Are you thinking of buying a few new tools for woodworking? Well, then you might want to take a look at this guide about getting a drill press! You might think that this is just another ordinary tool; however, your opinions may change after taking a look at all the advantages and benefits after reading this guide. So, are you ready to learn just how you can make your woodworking process more enjoyable? Keep reading.
How does a Drill Press work?
A drill press is a type of machine which is used to drill holes in the wood – or enlarge them. In comparison to the other types of machines, this type of tool will make sure that the holes are aligned perfectly and have just the right amount of depth to them. You can use a drill press in many different materials – from woods to metals and much more. A drill press will help you make flawless holes with accuracy and efficiency!
This type of tool can do many different tasks depending on the outcome you’re looking for! You can start off by locating the hole and attaching the correct drill bit. After this, the rpm can be set, and you can finish off by cleaning everything up. There are many different parts to a drill press that can help optimize your time and hard work – drill head, spindle, motor, chuck, table, base, table clamp, speed adjustment option, etc.
Why Should you get a Drill Press?
It’s definitely something that intermediate-level or professional-level woodworkers should have in their garage! Installing a drill press in your garage of going to make your woodworking a really fun process as you will be able to let your creativity flow freely as any type of hole can be made with a drill press! Your job will get easier. Here are a few advantages of having a drill press in your very own garage.
1. Accuracy
A normal drill machine can definitely be used to cut good shaped holes, but it’s nowhere near to what a drill press can do! If you’re lucky, you might be able to get a joke of just the right depth and density using a normal drill. However, when it comes to using a drill press – you’re going to have a lucky day every day! A flawless hole can be made any day using a drill press if you set it upright and use the accurate drill bit.
2. Efficiency
One of the main reasons many people tend to invest in drill presses is the fact that you can save up a lot more time using them! How does that happen? Well, if you’re working with a normal drill – it might take a few mistakes and retries to get the final product that you want. However, when it comes to using a drill press – the perfect hole can be made on the first try! This will not only be satisfying but also help save up a lot of your precious time.
3. Comfort
Safety and comfort are two factors that should come first when you’re looking for a tool in the market. It can be really easy to get injuries when working with heavy tools like these. A drill press will provide you with stability as it has an adjustable table and eliminates any vibration to avoid injuries or damage. Furthermore, the stress on the body will be comparatively very less as this tool has a good height for a user to work with. Anyone will back pain issues can also easily work with this tool.
4. Power
When it comes to making durable and strong pieces, it’s very common to use hard materials that are going to last a long time. However, strong materials like hardwood and metal can be difficult to cut through. This is why a drill press will come in handy! A drill press has certainly a lot more power in comparison to a normal drill. You won’t have to use your own power or repeatedly try to force your drill into the material as the cut will be made in just a few seconds.
5. Creativity / Versatility
Woodworkers are artists as they need to have a creative brain in order to come up with new and different things. A drill press is very versatile and will let you make different types of circular holes in various materials. Many different accessories and parts can be used to make these holes which make a drill bit very versatile. This can fuel the creativity of the users to make something unique and out of the box – by experimenting on different surfaces and materials.
Tips for Getting the Most out of Drill Press Woodworking
Buying a new drill press is just not enough unless you know the right tips to make it work without any hassle. When it comes to working with a drill press, your maximum output relies on two main measurables i.e., how to get the perfect holes with perpendicular alignment and at what pace should you be able to do it. Below you can get to know everything about perpendicular alignment and the right speed for getting the most out of your drill press.
1. Perpendicular Alignment
One of the best ways to get the perfect holes when working with a drill press is by drinking the table perpendicular at an angle of 90 degrees. This will not only make the process safer but also ensure that the wood piece is perfectly set flat on the table. Once the position is set, fix the table.
2. Speed
Speed is definitely an important factor when it comes to the safety and quality of the cut. You can easily damage the material by using a high speed while cause harsh wood dust formation with low speed. I’d you want to achieve the perfect cut, set a safe average drilling speed.
What to look for in a Drill Press?
Apart from your budgetary constraint, of course, there are a few other things you need to look out for while buying your drill press. But above all these features are largely dependent on the type of project you will be using the drill press on. Certainly, you wouldn’t want a floor model for a small project, if your project requires deeper holes you definitely need a higher horsepower and the type of material you will work on will help you decide on the speeding feature. So, before making your purchase, clearly list down your project requirements and deliverables.
1. Model Type
The model that you end up choosing will depend on the type of project that you’re working on. If it is a small-scale project, a benchtop model will work perfectly fine. However, for large-scale projects – use a floor model as that will help you get the results that you want.
2. Horsepower
The horsepower is directly proportional to making deeper holes. Higher the horsepower, the deeper the holes that you will be able to make into the material. It’s recommended to go for 1HP if you’re going to work on small to average projects in your own garage at home.
3. Speed Adjustment
Speed depends on the material that you’re dealing with. If you’re going to work with wood, a higher speed will be required; whole a slower speed will work great for metal. You can look for a huge range so you can get your money’s worth. 500 to 4000 RPMs will be alright for home use.
Conclusion
A drill press may be a new tool in the woodworking industry, but a few years down the line – everyone will be buying this tool due to its efficiency and overall ease. If you’re someone who is planning to keep woodworking for a long time, this will definitely be a great investment of your money. It’s recommended to look for a drill press with a benchtop model, 1 HP horsepower, and 500 to 4000 RPMs speed to work at ease in your own garage.
