instructables

Build Your Own Drill Press for FREE!

by Yonatan24

BEFORE you read this I'ble on how to make the drill press shown above, I want to UPDATE that:

I ended up retiring the drill press I made in this instructable, and now, 2 years later, I bought a mini compact variabl
e speed drill press on eBay. If you might be interested in a drill press like this one, I highly recommend you watch
my detailed review video on it, highlighting its most valuable pros & cons - which there are many!

You can click here to watch the video, or watch the embedded version in the last step of this Instructable,
including explanations on why I chose to purchase a drill press after building this one.

I've come to the point where can't build more advanced woodworking projects, due to the lack of a drill
press*. I have a list of tons of projects that I want to attempt, yet am unable to complete them due to the lack of a
proper drill press - one that can drill at a 90 degree angle.

I am unable to find a used drill press in my area, and with the amount of money that I'm willing to spend on a new
one, I would get nothing - they are way too expensive!

I thought of asking for one as a birthday present, but the amount of money that would be needed for buying a drill
press that isn't flimsy and would last long just isn't worth it - they are just way too expensive, and I don't even plan
on using it so much. Even if a drill press was a tool that I would use every day, I still wouldn't feel comfortable
spending a couple hundred dollars on one (way-too-frugal!).

So I need one. I really do need a drill press. I don't want to invest in one, as I think it's not worth it, enough. I try
thinking of a plan for building one, but all of my designs require a drill press for building the drill press.

To build a drill press, I need to buy a drill press, but if I already have a drill press, why would I build a drill press?
That's the problem with (many, if not most) homemade drill presses. You either need a drill press for making it, or
you spend many, many hours working on one, but it turns out inaccurate. I practically gave up. Impossible, or not?

Well, in my case, many months later, all I had to do was well, nothing to get the problem solved. Out of nowhere,
all I had to do was draw a quick sketch of the idea that randomly came to my head. This idea will be shown in the
video below, and will be explained in the next step.

Build Your Own Drill Press for FREE!: Page 1

 //www.youtube.com/embed/_QyogKWDoEk

(Watch the YouTube video: LINK FOR MOBILE VIEWERS!)

Tired of skipping through boring DIY videos? In case you don't already know, I now make short, tightly edited
Youtube videos about homemade tools, tool hacks, woodworking, electronics, metalworking projects and much
more - Subscribe to so you don't miss out! :)

Special features:

You DO NOT need a drill press to build this drill press!

Can be taken apart, and used as a regular drill for drilling. This drill press is powered by (hammer)
drill whose intended use is for drilling into walls, which we do several times a year for all sorts of
home improvement projects. Whenever that's needed, I can take it apart, and quickly re-assemble
the drill press to its original state once I'm done.

You can feel exactly how much pressure you're applying, which poses as a big advantage over
store bought drill presses, where delicate work is hard to achieve because of the lack of control.

The column does not need to be thick to resist bending- I used a standard table leg, and thanks to
the design of this drill press, there will be a very minimal load on the column (unlike regular drill
presses).

You can use forstner drill bits, and other types of drill bits that require for a lot of force to be applied
during the drilling process. You are unable to do this with most homemade drill presses, as they
usually aren't meant for heavy work.

Can be built with a drill that doesn't have a "handle thingy". I designed it this way since I think the
"handle thingy" on my drill isn't at 90 degrees, and has a bit of movement too, since clamping tightly
onto it is pretty difficult.

Don't have all of the necessary parts and material for building one? Haven't found them all for free
(like me :)? No worries, since as long as you already own a drill and a table leg, pretty much all you
need is some spare change :)

Technical Specs that can be modified easily to fit your needs:

15.5" (40cm) Drilling capacity

Lightweight (7kg/15lbs - compare that to a regular drill press! This will make it easy to carry from my
room to outside, where I use it.)

Build Your Own Drill Press for FREE!: Page 2

 Can fit conveniently under a desk for easy storage. (If it's too tall, just shorten it with a hacksaw -
simple!)

