Hi All,

I am in the market for a lightish duty (more 'little and often' than
'continuous' use) floor mounted pillar drill. I would prefer to spend
as little as necessary to get something useable.

I've looked at Machine Mart, Axminster and eBay and there seems to be
quite a lot of choice, but in some cases I can't easily spot those
things that may be of real value (to me).

Like, I would like at least a 13mm chuck but bigger could be better.

A 1m chuck to bed / base height would be good as well (I need 650mm
for my current project).

I don't think I need a million speeds as I'm happy to take my time so
don't need to push anything to the limits.

I noticed the Axminister 'Hobby' drill:

http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster...r-radial-drill

Gives all sorts of flexibility on the head angle but does that sort of
flexibility only add to issues re keeping everything plumb and square
(etc)? If all that flexibility makes it less accurate / durable when
it's not needed, will I regret buying such later on (like bench vices
that swivel that then swivel when you don't want them to)?

As usual, all thoughts welcomed. ;-)

Cheers, T i m

T i m wrote:
Hi All,

I am in the market for a lightish duty (more 'little and often' than
'continuous' use) floor mounted pillar drill. I would prefer to spend
as little as necessary to get something useable.

I've looked at Machine Mart, Axminster and eBay and there seems to be
quite a lot of choice, but in some cases I can't easily spot those
things that may be of real value (to me).

Like, I would like at least a 13mm chuck but bigger could be better.

A 1m chuck to bed / base height would be good as well (I need 650mm
for my current project).

I don't think I need a million speeds as I'm happy to take my time so
don't need to push anything to the limits.

I noticed the Axminister 'Hobby' drill:

http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster...r-radial-drill

Gives all sorts of flexibility on the head angle but does that sort of
flexibility only add to issues re keeping everything plumb and square
(etc)? If all that flexibility makes it less accurate / durable when
it's not needed, will I regret buying such later on (like bench vices
that swivel that then swivel when you don't want them to)?

As usual, all thoughts welcomed. ;-)

Cheers, T i m


I bought the Rexon DP3800 from Screwfix some years ago, when it
was on special offer. Has worked OK for me and I understand that Rexon
are the world's largest hobby drill manufacture. Don't like the friction
chuck however, I prefer keyed ones.

On Fri, 25 Sep 2015 17:14:51 +0100, Capitol wrote:

snip and sorry for the delay in replying

I bought the Rexon DP3800 from Screwfix some years ago, when it
was on special offer. Has worked OK for me and I understand that Rexon
are the world's largest hobby drill manufacture.

Interesting. I think my mate uses mainly Rexon on his modeling size
tools.

Don't like the friction
chuck however, I prefer keyed ones.

As do I generally, except for good ones on battery drills etc.

If you look at the reviews for some of the Clarke ones (for example)
on the MM site they do seem to draw less than glowing reviews.

Now, I've had a 'cheapo' pillar drill for over 30 years and it's never
let me down (so far) but maybe I don't expect as much, or push such
tools as hard as some? That said, I have stalled the motor a few
times, as bigger bits catch in jobs etc but I look at that as a safety
feature, not a sign that the motor is underpowered. ;-)

I'm still looking about, possibly considering an older one.

Cheers, T i m

On Friday, 25 September 2015 16:22:14 UTC+1, T i m wrote:
Hi All,

I am in the market for a lightish duty (more 'little and often' than
'continuous' use) floor mounted pillar drill. I would prefer to spend
as little as necessary to get something useable.

I've looked at Machine Mart, Axminster and eBay and there seems to be
quite a lot of choice, but in some cases I can't easily spot those
things that may be of real value (to me).

Like, I would like at least a 13mm chuck but bigger could be better.

A 1m chuck to bed / base height would be good as well (I need 650mm
for my current project).

I don't think I need a million speeds as I'm happy to take my time so
don't need to push anything to the limits.

I noticed the Axminister 'Hobby' drill:

http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster...r-radial-drill

Gives all sorts of flexibility on the head angle but does that sort of
flexibility only add to issues re keeping everything plumb and square
(etc)? If all that flexibility makes it less accurate / durable when
it's not needed, will I regret buying such later on (like bench vices
that swivel that then swivel when you don't want them to)?

As usual, all thoughts welcomed. ;-)

Cheers, T i m

Re big drills.
Check if the one you buy has a Morse taper chuck.
If so, the chuck can be removed and drills with morse taper shanks fitted.

'Twas once traditional but many don't have it now.

