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Posted to uk.d-i-y
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Drill stand or cheap pillar drill?
On 02/12/2014 21:01, wrote:
I'm a bit too tight to buy an expensive pillar drill, but my inability to drill with accuracy has hampered a few DIY tasks over the years. I'm not generally doing stuff at fraction of a millimetre tolerance, but results better than my freehand efforts would be useful.
I have seen el cheapo pillar drills at 50 to 100 quid. I have also seen drill stands to take a regular hand held drill for similar money. My drill is an old-ish Bosch (650w power, IIRC). On the pillar drill front, lots of the cheap ones get poor reviews, with particular criticism levelled at side to side play in the chucks or the raising/lowering mechanism. At least I know my hand held drill is quite well made.
The question, then, is which approach is better? Perhaps both my options are **** and I need to dig deep, or forget it. Suggestions/experience please.
Thanks.
Terry.
I have one of the original B&D stands, also a more recent (25 year old)
one which fits to the standard "handle collar" and it is only marginally
better than the B&D.
IMO even my bargain basement pillar drill is better than this. There is
much more control on the drilling "capstan" which is a proper geared
drive, not just a lever. Also the speed control pulleys mean you have
more torque at low speed. It's all steel and cast iron so much heavier
than an alloy drill stand. And much easier to fit clamps to the
"floating" table. Certainly if you are doing precision metalwork,
spending more on a better pillar drill is worth it. But if you are
basically doing blacksmithing rather than machining a cheap one is OK.
You can have both my old stands if you are anywhere near Stroud!
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