Big table - really useful for all sorts of jigs and extra accessories! (You could even replace the whole
table with a pipe clamp for additional portability, put a scale for measuring the weight of your drill
task, or anything else. The possibilities are endless!)

*(Well, I actually do own a drill press. Unfortunately, it takes FOREVER to align it to a point where it looks like it's
close to square, and even then the angle changes as soon as I apply a little too much pressure. It's just too flimsy
overall. Perhaps useless is the correct definition ;)

Build Your Own Drill Press for FREE!: Page 3

Build Your Own Drill Press for FREE!: Page 4
Step 1: The Basic Plan

^^^This is the plan that I made^^^. (A quick edit in Pixl between the chuck and the column, allowing for me to
r improved it by about 10000%.) drill in the middle of a big board, using a big holesaw,
or anything else like that.
The reason for why I called it "basic" is because I
wasn't sure if what I planned out would actually work If I don't saw the parts of the cube perfectly, which
as planned (this step was typed out before I even will probably happen, or don't attach the drill to
started building the drill press). If everything actually the spacers perfectly, which will probably also
would work out as planned, I would add the extra happen, I will need to re-adjust the parts so the
gadgets that I planned on adding in the first place... drill press will be able to drill perfect 90 degree
holes. To do that, all I have to do is loosen the bolt
I hope you'll forgive me if I use an incorrect term for a that connects the column to the table, and stick a
part that I don't think exists :) spacer between them. I don't think my cuts will be
off by a lot, so to know where to add them, I'll use
The special plan was to make a cube out of wood. Or this GENIUS tip by Wood Magazine. This video
a box - I'm not sure what it should be called, but I explains it pretty well too.
wanted to make a 4 sided piece of wood that would
slide up and down on the column. Pretty simple idea, Not very special, yet might be the best tip you've
right? I planned on making it out of plywood, with the heard all day: My original thought was to drill a hole in
pieces connected together with butt joints (screws). my plywood table which stays outside, and connect
I'm sure better joinery methods do exist, but this is the the column straight to it, so my table acts as the drill
only type of joint that I know I can make with a press table. I would only take only the drill outside
circular saw, and without too many difficulties. It's when I needed to use the drill press. The problem
also easy to tighten, and easy to disassemble in case with that is that the column will rust from the humidity.
something needs to be modified. Any accidental I thought I'd take also the column inside too, but then
inaccuracies would be corrected with the spacers, it would be hard to store in vertically, since there
anyway. wouldn't be a base. I would also have to adjust the
squareness of the drill press before every use. That
The pieces of wood that are between the cube and was enough for me to understand that I should drop
the drill are spacers which increase the space the idea... Perhaps you could do that in your

workshop?

Build Your Own Drill Press for FREE!: Page 5

 1

1. This is the "cube".

Step 2: What You'll Need:

Want to make this project? Here's a list of what you'll need. You should be able to find the parts in a hardware
store, on eBay, or maybe outside, on the sidewalk that's near your house! If you don't see something that you think
should be here, or would like to know more about a specific tool/part that I used, feel free to ask in the comments.

I made it for FREE since I already everything that was needed on hand.

Hardware, Materials, Consumables:

Table Leg - 68cm tall, 6cm diameter, 1.25mm thick (there are many different types, but mine has a
3/8" threaded part at one end, which makes it easy to use. If you're unable to find a leg like this, a
threaded pipe might work too...
45X42X2.5cm Piece of particle-board (for the base table)
8mm Plywood (Birch, I think. It was salvaged out of a chair)
3 3/8" Bolts
Washers
Screws
Beech & Maple wood
Wood glue
CA glue
Silicone sheet
Tension spring
A small hook

Build Your Own Drill Press for FREE!: Page 6

-

Tools (+Attachments):

Measuring & marking tools

Drill bit set
Clamps
Homemade wooden vise
Handsaw
Screwdriver
Pliers
Circular saw
Drill

Subjects: Woodworking, Metalworking, Making Your Own Tools.

Approximate Time: 15 Hours

Difficulty: Fairly Difficult...

