Why wouldn't this work?

I've made a decision on a casting project I want to, which would require making a pattern. I want to carve this pattern from wood, so it's reusable.

But I'm kinda lazy and really artistically lacking, so chiseling the design is out.

I have a Dremel, with all sorts of bits for all sorts of things, but I also have a new drill press.

Would I be able to use an end mill in the drill press to cut wood? Or maybe mdf?

Everywhere I've found on Google, people are trying to mill metal on their drill press, and lateral load seems to be a big issue. I think wood, like say poplar or cedar, would be easier on the press to cut than metal, as long as I set my speeds right with the end mill.

This would be worlds easier if I had a scroll saw or band saw, I could cut out all the shapes and glue them to a backer, but I don't have either. At best, I have a jig saw, which would be a huge pain to setup to cut small pieces with.

I'm just thinking with an end mill on the press, I could guide the board around the bit by the lines drawn, and have a nice uniform, even cut around everything.

It would most like be 1/8" end mill, if that would make a difference being on the thinner side.

Essentially what you are describing is a router. Only via drill press.

Id think that with slow feed rate, gentle pressure, and sharp end mills you will be ok.

Id also think that a router bit in the drill press would give a better finish.

I gather from the scroll/band saw comment that the shape is relatively 2D? Use a router?

Edit: too slow

I don't have a router, or know anyone with one. I guess there's always harbor freight. Guessing a plunge router would be better for tracing shapes than one mounted in a cabinet or table.

I did see people mention using router bits in the press, a lot of burning and chipping resulted. While that's not a big problem, it could be with some shapes. Regardless I'd have to file draft onto the edges so chipping would probably save some work there.

What I really need, and can't afford, is the pretty desktop cnc machine I didn't know existed until today. Actually, I think I'm going to go price those right now.

Edit: yea, definitely cannot afford desktop cnc.

I think your problem is that a drill press is slow. It's designed to cut straight down through the stock and slow is usually good for that. To cut material a router spins at something like 20,000 rpm. I'd say, find a cheapy router on CL or a pawn shop and build yourself a router table. You'll find it's an amazingly handy setup to shape material.

Might have a spare scroll saw, will check when I'm not 900 miles from home

I believe there is a router-type attachment for Dremels. I'm sure it's no good for doing any kind of serious work, but for smaller piecework like you're describing, it might get the job done without breaking the bank.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/p_wk3q8jWcs

Probably cheaper to buy a whole table...

wae wrote: I believe there is a router-type attachment for Dremels. I'm sure it's no good for doing any kind of serious work, but for smaller piecework like you're describing, it might get the job done without breaking the bank.

I've never had any luck with the Dremel router attachments. They do okayish but I found with use the cup seems to work loose and you don't get a consistent depth. Either that or you need to check it every 3 minutes which is highly inconvenient. I only really use mine on door hinges and it is never very good.

You wouldn't catch me trying to mill something by moving the workpiece around by hand near a spinning bit - I like having all my fingers.

What we have here is a situation where stepping back a century in technology is what you need.

I guarantee you can find a coping saw for under $10 at any hardware store. They are capable of tight radius cuts, straight cuts and compound angles. Cheap and effective. Far safer than a router bit in a drill press. If you can get the spindle speed up high enough to work it will kick back on you and ruin your work piece.