherwise messes
with good drilling.


I have some center bits in a couple of sizes and use them for starting
holes on my mill. Is that what you mean?



And upgrade the light on the drill press (I have no idea what

you have now, but I do know that more light is better as far as really
seeing what you are doing).


Very true. I learned that a couple of months ago; forutnately the
damage was cosmetic, and was limited to a work piece. Still, I need
even more light than what I added as a result of that screw up.

One sincere question: folks are steering me from a mill to a drill
press, which while I have a small drill press, it sends me back to the
mill. What gives?

Bill