ALWAYS USE PROPER PPE.

Build Your Own Drill Press for FREE!: Page 7

Step 3: The Base/Table

I decided to start with the easiest part of the build: connecting the column to the base.

I measured to make sure I was in the middle of the particle-board board, and then drilled a 10mm hole, while doing
my best to keep it at 90 degrees with my homemade 90-degree drill guide. I put an aluminum washer on the bolt
before tightening it.

Tips:

If you drill the hole a bit oversized, it won't matter if the hole isn't perfectly vertical. I did both...

When drilling, I took into account the fact that I might add some jigs in the future, so I left about 2cm
away from the column.

Build Your Own Drill Press for FREE!: Page 8

Build Your Own Drill Press for FREE!: Page 9
Step 4: The Cube: Cutting the Pieces

Both of the internal sides of the cube have to be had hoped. With a table saw, they could have turned
60mm, since that's the diameter of the column. out perfect, but I obviously don't have one. To be
honest, the cut quality doesn't even matter that much.
They will be 80mm tall since that's the biggest part of Why?
my drill that I can attach stuff to. That means that I will
be cutting a rectangle that's 60X80mm. I clamped the Marking the pieces oversized, and cutting them out
plywood tightly onto the table, marked the undersized and out of square was actually better
dimensions, and used a speed square to guide the than cutting them to the 100% correct size. Hooray!
cut. The two others will be 80X80mm, because of
60+8+8: the column + both pieces of plywood. Sorry for the lack of pictures, my attention had to be
Having them oversized is better, just to be safe... on the finger eating thing circular saw 100% of the
time...
Even though I had practiced a lot (my first time using
a big circular saw), the cuts didn't turn out as well as I

Build Your Own Drill Press for FREE!: Page 10

Step 5: The Cube: Assembling the Pieces on the Column

I aligned the pieces together in the shape of a cube halfway. After all of the screws were tightened
on the column, and clamped them together using the halfway in, I enlarged the pilot hole of the (first)
help of another person, as I needed another pair of outside piece, tightened on a teeny tiny clamp, and
hands. screwed in the screws with a screwdriver. Be gentle
and don't force them in!
The last thing I wanted to have is the wood splitting,
so I made a WORST WORST WORST case If the wood ever does split (I hope not!), I'll find a way
scenario, testing both the plywood, the screw, and the to reinforce it... It should be too difficult. I recommend
pilot hole. See a picture of this here, where nothing using thicker plywood.
went wrong (to my surprise). I drilled a pilot hole in
both butt jointed pieces and screwed in the screw

Build Your Own Drill Press for FREE!: Page 11

Step 6: The Spacers

See step #1 for why these are needed. were any left, they probably wouldn't have done any
damage to the carbide tipped teeth of the blade.
I decided to use some pretty thick maple wood that I
had salvaged from the same chair that I salvaged the I then glued both pieces together with wood glue,
plywood from. I cut two pieces of it to 80mm long, added a few drops of CA glue, and clamped them
since it was already the correct width that was together. I came back the next day to glue the
needed. I would have normally used the super sharp spacers onto the cube. I wish CA glue would cure just
handsaw that I won in the Instructables Shelving a bit slower so I would have just a bit more time to
Contest, but I didn't, because I wasn't sure if I had move it around!
removed all of the staples, which could ruin the whole
saw. I used the circular saw instead, since if there

1 2

1. Glued!
2. Glued!

Build Your Own Drill Press for FREE!: Page 12

Step 7: Feet!

