I have seen on here and also when I am looking at ball jigs that you need a press with a 5 inch minimum travel. I have yet to see a ball of mine that has anything drilled nearly that deep. Why does one need a press with that much travel for drilling balls. BTW, my current press in my shop that I use for other things currently has 3.5 inches. Could I just not get away with using that? Or, would I need the 5 inches as stated from other sources? Of course, I know I would need a ball jig.
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Hey, it might be slop but, it all looks the same on the scorecard!!!!!

Edited on 10/9/2005 11:24 AM

Yes the two components that are needed are at least 3 inches of spindle travel and at least a 12 inch throat.

And another is the jig must fit under your drill press either on a table or it's stand.

The reason most ball drillers like a near 5 inch spindle travel is because without that ...one usually has to remover the ball when changing drill bits.
PIA.  But if you have 5 inches of travel usually that give one about 2 1/2 inches  fo room to get in or take out the ball from the jig.

It just makes it all comfortable.

I have a jig with 4 7/8 spindle travel and a throat of 17 inches from Delta.
Very comfortable to work around compared to a 3 1/2 inch spiinde and a 12 inch throat.  Tight all around!

Regards,

Luckylefty