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Various tools can be used in a workshop and for DIY projects. To understand what you need for your tasks, you should know how to utilize certain devices. From this article, you will learn detailed information about drill presses, which will help you decide on the equipment for your workshop.
What is a drill press used for? What kind of holes can you make with it? And is it worth buying for a private workshop? Read this article to find answers to these questions and more.
What Is a Drill Press?
A drill press is a specialized piece of equipment designed to make holes of various diameters and depths in wood, metal, and plastic. The principle of its operation is much like using a hand drill. However, the performance of drill presses is much higher.
It only at first glance seems that their application is somewhat limited. In fact, they can be used to make blind and through holes of incredible accuracy. If precision is your priority, opt for drill presses.
Whichever type you choose, you should know that it is a rather bulky piece of equipment. That is, in your room, workshop, or garage, there should be enough space to install it.
And you should be able to operate it safely without fear of hitting nearby objects. Regardless of the type, any machine consists of the following components:
- Stable and heavy base;
- Adjustable table for laying materials;
- Head with a motor and drilling equipment;
- Strong column on which the parts listed above are attached.
The capabilities of drill presses vary depending on motor power, speed, capacity, and many other parameters.
Benefits of Drill Presses
Compared to hand tools, stationary machines have many undeniable advantages:
- Maximum precision. The probability of defects is practically excluded, which minimizes costs and positively affects production profitability.
- High speed and quality of processing. These parameters are critical both in mass production and medium or small workshop.
- Quick setup and security. Problems with quality drilling machines that have a manufacturer’s warranty are excluded.
- A wide range of possible operations (up to several dozen). You will be able to work with workpieces, parts, and whole products with different parameters (material, size, and density).
- Enough power for trouble-free operation even under heavy loads. For commercial purposes, 600 W and above power machines are optimal.
Application of Drill Presses
As already mentioned, the main use of drill presses is drilling holes in various materials. But the shape and purpose of these holes can be very different. Here are just a few ways to use this excellent tool.
1. Twist drilling
It is the most basic action that you can perform with such equipment. A cylindrical bit with deep spiral grooves along the body is used for it. Thanks to these grooves, the chips formed during operation are brought to the surface of workpieces.
Bits of this type are available on the market in a variety of sizes, diameters, and lengths. In comparison with other forms, their range is the widest.
2. Reaming
Reaming is a kind of finishing process that you can do after conventional twist drilling. The fact is that bits for this type of work have a tiny step in the dimensional grid. Thanks to this feature, you can get ideal holes.
With the reamer, you can remove the thinnest possible layer, which is important for jobs that require extreme precision from craftsmen. Since they are not grooved like twist drilling bits, they cannot be used to drill holes from scratch.
3. Countersinking
Countersinking can be used both for smooth surfaces, creating shallow holes, and deepening already finished holes for further use of countersunk capscrews, bolts, or studs.
When working with blanks and existing holes, the bit for countersinking must fit perfectly into the center of an existing opening. Hand tools do not allow such accuracy; you can only do it with drill presses.
4. Mortise cutting
This type of processing is most often used when working with wooden workpieces. In the process, you create a special joint: “mortises” in one part and “tenons” in the other connect 2 pieces. In modern stores, you can find a highly specialized tool for creating this type of connection called a mortiser. However, if you do this kind of work from time to time, you can easily make it a more versatile drill press.
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5. Sanding
Sanding is an essential final part of many jobs, for example, when creating curved cuts with a jigsaw. You want to make sure that the workpiece’s surface is perfectly flat.
Of course, you can use a grinder for such a task. But it is also useful to know that your stationary drill press has the same capabilities. You only need a specialized nozzle, and you can adjust its rotation speed and work with various materials.
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6. Tapping
You may need holes with internal threads when creating furniture and other objects. A drill press and a special nozzle called “tap” will help you make them. Usually, such bits are supplied in sets.
For example, when working with soft materials (such as wood), 2 taps are needed (for pre-thread and final thread), while for drilling tough materials like titanium alloy, even five taps may be required. The same bits are used for “pecking,” thread finishing to remove burrs.
7. Doweling
Making dowel joints is a bit like mortise cutting. In this case, you need to make a cylindrical hole, ideal in diameter and depth for inserting a long peg.
Because a drill press can be calibrated as precisely as possible, you can be sure that you will make holes of the right size without having to remake the workpiece. It, in turn, means solid fastenings and a reliable design.
Universal Drill Press for Various Jobs
As you can see, drill presses are not limited to just drilling cylindrical holes. Stationary machines combine the features of many other highly specialized tools.
So buying one such device can replace your search for several machines at once. Drill presses make it easier to work with different materials, increasing your productivity. After all, a handy tool can complete projects much faster.