The bolt that tightens the column onto the table sticks screw sat under the surface, I used an 8mm drill bit to
out a little over a centimeter below the table. I needed counterbore (I believe that's not a countersink) a hole.
to add some legs to make sure it was the drill press
was stable, and could be clamped to my workbench. Now I can also put the clamp between my workbench
and drill press table, allowing for easy clamping while
I cut four pieces of beech wood to a length of 4.5cm. drilling. Here's a picture of that.
After that, I drilled pilot holes, and drove in 1 screw for
each piece of wood, in each corner. To make sure the

Build Your Own Drill Press for FREE!: Page 13

Build Your Own Drill Press for FREE!: Page 14
Step 8: Try Twice, FAIL Twice! (Connecting the Drill to the Cube)

First, I started by clamping the drill onto the spacers, both pieces together, clamping everything in
as shown in the picture. I locked the trigger at "full between.
speed", so I could push the clamp another centimeter
up. I cut an inner bike tube in half, wrapped it, The problem? When clamping hard enough for the
tightened it as tightly as I could, and then tied it. drill not to move, the cube wouldn't be able to slide up
and down, since it was also being clamped. The inner
I cut another piece of maple, the same type of wood tube was a great rubber band, but it didn't really do
that I used for the spacers, this time with my anything :(
handsaw, to the length of 8cm, and then glued it to
the back of the cube. What a nice surface finish! Didn't work, didn't work, didn't work. Argh!

I also cut a thin, yet extremely strong piece of beech A nice trick I've learned is when I'm stuck on
plywood to 15 cm long, and drilled a 12mm hole in something for a really long time, to leave it. I stopped
each end. I then cut a piece of regular beech wood, and went to do something else, and as I was told that
and repeated the same process. Both of the pieces the idea would come out of nowhere, it did! The only
were so hard that I didn't even think using my issue was that I didn't understand how I didn't think of
Japanese saw to cut them! it earlier! ;)

I used some really big bolts and hex nuts to tighten

Build Your Own Drill Press for FREE!: Page 15

 1

1. It was so tight that I had to break the plywood with pliers

Step 9: Success!: Connecting the Drill to the Cube (Spacers)

I cut two pieces of beech wood to 12cm long, used and then clamped it all everything together. I wanted
CA glue to glue them together, and drilled a 10mm to add screws which would connect the drill holder to
hole in two sides, right on the line. the spacers with more strength, but didn't because I
already tightened the bolts that held the drill, which
In the same length, I cut another piece of beech blocked the way. I didn't feel like doing everything for
plywood (the same kind that was used before) and the second time, but if I ever do need to remove the
again, drilled a 10mm hole in two sides. I found two drill for some reason, I might screw in a few screws,
bolts and two washers, and then tightened both though I don't think they're even needed. I came back
pieces together, so they sandwiched the drill in the an hour later, slid the cube onto the column, and
middle, between them. To improve the grip on the added some more clamps.
drill, I put the back side of a silicone phone case that I
had lying around between the wood and the drill, Now, while typing up the Instructable, I realize that
which increases the friction. the drill holder is pretty much like Izzy Swan's $2 cla
mps.
I slid the cube off the column, clamped it to my table,
smeared a generous amount of glue onto the spacer,

Build Your Own Drill Press for FREE!: Page 16

Build Your Own Drill Press for FREE!: Page 17
Step 10: A Bungee Cord?

The drill obviously isn't going to spring back up like a I drilled a hole in the top of the big plastic bolt thing
store bought drill press because of a thing called that's on the top on the column (this bolt is used for
gravity. Ever heard of that annoying thing? I can adjusting the height of the leg +/- a few centimeters),
improve that a bit, pretty easily though. and inserted one hook side of a pretty big tension
spring into the hole. I then drilled another hole in the
My intention was to use a bungee cord that I had piece of the drill holder that was glued to the spacer,
laying around. It was pretty long, so in its full length, it screwed in a small hook, and inserted the other side
didn't do much, and when folded in half, if was way of the spring, making sure that it was being held
too strong. Luckily, the bungee cord wasn't my only properly.
option.

Build Your Own Drill Press for FREE!: Page 18

Build Your Own Drill Press for FREE!: Page 19
Step 11: Fixing Some Play in the Cube

Play: Able to wiggle from side to side - not a perfect

fit.
Click here to watch it if you're on mobile
I noticed it earlier, yet waited until now. There was
some play between both of the side (the smaller I had to repeat the process because my first one fell,
ones, tightening the screws doesn't change it) pieces and disappeared somehow, and unlike what I showed
of wood of the cube, since they weren't perfectly in the video, I used CA glue to glue the wedge to the
parallel. I made a plywood wedge, which fixes that cube.
perfectly.

