Off vertical drilling

[Duds]

Is it possible to drill off vertical using a ball shaped bit and moving in the x and y axis while drilling down through the z axis?
Assuming only 3 axis machine

[KenC]

Surely it can be done if you know your g-code well enough.

[lonestaral]

Do you mean 'Ramping' or 'Spiral cutting'

Yes you can.

[KenC]

I think he meant tilted straight holes.

[racedirector]

But I would think that was not possible with just a vertical Z due to the straight bit.... or am I not thinking correctly? I take what you're trying to do is make a hole at an angle with a straight bit......

[Duds]

I do mean tilted straight holes but not a straight bit. A ball bit. I can imagine that the angle is limited by the angle from the outside diameter of the ball and the shaft is the limitation of the angle.

[lonestaral]

Hole at an angle with a drill, put a wedge under the work, simple.
This follows the K.I.S.S. principle

As an alternative,
Tilt the Z axis, not simple.
Build a 4 or 5 axis machine, not simple (with knobs on).

[racedirector]

Dale, that would probably but I can see the hole not being very deep. I would go with Al's idea, tilt the job and drill straight down, more room for a deeper hole.

[Duds]

Thanks, great idea tilt the work and drill with Z. Or use a jig outside the machine. I want the machine to solve all my joinery but it's a just a tool with some specific strengths and weakness. Thanks for the reminder.

[smreish]

Dale,
Possible, as long as the hole diameter and the minor diameter of the ball bit shank is small enough to hit the lip on the entry area of the plunge cut.

It's like cutting and "uncut" lip on some parts.

---question--- are you trying to do something like a pocket hole like a KREG jig?

[ger21]

Bruce, it'd just a straight line 3 axis move. However, the max angle would be limited, due to the tool being in the vertical orientation. Too much angle and the shank would hit the side of the hole.
Also, a ballnose bit isn't the best option for drilling.