Art of Drill Drifts: A Guide to Easy Tool Removal
In the world of machining, there’s a simple yet indispensable tool that often goes unnoticed: the drill drift. These wedge-shaped wonders are used to effortlessly remove drills and other tapered tooling from Morse Taper spindles or sockets. Today, we’ll delve into the fascinating world of drill drifts and explore their various types and applications.
The Drill Drift Unveiled
A drill drift, also known as a wedge-shaped drift, is a steel wedge specifically designed for dislodging tapered shank tools from spindles, sockets, and sleeves. They may look unassuming, but their functionality is essential for anyone working with machining equipment.
The Technique
Removing a tool from a Morse Taper socket using a drill drift is a precise art:
- Select the Right Size: Drill drift come in various sizes, typically marked with a number. Ensure you have the correct size for your tool.
- Insert the Key: The flat tapered key of the drill drift is designed to fit into the spindle chuck’s slot.
- Apply Force: With the drill drift securely inserted, gently strike it with a soft hammer. The impact jars the taper shank tool loose.
- Eject with Ease: The taper shank tool should now easily slide out of the socket.
Benefits of Drill Drifts
These unassuming tools offer a multitude of benefits:
- Simplicity: Drill drifts provide a straightforward method for ejecting Morse Taper tools from machines.
- Quality Construction: They are typically manufactured from high-quality tool steel, ensuring durability and reliability.
- Safe Removal: Using a drill drift reduces the risk of damaging the machine or injuring yourself compared to other methods that involve hammering the spindle directly.
- Variety of Sizes: Drill drift are available in different sizes to accommodate various tooling needs.
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Advanced Options
While traditional drill drifts serve their purpose well, there are some innovative options worth exploring:
- Automatic Drifts: These drifts come with a built-in hammering mechanism, reducing the need for external hammers.
- Swedish Ingenuity: Some Scandinavian-made drifts, like the one from Sweden featured in the video, offer a unique and elegant solution for tool removal.
- Brevitus Drill Drift: The Brevitus drill drift, a U.S. patented marvel, operates much like a jackknife, making tool removal an efficient and almost enjoyable process.
Types of Drill Drifts and Their Product Models
- Ejecting Drill Drifts. Ejecting drill drifts are a type of drill drift that uses a spring mechanism to eject the drill bit or tool from the taper joint. This makes them easier to use than traditional drill drifts, which require a hammer to remove the tool.
- Bharat Tools Drill Drift. Bharat Tools drill drifts are made from high-quality steel and are available in a variety of sizes and taper angles. They are a good choice for general-purpose drilling applications.
- WRKK Drill Drift. WRKK drill drifts are made from hardened steel and are designed for heavy-duty applications. They are a good choice for drilling in tough materials, such as metal and concrete.
- MME Carbide Tipped Parallel Barrel Drift. MME carbide-tipped parallel barrel drifts are made from high-speed steel and have a carbide tip for increased durability. They are a good choice for drilling in hard materials, such as stainless steel and titanium.
- Drill Drift. Drill drifts are a generic term for a wedge-shaped tool used to remove a drill bit or other tapered shank tool from a spindle, socket, or sleeve. They are typically made from hardened steel and have a taper angle of 8° to 19°.
- Drift Key. Drift keys are used to turn drill drifts. They come in a variety of sizes to fit different drill drifts.
- Stainless Steel Reduced Shank MT3 Drill Drift Key. This drill drift key is made from stainless steel and has a reduced shank for use with MT3 taper joints. It is a good choice for applications where corrosion resistance is important.
Product Models
- Ejecting Drill Drifts: DD1-5
- Bharat Tools Drill Drift: BD-12
- WRKK Drill Drift: WD-20
- MME Carbide Tipped Parallel Barrel Drift: MME/D
- Drill Drift: DD-10
- Drift Key: DK-1
- Stainless Steel Reduced Shank MT3 Drill Drift Key: SK-MT3
Final Thoughts
Drill drifts might not be the flashiest tools in the machining world, but they are essential for anyone working with Morse Taper spindles and tooling. Whether you choose the traditional wedge-shaped drifts or opt for more advanced options, mastering their use will make your machining tasks smoother, safer, and more efficient.
So, the next time you’re confronted with a stubborn tool that won’t budge, remember the trusty drill drift—a small yet powerful tool that ensures your machining endeavors continue to run like clockwork.