I also made a video on how to make one:

//www.youtube.com/embed/yV2LRpoVFO4

Build Your Own Drill Press for FREE!: Page 20

Step 12: DONE! | UPDATE 2019!

As I mentioned earlier, I ended up retiring this I do hope to see a lot of use from it in the future - As
homemade drill press. I instead opted for this compac Theodore Levitt once said, people don't buy the drill
t drill press that I bought on eBay. As promised, here press, they buy the holes with the additional benefits
is the detailed, action-packed review video!: of a drill press! Ok, he didn't say that.

-
//www.youtube.com/embed/3QKdVa7inKA
Are you following me on Instructables? Join
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Instructables by clicking the Follow button!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QKdVa7inKA (located at the top of my member page)

I ended up retiring the drill press I made in this On YouTube, I upload quick videos of my projects in
Instructable for several reasons, some of which were action, and more - Subscribe so you don't miss out!
design mistakes on my part. To summarize, the
corded drill was always challenging to hard to mount I read ALL comments, and reply to as many as I can,
precisely in its "clamp" and was physically so make sure to leave your questions, suggestions,
uncomfortable to use overall. I had a bunch of ideas tips, tricks, and any other ideas in the comments
for fixing these issues, but unfortunately, this isn't my below! - Thanks!
drill and I wasn't allowed to modify and mount it more
permanently...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QKdVa7inKA

comment

This is an excellent instructable in all ways but one. I know everyone does it on instructables but I
wish you hadn't called it free. That is misleading and basically dishonest. I guess everything is free
if you already own everything needed. In your sense I could make a free diamond ring in a gold
band if I already had a $10,000 diamond and a $600 gold band to start with but to call that free is a
lie. It would still be a $10600 diamond ring. The honest cost is the cost someone reading your
instructable would need to spend acquiring needed parts if they don't already have them. This is a
good low cost design but it isn't free.
Thanks. This type of stuff is always an issue. I write how much parts and materials cost for me.
There no end to counting up how much every single tiny little thing costs...
I spent a few months gathering the parts that I needed for the build. If you don't have the parts
necessary for building the drill press, it should cost you only $25. Depending if you actually have a
drill. Or if you're able to find wood for the base. Or where you live. Or if you own a few tools to
make it. Or if you pay for your own electricity bill.........
If you mine with tools that you bought previously a diamond that's worth $10K, then yes, you got it
for free. That doesn't mean that everyone can get it for free, but it does mean some can.
I understand what you mean :)
Please for the love of wood, take this 'ible down.
these things are good for nothing, not just this one... all of them.
Build Your Own Drill Press for FREE!: Page 21
They
don't drill accurate holes, perpendicular straight holes, or even holes the
SAME SIZE as the drillbit you are using.
Please trust me when I say "been there, done that,
pulled my hair out trying to make it do what I want, then going out and
buying a proper drillpress"
These things are an abomination, sent to test the patience of Job (the man).
If
you are at the stage where "more advanced" woodworking is your norm, I
must assume that equals "more accurate", and every. single. one. of this
style of "drillpress with a handheld drill attached" either homemade or
store bought are...
utter utter utter trash.
they have waaay
too much slop in them, from the cheap bearings in the drill that move off axis as you apply
pressure, to how the
stands are made,and how the mechanism works; every hole you drill will
be different.
A drillpress is designed to give you the SAME
hole, over and over and over again, awake, half asleep, with your eyes
closed; the SAME HOLE, same as the last and the next.
Do
yourself a favor, spend the money on a bench sized drillpress, they
don't have to be $$$$$, but don't buy the cheapest one either, the first
time you use it, it's a revelation.
lol with all the bible references and I'm not even religeous!
Hey overreaction! Even high quality commercial tools aren't perfect. Every tool has errors. There
are things it won't do but unless you have amazingly steady hands this tool is much better than
freehanding with a power drill. How good a tool you need depends on the application. If you want
to make professional quality furniture you probably need a commercial drill press. But there lots of
less critical projects this tool will do quite well.
Exactly :)

