The project requires drilling pilot holes into the ends of boards that
are roughly 30" long. You can see that this can be a problem even with
a floor drill press.

Is there a way to get around this problem? Perhaps a benchtop drill
press whose top can swivel away from the base?

For drilling holes in the ends of boards, you'd be better off with a
doweling jig.

http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/200...eling-Jig.aspx