Cheap Drill Press Improvements

From the very first day I bought this drill press (Parkside PTBM 500 C3)
I had in mind to replace the column that was too poor (a tube ø46x450x1.5mm) and relatively short with a solid one
as well as its base with something more robust and stiffer like a cast iron plate or a steel plate.

https://youtu.be/Pu_QIyC-Xv8

The major problem was at the base; wrong geometry.
When I push to drill then the main base distorts around the column and starting to move up and backwards losing its verticality.

Attachment 25211

I have an older model (PTBM 500 A1) that its base whereas it was sheet metal made;
I never encountered any distortion issues like in this model.

Attachment 25212 Attachment 25213

Searching at the junkyard I found this stand that probably once it was a drill press base that later was modified to be used for some other application.
Its column diameter was ø45mm (one millimeter less than the needed) but it wasn't a so big deal.
The base of the stand was cast iron.
So I decided to buy it and give a try.

Attachment 25214 Attachment 25201 Attachment 25202 Attachment 25203 Attachment 25204 Attachment 25205 Attachment 25206 Attachment 25207 Attachment 25208 Attachment 25209 Attachment 25210 Attachment 25215 Attachment 25216 Attachment 25217 Attachment 25218 Attachment 25219 Attachment 25221 Attachment 25222 Attachment 25223

Wow, my little Craftsman drill press needs this mod. I was thinking of filling the column with either sand or concrete, but your method is much better. I just wish we had junkyards like this around where I live. Thanks for posting this.

Hi blkadder,

Glad that you like it.
I think that the Craftsman’s base is cast iron made.
If so you need to replace only the column.
You can order from your local dealer to cut a piece according to the length of your need.
The cost isn’t too expensive (perhaps about 1.5$/kg).
You can use the table to calculate the kilograms according to your column’s dia.

Regards

Attachment 25229 Attachment 25230

<!-- BEGIN /var/www/html/homemadetools/protected/modules/zeus/views/tool/postUpdate.php -->
Thanks kess! We've added your Drill Press Modification to our Drilling and Drill Presses category,
as well as to your builder page: kess's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

<div id="blocks"> <div class="block b1 pngfix"> <div class="bimg"> <div> <a href="http://www.homemadetools.net/homemade-drill-press-modification-8"> <img src="/uploads/217136/homemade-drill-press-modification-8.jpeg"/> </a> </div> </div> <div class="head pngfix"></div> <div class="left pngfix"></div> <div class="right pngfix"></div> <div class="blockover b1 pngfix"> <div class="title"> <a href="http://www.homemadetools.net/homemade-drill-press-modification-8">Drill Press Modification</a> <span> by <a href="http://www.homemadetools.net/builder/kess">kess</a></span> </div> <div class="tags">tags: <a href='http://www.homemadetools.net/tag/drill-press'>drill press</a>, <a href='http://www.homemadetools.net/tag/modification'>modification</a> </div> </div> </div> </div>
<!-- END /var/www/html/homemadetools/protected/modules/zeus/views/tool/postUpdate.php -->

Thanks a lot DIYer

Regards

Nice work! That certainly looks a lot better.

Thanks a lot

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by kess

Hi blkadder,

Glad that you like it.
I think that the Craftsman’s base is cast iron made.
If so you need to replace only the column.
You can order from your local dealer to cut a piece according to the length of your need.
The cost isn’t too expensive (perhaps about 1.5$/kg).
You can use the table to calculate the kilograms according to your column’s dia.

Regards

Attachment 25229 Attachment 25230

---

i heared of people using old drillrig pipe or a chromed piston piece from a hydraulic cilinder , the last is pretty smooth tough and hard to bend even when hanging a metric ton off it