T i m wrote:
On Fri, 25 Sep 2015 17:14:51 +0100, Capitol wrote:

snip and sorry for the delay in replying

I bought the Rexon DP3800 from Screwfix some years ago, when it
was on special offer. Has worked OK for me and I understand that Rexon
are the world's largest hobby drill manufacture.

Interesting. I think my mate uses mainly Rexon on his modeling size
tools.

Don't like the friction
chuck however, I prefer keyed ones.

As do I generally, except for good ones on battery drills etc.

If you look at the reviews for some of the Clarke ones (for example)
on the MM site they do seem to draw less than glowing reviews.

Now, I've had a 'cheapo' pillar drill for over 30 years and it's never
let me down (so far) but maybe I don't expect as much, or push such
tools as hard as some? That said, I have stalled the motor a few
times, as bigger bits catch in jobs etc but I look at that as a safety
feature, not a sign that the motor is underpowered. ;-)

I'm still looking about, possibly considering an older one.

Cheers, T i m

Tim , Consider a bench one mounted on the end of the bench so you can
swing the head round 90 degrees. You can then rest the work on the
floor, workmate, boxes etc etc when you need drill into a larger workpiece.

On 28/09/2015 19:29, Bob Minchin wrote:
T i m wrote:
On Fri, 25 Sep 2015 17:14:51 +0100, Capitol wrote:

snip and sorry for the delay in replying

I bought the Rexon DP3800 from Screwfix some years ago, when it
was on special offer. Has worked OK for me and I understand that Rexon
are the world's largest hobby drill manufacture.

Interesting. I think my mate uses mainly Rexon on his modeling size
tools.

Don't like the friction
chuck however, I prefer keyed ones.

As do I generally, except for good ones on battery drills etc.

If you look at the reviews for some of the Clarke ones (for example)
on the MM site they do seem to draw less than glowing reviews.

Now, I've had a 'cheapo' pillar drill for over 30 years and it's never
let me down (so far) but maybe I don't expect as much, or push such
tools as hard as some? That said, I have stalled the motor a few
times, as bigger bits catch in jobs etc but I look at that as a safety
feature, not a sign that the motor is underpowered. ;-)

I'm still looking about, possibly considering an older one.

Cheers, T i m

Tim , Consider a bench one mounted on the end of the bench so you can
swing the head round 90 degrees. You can then rest the work on the
floor, workmate, boxes etc etc when you need drill into a larger workpiece.

I recently used a Bosch PBD40 and was very impressed. I've already got
an old (Meddings?) floor-standing drill but would probably go for the
Bosch if I was in the market.

wrote:
On 28/09/2015 19:29, Bob Minchin wrote:
T i m wrote:
On Fri, 25 Sep 2015 17:14:51 +0100, Capitol wrote:

snip and sorry for the delay in replying

I bought the Rexon DP3800 from Screwfix some years ago,
when it
was on special offer. Has worked OK for me and I understand that Rexon
are the world's largest hobby drill manufacture.

Interesting. I think my mate uses mainly Rexon on his modeling size
tools.

Don't like the friction
chuck however, I prefer keyed ones.

As do I generally, except for good ones on battery drills etc.

If you look at the reviews for some of the Clarke ones (for example)
on the MM site they do seem to draw less than glowing reviews.

Now, I've had a 'cheapo' pillar drill for over 30 years and it's never
let me down (so far) but maybe I don't expect as much, or push such
tools as hard as some? That said, I have stalled the motor a few
times, as bigger bits catch in jobs etc but I look at that as a safety
feature, not a sign that the motor is underpowered. ;-)

I'm still looking about, possibly considering an older one.

Cheers, T i m

Tim , Consider a bench one mounted on the end of the bench so you can
swing the head round 90 degrees. You can then rest the work on the
floor, workmate, boxes etc etc when you need drill into a larger
workpiece.

I recently used a Bosch PBD40 and was very impressed. I've already got
an old (Meddings?) floor-standing drill but would probably go for the
Bosch if I was in the market.
Is the bosch an induction motor machine? the description I read is not
clear. If it is the usual brush motor then it is very overpriced IMHO.

On 28/09/2015 21:10, Bob Minchin wrote:
wrote:
On 28/09/2015 19:29, Bob Minchin wrote:
T i m wrote:
On Fri, 25 Sep 2015 17:14:51 +0100, Capitol wrote:

snip and sorry for the delay in replying

I bought the Rexon DP3800 from Screwfix some years ago,
when it
was on special offer. Has worked OK for me and I understand that Rexon
are the world's largest hobby drill manufacture.

