Are all drill presses belt driven? If so, why? Every time I use mine
I wonder why a modified electric hand drill design wouldn't work just
as well, especially now with the variable speed controls, brakes, etc
which have been developed. (I know I could get a converter frame and
stuff my Bosch drill into it but it's not quite the same as a dedicated
unit!)

Is it the assumption that many things done on a press will be "heavy
duty" and therefore will tear the gear guts out of a hand drill design
whereas the belt drive is more robust? Personally I use a press more
for accuracy than anything else.

Why saddle us with the nuisance of having to change belt wheels
according to the material we're drilling or bit we're using when all we
should have to do is flick the speed selector from 6 to 2 or whatever?

Again, if the question sounds dumb, apologies to the group.

FoggyTown