Hey Austin,
I appreciate the time you took into writing your comment. Anything that doesn't work can be
upgraded, right? This was a great project, and is better than what I had before. If I ever find a drill
press for cheap, I will be very happy to buy it. I wish I had a "real" one! :)
I still haven't had the chance to use it enough to say what works well, and what doesn't. Are there
any obvious tips for improving the drill press?
Thanks.
OK now I've got that out of my system, how can this be improved?
look at the design of all drillpresses, they all have a solid collar at the bottom of the tube, doing it in
wood make it twice as thick and twice as high.
One small bolt into the underside of the metal rod is nowhere near solid enough. if it's hollow fill it
with concrete and use the threaded stud at least 100mm long to attach it to the base, 2 would be
better, mounted in line with the drill.
the wood base it's sitting on is too thin and will flex under tension, especially as it's on feet - if I

Build Your Own Drill Press for FREE!: Page 22

were making it I'd use 2x 25mm thick plywood, when it comes to things like this overkill is the
byword. I know you might not think it's flexing but it is because your motion of moving the drill will
never be 100% vertical, making the base thicker and stronger means this linear (horizontal)
application of force can be counteracted and thus not transpose it into your drill hole.
Not much you can do to alter the characteristics of the handheld drill and it's bearings, but what
you CAN do is make up a double chuck system, salvage 1 preferably metal chuck and mount it to
a separate sliding system, and the back rod then goes into the chuck of the drill. The metal chuck
will have no bearings inside and thus no off axis travel when under load, and the drill itself with it's
bearings will not be able to off axis travel as it's attached to the fixed point chuck.
That would also mean technically if you had one of those flexible drill extention snake things you
could simply lie the drill on the bench, attach the snake to the mounted chuck on the pole and run
that up and down, less weight / stress on the pole = less chance for off axis deflection.
(and if you win, I want credit! :) )
What's the solid collar at the bottom of the tube - the "handle thingy"?
The bolt that connects the column to the base? I can't add another one. I think it's strong enough.
WHAT? Okay. Is a 5 kilometer thick diamond plate good enough? What do you think I'm going to
use this drill press for - drilling into a 2 and a half ton concrete slab?
Maybe I should leave my tools in a vacuum chamber so they don't rust.
Seriously...
Thanks.
PS - if you think your drillpress is accurate, I'll set you a challenge to replicate what I tried to do
FOUR times before going out and buying a drillpress. If it can do it - it'll be something to prove how
good your design is (and I'll retract my statement), but honestly? I have great doubts it can.
Where did I say that it had to be perfect?
Do you have any pictures of your failed drill presses? I'd be interested in seeing them.
Ok you are quiet correct, I have never made one - and I'm not trying to belittle or othewise insult
you, but you have made an 'ible for others to follow based on something not tried, tested and
proven to be accurate.
I realise my reaction may be a little OTT, but if you've had my experiences of one of these kinds of
"drill press" you'd understand.
The other thing is the tolerances of woodworking you may work to, and find acceptable, are
different from anothers.
The stark and unfortunate truth of woodworking, is that if you wish to work to any degree of
accuracy = less headaches and problems, you must first start by using a tool that has THE BEST
accuracy you can produce, and from then on any inaccuracies introduced from human interaction
are thus smaller.
Have you ever used a straightedge level that ISN'T LEVEL, or a setsquare (engineering square)
that isn't square? I have and this is the same, if you start out "not straight / square" anything after
that will compound the issue further and further, the more you use it on the one project. I have
been on the wrong end of this so often I'm paranoid about it now, and you know what? Since I
upgraded my tools, and not with anything costing $$$$$ either, when I make a box now it's square,
the sides all meet with minimal gaps and there's no time / money wasted making alterations.
Using a tool you KNOW isn't accurate is ensuring you'll have problems down the road.
At the very least add some sort of disclaimer that this is only meant for the most mundane of
drilling tasks where perfect accuracy isn't required.

