Use a Benchtop Drill Press

Posted on Dec 17, 2020

Benchtop Drill Press

Bench drilling machines are very standard, although there are some differences between brands, sizes, and functions. They have many convenient accessories. From grinding kits to chiseling, the right accessory kit can turn a standard ordinary milling machine into a powerful production machine.

When your DIY project requires some precision drilling work, only the best bench drilling machine can do it. These handy tools are perfect for drilling holes in wood, metal, and other objects. Benchtop drill presses are ideal for workshops because it helps make clumsy, potentially dangerous work safer and more accurate. You can clamp the workpiece on the worktable of the drilling machine without having to hold the workpiece firmly in your hand. DIYers can also use a benchtop drill press for sanding and grinding. Some specially designed models, called "mortises", can even create perfect joinery.

Bench drilling machines are very standard, although there are some differences between brands, sizes, and functions. They have many convenient accessories. From grinding kits to chiseling, the right accessory kit can turn a standard ordinary milling machine into a powerful production machine. Many of these accessories are simply fastened in place in the chuck. Some useful accessories include clamps and fixtures that can be bolted to the worktable of the drill press to fix the workpiece at a specific angle so that the hole can be drilled safely and accurately.

The following suggestions for some of the top models that have important features required by your chosen project, hobby or industry. The bench drilling machine is an important supplement to the DIYer professional workshop. In this buyer's guide, we will analyze the distinctive features, details, and specifications of bench drilling machines to help you find a drilling machine that suits your needs.
 

:: Read More: All You Need to Know Before Buying A Drill Press

Things to Consider When Buying a Benchtop Drill Press

If you have never owned a benchtop drill press before, you may not be sure what to look for or how to use it when buying one. Although drilling machines are not necessarily niche tools, Their popularity in family workshops is lower than before. When looking for the best benchtop drilling machine for your store, the following points need to be considered.
 

Drill Size and Stroke

Drill size and stroke are the two most important indicators for comparing bench drilling machines. The manufacturer measures the size of the drill bit by the "throat distance" or the distance between the drill bit and the bracket supporting the motor. Manufacturers like to double the distance to adjust the size of their drill press. This is called the swing of the drilling machine, which represents the largest diameter workpiece that the drilling machine can handle. For example, a drill press with a length of 6 inches from the drill bit to the column will be a 12-inch drill press.

The stroke is the distance that the chuck can move up and down. For example, a 2-inch stroke means that the user can lower the tip of the drill bit by 2 inches. The greater the stroke, the thicker the material that the drill press may drill through.
 

:: Read More: How to Use Your Drilling Machine to Drill Metal

Variable Speeds Benchtop Drill Press

Most bench drills provide variable speed drilling, measured in revolutions per minute (RPM). When drilling various types of materials, RPM is important because some materials require lower RPM, while others require higher RPM. For example, wood is usually drilled at a higher RPM than metal, and metal needs to be drilled at a lower speed to prevent the drill bit from overheating. The rotation speed of the benchtop drill press is usually between 200 and 3600 RPM.

Generally, the harder the material is, the lower the speed is required. This reduces the amount of heat generated by the drill bit and helps maintain a sharp cutting edge on the drill bit. Some materials require higher speeds than others. For example, you can drill pine wood at a high rate, an oak tree at a medium rate, and various metals at a low rate. When drilling metal, it is best to leave a can of lubricant or cutting oil nearby. The rapid spray on the drill bit helps to keep the heat on the tip and maintain a sharp cutting edge.
 

Horsepower of Benchtop Drill Press

Horsepower is a well-known number, but for the workshop bench drilling machine, its importance is not as important as the ground model in the production environment. The speed variability of bench drilling machines is much more important than horsepower. The pressure range of a standard bench drilling machine is 1/3 to 3/4 horsepower. For most workshop-based projects, both methods are applicable. If the rig starts to sink, you are putting too much pressure on the drill bit. This is disadvantageous for drills, chucks, and spindles, thus reducing weight.
 

Laser Guide and Lights

Even the most experienced drill press operator can use some guidance from time to time. Choosing a benchtop drill press with onboard lighting will help you see better in the darker corners of the workshop, thereby ensuring more precise drilling. Look for models with laser guidance that will truly take your drilling machine game to a new level. These guidelines are usually cross-shaped lines, and you can align them precisely where your drill bit touches the workpiece. After adjustment, you can find out every drop of the drill press.
 

Accessories

Some bench drilling machines have accessories such as laser guides and retractable arms that can help simplify the drilling process. The laser guide can accurately position the forward direction of the drill bit, thereby helping the operator to ensure accuracy before the drill bit hits the material. Telescopic arms can help drill presses accommodate materials of various sizes because they can be pulled in or out according to the width of the material.

The clamping device can not only fix the workpiece in the proper position to improve accuracy, but also prevent the workpiece from loosening and hurting the user of the drilling machine. However, most of these devices are accessories and you must purchase them separately.
 

Safety Features of the Benchtop Drill Press

Although drill presses are an ancient tool, they have received some recent updates to make them safer. Features such as drill guards help keep your hands away from rotating drills and prevent metal chips and sawdust from flying to your face. An oversized on/off button can help you quickly shut down your computer when a problem occurs. Because the drill bit of the bench drilling machine is accommodating and can be used in the open, please be careful when operating the tool. Some bench drilling machines have functions such as safety keys and automatic disconnect switches, which can help users operate the product safely. These functions are especially important if you want to conduct exercises near young children.

IMTS Exhibition

IMTS gathered worldwide Automatic Drill Press manufacturers into this online platform. Browse and search for your next supplier with us.

Should you run into any difficulties, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Quick Link to Suppliers

0Inquiry Item Contact IMTS

International Manufacturing Teletrading Sources (IMTS) is your key to unlock the door to the industry from anywhere around the world, at any time.