A handy accessory

[BigTallDad]

I typically use a battery operated VSR for a TON of my work. You don't need a major woodworking shop to do this! I built a "cradle" to hold the drill and a "saddle" for the speed control. The crank screws in, via the tee nut, presses into the saddle and increases the speed on the drill. I can go from 15 rpm (on a Makita drill) to the max speed of the drill

When you put the drill in, it looks like this

This is a 4 stage antenna that I turned using the drill/cradle and a Dreml with a grinding bit

Whitewall tires, even the narrow ones, are easy too

As are the nifty stripes on the wheels (a similar approach could be used for air cleaners)

The nice thing is the "hands free" approach; you put the part in the drill, set the speed, and you have both hands available to hold tools, paint brushes, etc.

You could also make it into a lathe by bolting the cradle to a board, use a drill bit to bore out a hole in another piece of wood (which then becomes the tailstock), attaching the tailstock, and setting the distance. The drill isn't fast enough to be a true lathe, but a Dremel with the desired bit overcomes the lack of speed.

[Brent]

Great idea!!!

[1930fordpickup]

Yes this is a good idea. Can be used in all sorts of crafts.

[BigTallDad]

Thanks for the positive comments. This is the drill I used to cut the tiny brass tubing in the "Drilling distributor caps" tutorial

http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=101796

[Miatatom]

I'm building one of these! Great idea!

[Super28]

Thanks for the tips!