In the workshop, the ability to drill a hole which is dead square to the horizontal plane is crucial. Therefore, the pillar drill, is one of those essential pieces of equipment that must be included at the outset. As well as its primary function of drilling holes, the addition of optional attachments increases the versatility of the machine; for example, to cut mortices. Using a drum sander in the chuck will also enable the pillar drill to be turned into an effective sanding machine for concave curves.

This guide is designed to help you with your decision. It will look at considerations and key features, so you can find the right drill for you.

Forstner bit in pillar drill

Considerations

The effective height of the machine is governed by the ‘chuck-to-table’ distance. This is the maximum dimension that can be fitted vertically under the chuck. A taller workpiece could be drilled, but this would entail moving the table through 90° in order for the workpiece to stand on the machined base. Similarly, the widest workpiece that can be drilled is determined by the ‘throat’ dimension, which is the distance from the centre of the chuck to the column. However, on certain machines, notably in the Hobby range, the head is able to tilt through a prescribed angle as well as slide back and forth. This greatly increases the ‘throat’ capacity and generally makes the machine more versatile. These are called radial pillar drills.

If the workpiece to be drilled is generally quite tall, then a floor standing drill is required. Conversely, smaller jobs may only require a bench mounted drill, which means that there is usually adequate storage room underneath. Bench mounted pillar drills are still very heavy and require a substantially constructed unit to support the weight. No matter what size drill you are buying we would strongly advise that they're assembled by more than one person!


Key Features of a Pillar Drill

The machines are relatively simple and are centred around a substantial steel column; onto one end is attached the motor, drive belt system and chuck. The other end of the column is securely located into a heavy cast iron base and between the two is the horizontal table. The table can be moved vertically by means of a rack and pinion mechanism operated by a convenient handle.

Axminster Trade Series pillar drill

Motor & Drive Belt System

This unit is the cornerstone of all drilling machines and consists of an induction motor at the rear, situated behind the column with the chuck directly over the table. The chuck speed can be varied by lifting up the interlocked cover, releasing the tension on the drive belt which is then re-positioned over the most appropriate pulleys. Chuck speed is very important as different materials will require different speeds for optimum drilling. The chuck is contained in a precision machined quill within the headstock. There should be virtually no play in it even when extended out to three-quarters of its travel.

Axminster Engineer Series pillar drill

The Table

The surface ground table can be raised up and down the column by means of a rack and pinion mechanism. There is also an option on many machines to tilt it, which means that the workpiece can be drilled at an angle other than 90°. Many tables, particularly in the Trade and Engineer ranges, have grooves around the edge to enable coolant to drain away. All tables have diagonal slots or grooves allowing a machining vice or additional pillar drill table to be bolted to it.

table_column

The Column

The column is a hollow cylinder of surface ground steel, ensuring that the table’s rise and fall is very smooth making the height adjustment a light task. The column should also be strong enough to maintain rigidity, therefore reducing vibration.

motor_drive_belt_system

The Base

This is a robust, heavy piece of cast iron where a flat horizontal surface has been ground. Moving the table sideways allows a taller workpiece to be drilled by standing it in on the base. The casting for the column is bolted securely onto the base at the rear and there is also the facility to bolt the drilling machine to either a bench top or floor.

Conclusion

Adding a pillar drill to your workshop is something everyone should consider. With the ability to bore perfect holes, as well as many other tasks, it's very high on the list. Before you purchase one, there are many things to consider, not only with the machine but also your own circumstances. How deep are your drilling? What material are you using? To name a few. Once you can answer these questions and therefore know the features you need, the right drill should be just around the corner.