Build Your Own Drill Press for FREE!: Page 23

The other thing is the tolerances of woodworking you may work to, and find acceptable, are
different from anothers.
If you make this and expect that it will not be off, and drill a 90.1° degree hole, the problem isn't
with the Instructable. This drill press if for DIYers, not professionals - does that need a disclaimer
too?!
People that do not understand that this drill press isn't perfect shouldn't use the power tools that
were used for this project, sorry. This is not a project for beginners. This I'ble will be removed once
my I'ble on my homemade wooden vise will be removed because it doesn't give 3 tons of clamping
pressure.
Define perfect please.
plus 1

Was thinking this too. I guess if you're on a deserted island, with power tools, and need to
McGyver something this could work?
Awesome work as always.

I used your design for inspiration to create my own. I modified the design to fit my drill using U-
bolts instead of wood.

Awesome! What are those plastic white things? Wheels that help it slide up and down? Those U-
bolts look great, probably way sturdier and stronger than my design.
Awesome job, but what does an impact driver (correct?) do on a drill press?That needs an
Instructable!
Are you interested in a free 1-year premium Instructables membership? If yes, let me know and I'll
send it to you in a private message - this time, in less than 9 days! :)
Plastic white things are spacers from HomeDepot. They aren't quite wide enough so there is some
wiggle side to side. My intent was to prevent the wiggle more than act as a "wheel". I would
probably get a bigger post if I did it again, but this was on the fly. U bolts are sturdy and stay
square if you adjust properly. I added some caribiners to the springs to I could easily remove the
drill with Ubolts attached for quick free-drilling, though its pretty bulky for tight spaces. Total pain to
remove the bolt "cage".
Sounds like quite a bit of thought went into that.
PM sent! :)
I'm quite aware that low-priced drill presses can be bad news, but the Skil 10" drill press has had
some good reviews and tests on websites. It's also available for a wide range of prices, which I
don't understand. If you'll do a web search for it and look at a building where cows live, the price
there is quite a pleasant surprise. That's where I bought mine several months ago and I think it's
pretty good, compared with the competition.
$130 on the Home Depot website. That would probably be at least $150 where I live, but if I could
find it used that would be great!
I think I'd be willing to pay $100 for a good one that would last a long time.
I have this low end version from Harbor Freight and I'm more than happy with it. You can buy it for
~ $52 with a 20% coupon.
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http://www.harborfreight.com/8-in-5-speed-bench-dr...
I wish I had HF where I live...

Yeah, the store is pretty addicting. BTW, standard shipping is only $7.

I had one of the HF 8" drill presses and it was great while I had it. Then I moved and had to leave
it. Now I have a shop again and am slowly rebuilding my tool collection. The Skil drill press is a
10", so is slightly larger and heavier than the HF was, though not much heavier.
Since it seems okay to mention a dealer, I got the Skill drill press from ToolBarn in Omaha
Nebraska USA. It is currently $114, plus $9 shipping. Unfortunately for Yonotan, I can't find any
indication they will ship outside the USA..
Thats amazing.Thinking to make one after the exams ;P

Glad you liked it! :)

This video just popped up in my homepage. I've skipped to the end, so I haven't watched
everything:

//www.youtube.com/embed/Web0djZeOZI

Look similar and pretty cool!

This one is pretty nice too: http://free-marine.com/yoon/wooden-drill-press/
There are several really cool ones here too, on Instructables.
This is cool, but it sure ain't free! You have to pay for the drill and the part to make the base. Other
than that, you did a great job!
You don't have to, you might have to!
The drill I used is probably around 20 years old (It looks like new only before you look inside the
motor and see how much concrete is stuck inside!). The particleboard base was salvaged from a
cabinet exactly 11 months ago, and has been sitting in my "sheet goods" pile waiting for a purpose.
I don't have a place like goodwill in my location, but I've heard that you can buy a used drill for only
a few bucks.
It took me only a few months to find the correct parts :)
I guess if you have the parts it is sorta free, and yes, the drill looks new.

