Drill press mod

[immortalx]

I have a big floor drill press in my shop but I don't have one in my "hobby workshop". So there was a bench drill press on offer at lidl and thought I should get one and make some improvements. This is the original model :


The biggest problem with those bench models is the shallow throat. I build guitars as a hobby and i needed a big throat to be able to drill bridge post holes in body blanks. I used scrap pieces of square tubing for the construction. I drilled 4 holes at the back of the drill head and fixed it on the vertical tubing. I made the holes oversized on purpose, so that I could fine tune the alignment of the head in relation to the table. I moved the motor further back and got a matching belt to get it running. The table is just another piece of square tubing with an old cabinet door bolted on top. Finally, I made a bracket with welded steel plates so that the table can travel up and down. I used the original threaded handle to tighten the bracket on the vertical column.

Here's a photo with the original base in front for comparison :

[Christophe Mineau]

Wao, that's a mod !
Congratulations !
I like it !
Christophe

[Hotz]

Great idea.

[kbalch]

Thanks immortalx! I've added your Drill Press Modification to our Drilling and Drill Presses category, as well as to your builder page: immortalx's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

Drill Press Modification by immortalx

tags: drill press, modification

[Captainleeward]

WOWA thats some serious square tubing their partner....Great Mod now I have to clear my throat too..

[FixJeeps.com]

I really like that mod!!! If only I could do that to my mill .

[DIYer]

Great mod, and a very practical solution to your specific need.

[immortalx]

Thanks guys

[Nadogail]

Allow me to join the chorus in thanking you for the fine example of making something that was good better.

[blkadder]

Pretty awesome mod you have there. I have a small Craftsman drill press that I have been trying to get to drill straight. Now I see your mod, and I may copy it to give me a bit more room while drilling. Thanks for posting your project.

Ron