Depending on the material, releasing the pressure on the handle to break the chip once it gets to about an inch long should help. I have also made crude chip shields out of cardboard or sheet steel anchored with a chunk of steel.

 

Thanks. I'll try that. I always use the auto feed. 56 rpm and slowest feed.

 

Usually mild steel and tool steel.

 

Auto feed is nice, but you give up control. If the feed buttons are easy to manipulate, you can still try it.

 

1958 drill. No buttons. All levers and wheels. Fairbanks Moorse #2.


Will try it though.

 

Old school stuff.
How fine are the feed adjustments?

 

Greg and Lou, it's a good thing I never went looking for werk at a machine shop. When I was in college, I had a machine tool class. I was cutting a thread and as I watched the chip forming I thought, "that looks dangerous " so I stopped the lathe, grabbed the chip and gave it a little tug !. I calmly asked to be excused from class, the instructor said ok sure and I quietly left the building. Four fingers cut very badly!

 

I run the lowest rpm. 56. Feed is range a, b, c, 1, 2. Don't remember the feed rate. Very old school. Navy surplus.

 

Sorry Chuck. I had to laugh at that!

 

Sorry. Laughed a little. They are like surrated razor blades! The mill leaves you with a pile of neadles.