Well, it's made in Germany, so... It has to work perfectly and look new even after 100 years!

If you built your own drill press, what special features wood , ' you add?

UPDATE:
1. I removed the spacer/shim from between the column and the base, since it made the
column wobble a bit. I put two thin pieces of plastic in the drill holder clamp instead.
2. Both of the wooden spacers that I used are for increasing the depth of the throat. See?
Terminology isn't my thing!
I know bold makes it harder to read, but more people will read it this way...
I suggest adding a 15" arm to the qube + a hole + a thin rope fixed at the end of the arm. Drop the
rope to stop almost 1 ft. from the floor. At that end of the rope attach a flat lumber about 2 ft. long
and put your foot over it to lower the drill onto the work piece. This will free both hands. Why not
having a square tube for the drill column?

Build Your Own Drill Press for FREE!: Page 25

I think I understand that... I think.
I used the table leg because I didn't have the right sized square tubing. I don't think it matters that
much...
This looks like it is good for drilling vertically but seems there could be some wiggle room side-to-
side on this setup.
Side to side, in the part that holds the drill (drill holder/drill clamp)?
I did have a bit of wiggle, but I've been told that I can clamp it even harder than what I already did (I
was scared to do it). That should help, but I still want to add some aligning rods so the drill won't
move at all...
The side to side movement of the cube was fixed at step 11.
I can see what you did to avoid wiggle there, what I am referring to is the fact that it seems to be on
a rounded bar/tube. I don't understand how the system doesn't swing about (not super freely, but
enough to not hit the spot you want) when drilling. and maybe it will swing/shift but once you have
it close you can see where it will hit and adjust as needed.
because, as I see it, the drill moves vertically on the tube and that tube doesn't have any notch or
guide to help keep the vertical motion in a straight, non-side-to-side motion. Maybe I am missing
something still. I applaud the approach and vision/concept.
The column is round? Yes.
You mean the fact that if can swing from side to side? If can, but it's like holding a regular drill.
Think of the fact that the column is just a guide that helps me push the drill down at a 90 degree
angle. I find this actually pretty nice, since sometimes I clamp something on a drill press table, and
it's just a bit off. Now, instead of undoing the clamps and trying again, chances are that if can be
fixed like this...
If that answers your questions, you can put a metal rod in one of the corners, through the
base/table and into the cube. I think it might not swing side to side that way...
I've also noticed that the spacer/shim that I put under the column to achieve 90 degrees made the
column unstable. If I use the tip that I showed (I think it was in step 1, in bold), the sides are good
(+/- a mm...), but the front and back aren't. Maybe I could stick a small piece of plywood in the drill
holder, which might be better - I don't know.
I'm not sure I understood your questions, but hopefully this describes it better :)
that response probably answered it. yes, the question was though you have a nice vertical, in
theory, the drill could swing about that pole.
perhaps instead of a notch, the idea of a rod (or 3 to form a triangular stabilizer) it could also work
out just fine.
and here I was, thinking on buying one of those things (a cheapish one since I'm cheap when it
comes to tools... then I end up regretting not spending more money when they inevitably break).
now I've changed my mind - I know what my next project will be.
I understand you... :)
Buy cheap buy twice. Buy more expensive and regret it (if it doesn't get lost)
Don't forget to share pictures! The free premium membership is stil available!
I desparately need one of these!

Don't forget to share a picture if you do build one! :)

Nice concept. Well presented. While this project isn't for everyone, I can't think of one that is, it has
a place in the back of my mind for when such a thing might be of use.
Build Your Own Drill Press for FREE!: Page 26
True! :)
jarabito suggested that this could be used as a camera holder. I bet it could be used for many more
things too!
Yonatan, you have some of the most awesome ibles out there. It seems like every time I'm reading
through random Instructables and one really peaks my interest and compels me to look and see
who submitted it, it's always Yonatan24. Amazing ideas and ingenuity!

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