Gents, am looking for a pillar drill for the work bench, would class the use as heavyish DIY, with steel and brass being drilled, do any of you have a recommendation for a good quality drill?
TIA
mike
I’m torn between finding an older British machine like a meddings from ebay or a machine tool dealer
OR going for one of Axminster power tools offering- they do some trade/industrial rated kithttps://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-trade-series-atdp16b-bench-pillar-drill-102553
Last edited by GOAT; 3rd March 2018 at 20:38.
I’ve been looking for ages on eBay. There’s lots on there but they are mainly either quite low powered (250-330w) or three phase.
I’m really after a floor standing one rather than bench drill.
IMO ya can't beat old 1950-1970s bench or pillar drills, I'd stay clear of Chinese / Indian kit.
Last edited by Bry1975; 3rd March 2018 at 21:36.
An older British or German machine would be my preferred choice.
hi,i would agree with previous posters something british or german with plenty of weight to it but make sure the chuck runs true.if its .cheap modern stuff is comparatively lightweight and shakes and vibrates like hell when you work it hard..
I had a woodworking workshop for a while with varying qualities of equipment - got good stuff for the items I used a lot (and bad tolerance would affect the final piece), but for some tasks I got some cheaper gear.
I found with a pillar drill, as above, you are really much better off getting something old but good than a new thing of the same value. The runout on anything new/cheap is insane, and when running they usually sound like a bag of spanners.
Definitely find something full of character off ebay would be my advice.
Another vote for buying a second - hand quality machine. Cheap new stuff is likely to be poor and good quality new stuff won’t be cheap.
Years ago, the firm I worked for was closing workshops on site, I had chance to get lots of stuff like this but didn’t have the space. Managed to get a 6” Record vice for a nominal £2, still got that, and a few taps and dies, but that’s all.
I’d expect someone to be specialising in selling stuff like this second- hand, so I guess a trawl of the internet is the way to go. Good luck!
Paul
+1Originally Posted by 200mwaterresistant
My pillar drill I found in a skip when I was a lad, climbed in the skip and two mates helped me get the thing out. It was an old leather drive belt drive type, must have been 100 years old in 1975. Bolted it to my workbench, washing machine motor on the back and Mini fan belt to drive it. Still running today, not a spec of run-out even on full droop (as it were). Fantastic thing. Not suggesting you climb in a skip of course, but to get a good new one I suspect you'll pay a great deal of money. If you can find an old solid one it will probably last forever. Incidentally I had hair in those days and was always nervous about catching it in the pulley so cut up a Party Seven can (remember them?) and fitted it in front of the pulley. Sadly, don't need this early H&S device now as time has taken it's toll on my follicles. Hope you find what you want.
Thank you all for the advice, I am now looking for an old English/German one, out of interest is "record" a good quality ?
mike
Mike
These guys might be worth a ring
http://www.leesidetools.co.uk/index.htm
Even if they don't have anything, they will give solid advice and may have other leads for you.
Cheers
Foggy
If you're using it for home/hobby use as opposed to industrial, a decent Chinese drill press is absolutely fine.
Chinese machine manufacturing is nowhere near as bad as it was 10 years ago.
They make some decent stuff these days.
Top line Clarke, Axminster, Machine Mart, Chester Machine Tools...nearly all Chinese.
Mine isn't particularly expensive, from memory it's got a 400w motor.
No problems drilling 30mm holes into mild steel.
Correct gearing, lubrication, take your time, and it's easy enough.
Last year I bought a really cheapo chinese cross vice to bolt onto the drill table instead of my record, bit of fettling to get rid of all the backlash, but again it works fine.
Don't discount the Chinese stuff.
It's not that poorly made. (mostly)
Last edited by Tifa; 4th March 2018 at 13:20.
Thanks ian.
Not bad advice, I use my mill for most drilling jobs now as the head bearings are so much sturdier.
Remember nobody ever regretted buying one too big.
A friend is disposing of a sturdy pillar drill, but collection is required from south Lincs. PM me if of any use.
Argos have a 350w one for £55
http://www.argos.co.uk/product/4769639
Currently watching a nice meddings off the bay
mike
Also consider Fobco and Startrite.
Just read this thread as I'm after a pillar drill. We did up the workshop and emptied an old lockup about 15 years ago, brings a tear to the eye remembering all the stuff the scrap man had away!
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