Interesting. I think my mate uses mainly Rexon on his modeling size
tools.

Don't like the friction
chuck however, I prefer keyed ones.

As do I generally, except for good ones on battery drills etc.

If you look at the reviews for some of the Clarke ones (for example)
on the MM site they do seem to draw less than glowing reviews.

Now, I've had a 'cheapo' pillar drill for over 30 years and it's never
let me down (so far) but maybe I don't expect as much, or push such
tools as hard as some? That said, I have stalled the motor a few
times, as bigger bits catch in jobs etc but I look at that as a safety
feature, not a sign that the motor is underpowered. ;-)

I'm still looking about, possibly considering an older one.

Cheers, T i m

Tim , Consider a bench one mounted on the end of the bench so you can
swing the head round 90 degrees. You can then rest the work on the
floor, workmate, boxes etc etc when you need drill into a larger
workpiece.

I recently used a Bosch PBD40 and was very impressed. I've already got
an old (Meddings?) floor-standing drill but would probably go for the
Bosch if I was in the market.
Is the bosch an induction motor machine? the description I read is not
clear. If it is the usual brush motor then it is very overpriced IMHO.

It has a continuously variable speed control (plus gearbox) so I assumed
it had a DC motor, but all I did was use it for a week during a course.
The depth read-out was useful, as were the laser sight, work clamp and
light.

Capitol wrote:
T i m wrote:
Hi All,

I am in the market for a lightish duty (more 'little and often' than
'continuous' use) floor mounted pillar drill. I would prefer to spend
as little as necessary to get something useable.

I've looked at Machine Mart, Axminster and eBay and there seems to be
quite a lot of choice, but in some cases I can't easily spot those
things that may be of real value (to me).

Like, I would like at least a 13mm chuck but bigger could be better.

A 1m chuck to bed / base height would be good as well (I need 650mm
for my current project).

I don't think I need a million speeds as I'm happy to take my time so
don't need to push anything to the limits.

I noticed the Axminister 'Hobby' drill:

http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster...r-radial-drill


Gives all sorts of flexibility on the head angle but does that sort of
flexibility only add to issues re keeping everything plumb and square
(etc)? If all that flexibility makes it less accurate / durable when
it's not needed, will I regret buying such later on (like bench vices
that swivel that then swivel when you don't want them to)?

As usual, all thoughts welcomed. ;-)

Cheers, T i m

I bought the Rexon DP3800 from Screwfix some years ago, when it
was on special offer. Has worked OK for me and I understand that Rexon
are the world's largest hobby drill manufacture. Don't like the friction
chuck however, I prefer keyed ones.

What is your objection to friction chucks, I tossed the keyed one and
got an industrial grade hand operated one which is the best thing since
sliced bread, never slips even on the largest drills.
I can remember having to hit key with a hammer on the old one, to get it
tight (granted the quality of the keyed one was not much,but it came
with the drill.
I think the trick with the hand one is to get industrial grade.

On Wed, 30 Sep 2015 13:35:43 +1000, F Murtz
wrote:

snip

I think the trick with the hand one is to get industrial grade.


You may well be right, or just get lucky re the chuck that comes with
your drill?

I bought a De Walt a long time ago and it came with a keyless chuck.
That was my second keyless on a hand drill, the first on another drill
was replaced with a keyed when it would come undone now and again.

The first job I did with the DeWalt was to drill some holes in some
thin sheet steel using a stepped drill. That worked ok till I came to
get the bit out and out and couldn't. Long - short, I took it back to
the shop and *eventually* they managed to get it undone but only after
mullering the chuck up with a pipe wrench and the bench vise.

They fitted me a std keyed chuck and that was fine ever since. ;-)

I bought a cheap battery drill from the market and apart from the
nicads dying over time, the drill and keyless chuck have been fine. I
did have to rebuild the chuck release ring as it was only made of
plastic and eventually started to spin. I turned a support ring and
glued it all back together and that is now also fine.

I got my first one handed keyless chuck on a Stanley Li drill and
apart from the chuck having a slight wobble (a common issue on those
drills apparently) it seems to work ok. It does come undone if you
don't do it up reasonably tight when you release the trigger quickly
and the auto-lock comes in.

I don't know that I would want a keyless chuck on a pillar drill for
all sorts of reasons. ;-)

Cheers, T i m

p.s. I used the term 'pillar drill' (along with 'drill press') when
IM'ing a mate in The States recently and he said he had never heard
the term 'pillar drill'. Am I right in thinking that is what we
generally call them over here (UK)? (although I also know they can
also be called 'drill presses').