5 simple yet effective drill press modification ideas

2022-05-14 11:19:15 By : Ms. Alina Gao

Give these handy hacks a try!

If the video player is not working, you can click on  this alternative video link. So, you've got a drill press but need some ideas to make it even better? Then these 5 hacks/modifications will take your drill pressing to the next level. 

As you can imagine, you'll need some tools and materials before you get started.

With all your gear in hand, it is time to get on with this great little build.

For this idea, take another drill chuck and partially dismantle it. Then reassemble it attached to the main table of the drill press, chuck pointing upwards.

Tighten the chuck into place on the table as needed so that it cannot move freely. This can now be used as a vice to hold something more delicate into place so that you can bore a hole through it. 

For example, the "vice" can be used to hold items like screws so that they can be hollowed out, etc. Either the main drill press chuck or the base "vice" chuck can be used to do the drilling or hold the item in question - it is very versatile. 

Take your right-angled steel and cut a pair of short lengths of it roughly the same width as your drill press table. Then, drill two holes to match the distance between the rails of the table using your drill press on each piece.

Remove and paint the piece in whatever color you want, or not at all. Use some nuts and bolts to mount your new pieces to the drill press table as needed. These can now be used as a pair of "jaws" to secure either irregularly-shaped things or bits of wood/metal, firmly in place on the table so they can be safely and effectively drilled using the press. 

You can even secure things like cylinders or metal or wood between the "jaws" so that they can be polished or drilled as needed. If you leave the "jaws" slightly open the cylinder or rod can even be turned in place. 

Take your wooden sheet and mark out a line down the very center of it. Then mount the wood to your table with the main drill aligned with the line. 

With that done, screw two lengths of wood underneath the sheet to secure it against the main table. Then, mark out the position and shape of the main rails of the table underneath the sheet and drill some mounting holes through it. 

With that done, route out the center of the top of the sheet, and glue a length of wood to the rear. Next, mount the piece to the drill press table. 

You now have your own adjustable woodworking guide for your drill press!

Using your drill press, cut out a series of wooden disks from some wood as needed. You'll need eight in total. Once done, glue them together and insert them on a steel rod to make a wooden roller. 

With that done, add a sheet of wood to the table, bore a hole through the middle to match the dimensions of the main bolt of the roller. Then add a series of more nuts to the other end of the roller and secure the roller vertically between the chuck and wooden sheet on the table. 

Sand down and level the wooden cylinder as needed. then apply a layer of glue and affix some sandpaper to the cylinder. You now have your own vertical rotary sander attachment!

Add some boxing to the base to collect and vacuum away the sawdust too. 

Take a block of wood and mark out a grid on the top. Then drill a series of different sized holes at each intersection of the grid. 

Remove the wood, bevel the edges, and sand down the top. Lacquer the piece as needed. With that done, cut out, shape, drill, and paint a pair of wooden brackets and secure them to the main block as shown. The bracket needs to match the dimensions of the main neck of your drill press. 

With that done, mount the piece to your drill press behind the main drill head. This can now be used to store all of your drill bits to the side of the main drill press for ease of access. 

And that's your lot for today. If you enjoyed these little tips for pimping your drill press, you might now be looking to make something else? How about, for example, making a little toy car? 

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