Yeah, I'm 100 percent sure I figured out what the problem was. I couldn't get the mandrel to grab the blank at all, so then I measured the diameter of the holes. The guy who drilled them for me must not have been using a good vise on his drill press or used the wrong drill bit. I gave him a brand new 5/8 brad point, but some how ended up with holes reading .644! Sure am glad I was given a drill press tonite from my older neighbour. It's a BIG old Canadian No. 18. It must weigh close to 400 pounds, has a 1 1/2 hp motor and 6 inches of quill travel. I know it's an antique, but the motor is fresh and the old boy swears it has the least amout of runout he's seen on a press.