On 03/12/2014 10:32, Bill wrote:
In message ,
writes
Thanks for the replies. A cheap pillar drill it is, then. I hadn't
given much consideration to plunge control advantage of a "proper"
mechanism, versus the crappy lever that drill stands use. I'll do some
searching to try to find something acceptable at the lower end of the
price range.

I've had a drill stand and wouldn't buy one again.

I use a Fobco Star elderly Midlands-made bench drill. It is excellent,
and bought cheaply from the old-age retirement auction of a joinery
firm. I had seen one previously at the auction of a local kit-car
manufacturer but it only took a quick look at the state of that one to
understand why the company had failed.

I also have a cheap one bought in a B & Q sale years ago. It has more
speeds and a guard, but is nowhere near as good as the Fobco. It just
feels so much more solid and reliable and, judging by ebay prices, has
been a brilliant investment.

I bought a drill stand (cheapo jobby from MM), got it home and found it
wouldn't fit any of my drills. Went and bought a cheapo drill from
somewhere with the right size collar and being in the stand revealed
just how much run out it had, so the whole arrangement was a waste of
time.
Waste of cash - should have just put the money toward a half reasonable
pillar drill. Once again, that demonstrated that you hardly ever save
any money trying to do things on the cheap when it comes to tools.