When choosing the best drill press for a job, it helps to first know why they are often a better choice than standard hand-held drills.
Their main advantage is the mechanical advantage offered to the operator meaning that less physical effort is required. Secondly is the extra security provided by the clamp or vise on the table. Next is the accuracy and consistency of the drilled holes resulting from the spindle’s angle being fixed relative to the table. Finally is the incorporation of powerful motors in drill presses that enables the use of larger drill bits and also the speeding up of drilling with smaller bits.
When deciding which is the best drill press for your needs, you first need to be aware of the different types available on the market and their specific uses. The three most common ones are the bench top drill press, portable drill press and small drill press.
The bench top drill press is capable of drilling very quickly and its numerous spindles makes it very user-friendly whether you are using it on plastic, wood or metal. The portable version, meanwhile, is electric and cordless — using rechargeable batteries for power. They are easily adjusted and dexterous for ideal use in difficult to get to places such as at right-angles. The small drill press is basically a miniature version of the bench-top, but it isn’t incorporated with an adjustable table for the work surface.
So what do you need to consider before purchasing?
The most obvious thing is its horsepower. If you need to drill through a tough material, or just a bigger hole, greater power will improve the speed and effectiveness of the drill’s performance. Also linked to this is the number of velocity speeds. Some simple jobs may require a quicker drilling speed, while other jobs may be more intricate requiring precision and slower speeds. You will also need to consider the “bit” parameters. There is no point having a drill with a short bit if you need to drill a deep hole!
Although drill presses were originally used for creating holes in metals, rest assured that they are available for all of the most common materials such as wood and plastic. Each type of drill is designed for ultimate accuracy specific to the material involved. There should be little or no guesswork involved. Just ensure that you establish the exact diameter of the hole you are creating and the type of material. Then set the depth of the hole.
With the number of options available, the best drill press for your job is easily attainable and will make a once messy and laborious job much easier.
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