Recommendations For A Bench Pillar Drill ?

[WhiteVanJack]

Hi,

Would anyone please be able to advise me of a decent make/model for a bench pillar drill? Also, are there any features/functionality that I need to lok out for such as gearing ratios. drill speeds etc?

Thx
Jack

 

[Burnerman]

For a good price plus warranty and spares or whatever, look at what Machine Mart has to offer (Although Lidl sometimes do the small one even cheaper).
I'd recommend a Jacob's type keyed chuck (13mm) and 5 or 10 speeds will be more than enough. It really does depend on what you want to pay!
John

 

[Nigel_Cro]

I bought one of these about a year ago...

http://www.recordpower.co.uk/product/bench-drill-with-22-column-and-12-chuck#.Vx5iWZMrJn4

... and it is brilliant, I am very pleased with it for what I need. (I am a keen amateur, bits of woodwork, bits of metalwork etc)

 

[Burnerman]

That looks a smart bit of kit, Nigel - I like the table that can be raised or lowered by the rack. Can the table be swung out of the way?
My biggest moan with these things is the aluminium vice that they usually come with, and I've seen a couple where the drill and the table weren't exactly perpendicular.
John

 

[Nigel_Cro]

Table can be raised and lowered, the mechanism isn't exactly finely tuned, but it really doesn't need to be, wind it up lock it off, Bob's your Father's Brother.

Yes, the table can be swung out of the way to get big pieces under, maybe not the easiest process, but it only takes seconds.

Mine didn't come with a vice, but I have a really good quality one already, inherited off my toolmaker Father in Law. All I have done is make an MDF table for it with a sacrificial square which pops out and allows me to use my drum sanders.

HTH

 

[oilboffin]

Try to pick up a used fobco they are the absolute best