On Fri, 23 Apr 2010 21:58:43 -0700, "Jon Danniken"
wrote:

Howdy,

I am building a half-rack squat rack for weightlifting. For a conceptual
reference, here is a picture of one particular commercially available unit:
http://i42.tinypic.com/2e3rcdc.jpg

For my version, I am using 3"x3" square steel tubing with an 11 gauge
(~1/8") wall thickness. The vertical members will be drilled through in a
couple dozen locations (for mounting the bar holders and safeties to), each
to a diameter of one inch.

And therein lies my issue.

My drill press is a small bench mount Delta, with a 1/4hp motor, two inch
plunge depth, and a 1/2 inch chuck. My first thought is to use a Silver and
Demming (reduced shank) drill bit, 1/2" shank, 1" drill.

The plan is to set it up outside, build a sturdy dowelled jig for locating
purposes, and use water as coolant. I will drill through one side, then flip
it over to drill the other side.

I come to you here today for a reality check. While I realize that this it
will take awhile, this being a one-off project means I am okay with it
taking several days to complete the drilling cycle.

My main concern, then, is this: am I out of my tree to consider drilling one
inch holes in 1/8" material with a 1/4 horsepower drill press?

Thank you for any and all perspectives you would be so kind as to convey to
me,

Jon

Frankly Jon..you would be better served if you made up templates to mark
your holes, center punch them..and then use a 1/2" drill motor.

While you could perhaps(not likely) drill them with a 1/4hp drill
press..you will have to work very slowly, and probably increasingly
bigger holes first.

A 1" drill isnt magic..but it takes some OOMPH to actually drill with
one.

You can make templates out of file folder cardboard every easily.

And Id at least use a 3/16" drill for a pilot drill.

The other option..would be to use a UniBit, with a 1/2" drill.

You might even get by with a 3/8" DECENT drill
motor...but...cringe....I personally would rather not.

Gunner


"First Law of Leftist Debate
The more you present a leftist with factual evidence
that is counter to his preconceived world view and the
more difficult it becomes for him to refute it without
losing face the chance of him calling you a racist, bigot,
homophobe approaches infinity.

This is despite the thread you are in having not mentioned
race or sexual preference in any way that is relevant to
the subject." Grey Ghost