Drill Press Buyer's Guide

Drill presses make for precision drilling when it comes to woodwork, metalwork, and the torque available in a drill press makes for a much more powerful drilling device than any other type of drills such as portable drills. This is due to the movement of the drill as facilitated by a lever that works on a rank and pinion. A drill press has a much better output, as compared to hand held drills or other types of drills. The motions of the chuck and spindle are guided by the lever, which translates to a much more efficient drilling process. Switching over to drill press models gives you the convenience and efficiency that other drills just do not possess. Much less effort is required to run a drill press, and there is a substantial mechanical advantage in the manipulability of a drill press, over the other types of drills. When it comes to buying quality drill presses, there are few things to keep in mind before you do so.

The size of the drill press determines the capacity and the range of work it can be used for. The size of a drill press is measured in terms of 'swing', which is twice the 'throat distance', or the distance from the center of the spindle to the nearest edge of the pillar. The swing of a drill press is of paramount importance when you are looking for the right kind of drill press for yourself. If you want a 10 or 16-inch drill press, the throat distance will typically be 5 or 8 inches respectively. There are many different kinds of models available with different swings, so depending on your requirements, you are sure to find the most appropriate size. The speed of the drill press may come in variable and adjustable modes, and these speeds are selected by the arrangement of pulleys. Depending on the model, there may be three pulleys or more, with two belts, together delivering 12 or 16 speed options ranging from 210 to 3840 RPM. The adjustable speeds of a drill press indicate the manipulative options of arranging belts on the stepped pulleys.

Modern drill presses have the options of adjusting the table on which it is attached, by a rack and pinion and manipulating the vertical height; unlike older versions that rely on the manual process of lifting and reclamping of the table. Modern day drill presses also include a number of innovative features such as laser aided drill heads, among others. Look for such features when you want to buy a drill press, as the presence of these help the user with the work and greatly improve the overall quality of the same. The drill head of a drill press is driven by an induction motor, which supplies the necessary power for the running of the same. The quality of the induction motor determines the efficiency and longevity of the drill press, so choose from among the renowned manufactures of drill presses who guarantee superior quality motors. Drill presses come in two varieties: floor models and bench top models. The floor models have greater capacity, but bench top models are really compact and are quite adequate for home shops.

Drill Press Models

There are several good manufacturers of drill presses, and among these are Delta and Craftsman. Let us take a closer look at some of the drill press options; ideal for home use, as well as professional use.

The Craftsman 10-inch Drill Press with Laser

The above model has a laser mechanism that projects X and Y axis laser lines for precise alignment of the drilling location. It has a quick release table elevation, with adjustable settings of height. Also, it includes the fence and stop block, which help secure the workpiece, and aids in repetitive drilling. This is a good drill press model that houses convenient features such as the beveling table that bevels 45 degree and swivel 360 degree, and a strong cast iron table and base that adds stability.

The Delta DP350

The above model is easy to use, and changing speeds on this model is easier than the other models. Variable speed is achieved through two split pulleys that can be adjusted during the running of the machine. The Delta DP350 is a good model to buy, for household projects as well as for shop use.

The Delta SM300 Shopmaster Bench 1/4 Horsepower 10-inch drill press, or the Craftsman 10-inch drill press with laser come in the swing of 10 inches, and offer the user the most suitable throat distances, and convenient ranges of maneuverability.

The 12-inch models usually fall in the mid priced segment, and satisfy professional as well as home requirements. Let us look at some of the models from Delta and Craftsman

The Delta DP300L 12-inch drill press with laser is a powerful tool cutter, and with the added laser makes for a precision drilling. This has:

This is a reliable model, and you can use it for professional as well as household projects.

As a buyer, you can opt for the 12-inch models if you want multipurpose home/shop equipments that gives you power and precision for all your projects.

The higher models of drill presses usually have 15 to 20-inch swings. Some of these include the Delta 17-959L: 17-inch Crosshair Drill Press, which has a 16-speed option, allowing the one of the widest range of machine maneuverability, and laser guided functions. The higher swing ranges of drill presses are generally required for heavy duty drilling. If you require a powerful drill press, opt for the higher swings, and which have a wide range of adjustable speeds. For a general-purpose drill, you can opt for the medium sized swings, which have convenient features such as speed options, height adjustability, and adjustable rack and pinion features. As far price is concerned, the models with greater swings are priced on the higher side, than the lower swing models.

Generally, there is slight difference between the bench models and the floor models, with the floor mounted models on the higher price side. This is because of the capacities of the floor models, which are more than the bench models. However, bench top models are compact and have adequate output levels, which meet most professional requirements.

If you are looking for a general purpose model that you can conveniently use at home, you should consider the mid range bench top models that have adjustable speeds, and come with laser functions, as these features make for easy execution of the drilling process.

There are many different accessories for drill presses that are available to the users who want to maximize on the drill press output. If you want an additional space for your drilling, there are drill press table and fence systems that give you greater area and control over your work. Apart from these there are drill press air blowers, magnetic retractable chuck key holders, drilling jigs, and specialized cutters for your drill press. For general-purpose drill press vise requirements, the Craftsman 3 inches Drill Press Vise is a good option. Other accessories from Craftsman are quite convenient to use, and maximize the output of your drill press, such as the grill vises with features such as quick grip and release. For precision control of soft metal and fragile woodwork, opt for the Craftsman 3-inch Drill Press Vise Soft Jaws that can be inserted to prevent the breaking of soft material.

You should always take the necessary safety precautions when operating a drill press. Some of the important things you should remember while operating the drill press include wearing eye protection, running the drill at the correct cutting speeds, using a vise or clamp for small objects, removing waste chips with a brush and not by hand, carefully monitoring pressure while breaking through materials, turning the chuck backwards to free bit after shutting of the machine if the drill binds, and removing the drill chuck key after using the machine. Apart from these, you should avoid drilling with too much pressure if the bit is dull, instead you should sharpen it or get it replaced. Also, make it a point to clear chips frequently while drilling deep holes, by withdrawing the drill often. Keep the floor area around the tool clear, as this makes it safe for you while you are working at the drill, and so that nothing on the ground is affected. Remember to deal with the drill carefully, and follow the general rules of safety procedures, and you will never have to deal with any major issues during your drillings.

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