Table pillar drill

[Vanessa100]

Hi guys, any recommendations about a good bench top drill for accurate drilling of blanks. Huge thanks

 

[Penpal]

Hi one with the longest you can get throw or depth of drilling measure your favourite blanks as a guide. I personally look for and value one that allows a draw rod to the chuck, a decent sized chuck opening. just my couple of hints niceties light lamps etc real handy too.

Peter.

 

[chas_41_uk]

Or drill the blanks out on your lathe
I bought a pillar drill to drill blanks out and found drilling on the lathe to be more accurate.
I still use the pillar drill. Just not for blanks.

 

[Doug]

Old second hand heavy cast iron machine such as Fobco or Meddings would be my choice Vanessa.

 

[wm460]

Two other things not mentioned above I would like is a square table, and a stop button on the front of the machine.

 

[bellringer]

I alway use a pillar drill were possible I hate drilling on the lathe as I know the dangers of using a lathe for the job


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[Vic Perrin]

Although I have a half decent pillar drill, like Chas I now drill all of my blanks on the lathe. I find it much more accurate ( if that really matters) and far less subject to damaging a blank with blow out etc.[SUP][/SUP]

 

[Vic Perrin]

I alway use a pillar drill were possible I hate drilling on the lathe as I know the dangers of using a lathe for the job


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I don't understand where your coming from with this one Alex. If you use the lathe in the correct manner for drilling blanks then the dangers that you mention will have been eliminated. Why is using a Pillar drill for this operation safer than using the lathe ? In the correct manner of course. I believe that it is down to personal preference with this one !

 

[bellringer]

To use the lathe safely it really should have a slot in the back of the quill for the tang on the chuck to engage with to stop it spinning I have had a drill chuck start spinning and the drill then whipped round and broke with but going every were I only use it now we're the pillar drill is not got the travel on it to reach


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[Vic Perrin]

Never had this problem happen Alex. I always give the drill chuck a tap with a soft mallet or ensure that it has a sound fit in the morse taper of the tail stock.

 

[Lons]

Never had this problem happen Alex. I always give the drill chuck a tap with a soft mallet or ensure that it has a sound fit in the morse taper of the tail stock.

Same here Vic though I don't tap mine in just make sure the taper and seating are clean.

The cause of the chuck spinning is the bit sticking in the blank so either drilling too fast and overheating, especially in acrylic or not clearing the chippings often enough. Some materials need more than others. Only ever happened to me once and that was my fault but fully under control and never dangerous IMO.

How can the chuck snap off the mt Alex unless the tailstock has been withdrawn too far, that puzzles me a bit as surely you would stop the lathe immediately it started spinning then twist it back out by hand. I'm confident enough to usually hold the chuck though not everyone would agree with that practice.

I have an excellent Meddings pillar drill but now always drill on the lathe as I find it easier, quicker and more accurate. I always drill right through the blank just making sure I clear fully before the last few mm and no blow out result. Recent purchase of pen jaws makes it even easier.

We're all different though and the best method is the one we're most comfortable with.

EDIT:
Just re read Alex and noted it was the bit not the mt that broke but my reasoning still stands.

 

[Grump]

One does the same job vertically instead of horizontally, both will be dangerous if not set up correctly.

Both will drill off bonk if not paralleled / squared, both will fall to pieces if not assembled correctly.
I have had the chuck come off my pillar drill after some clown used it as a press and never put it back in properly, that hurt my toe bone init?

Stop talking rubbish and give the lady the advise she asked for.

For my Penneth, the budget bench top drills don't have the quill travel to do the job in one bite.
No issue if you are prepared to mess around or make a jig to counter this.

I replaced mine with a floor standing drill because I wanted the heavier duty, longer travel with hand crank table that I can put my cross slide vice on.
It actually uses a smaller footprint cos it don't need a bench / table to stand on with the benefit of being able to work both sides of it.

Other than that I see no point in spending vast amounts of money on something made in China with the same poor quality and different badge.

 

[Bob Ellis]

When I started pen turning, I used to drill the blanks on my lathe, which was accurate but time consuming. Then I bought a good quality bench drill which I use in conjunction with a pen blank drilling centre vice. I find this much quicker than drilling on the lathe and I haven't had a single cracked blank or blow-out since adopting this set-up. I have also had no problems with the drill bit wandering off centre, although this is due as much to the quality of the bits I use as to my bench drill. My bench drill is a Bosch PBD 40, which I have had for about six months. I am really pleased with it and would heartily recommend it.

Somebody will probably post in reply that there is something fundamentally wrong with using a Bosch PBD 40, but my experience is that it is a high quality piece of machinery that does an excellent job, so there! :rasp:

 

[Walter]

Stop talking rubbish and give the lady the advise she asked for.

Yes sir!! As you wish. :wink:

Axminster are currently selling the Jet JDP-13 Bench Pillar Drill which has an 80mm travel for £229 down from £419.

That is what I would recommend unless you can find a good condition second hand Meddings at a sensible price.

 

[Penpal]

Such a vexing situation Vanessa when I bought my drill I had the chuck let go a few times releasing the spinning unit in a dangerous way. I was just lucky the drill press had a hollow quill so I fitted a draw bar never had that problem again. Fiiting new bearings at purchase time, changed the motor over as well to a known 1hp aussie one another step for me this plus an X Y movement vice and I use drill point drills as well runs like a clock after 20 plus years. Sorry to go into this detail there are heaps of other considerations living so far away I am not familiar with Brand names currently in your country. There is a lot to be thought of buying a drill.

Peter.

 

[Penpal]

On posting I see Walters suggestion be guided by others as well give yourself the best chances of success.

Peter.

 

[Grump]

Yes sir!! As you wish.

Axminster are currently selling the Jet JDP-13 Bench Pillar Drill which has an 80mm travel for £229 down from £419.

That is what I would recommend unless you can find a good condition second hand Meddings at a sensible price.

Sound advise. Looks a bloody good buy to me with the right amount of quill travel.
Thank you young Walter.

 

[chas_41_uk]

Axminster are currently selling the Jet JDP-13 Bench Pillar Drill which has an 80mm travel for £229 down from £419.

WOW Thats a really good buy. Has enough travel too

 

[Woody]

Yes sir!! As you wish. :wink:

Axminster are currently selling the Jet JDP-13 Bench Pillar Drill which has an 80mm travel for £229 down from £419.

That is what I would recommend unless you can find a good condition second hand Meddings at a sensible price.

There out of stock Walter unless you want to collect from High Wycombe

 

[Dalboy]

Sittingbourne Axminster has at least one