The parts of a drill press include the head, spindle, drill bit, base, drill chuck, etc. Each part of a drill press performs a specific function. Therefore, it is important to know the details and functions of a drill press to operate it properly.
Drill presses are essential tools used to drill into all kinds of materials, i.e., woods and metals.
Knowing what the parts of a drill press are used for will help you get the best use of the machine. This article will discuss in detail the parts and functions of a drill press.
What are drill presses used for
Drill presses are used to drill holes in woods, metals, or other materials. They bore holes in materials with precision. They are versatile and accurate machines.
Drill presses can also be used to enlarge holes. In addition, a drill press allows thicker and denser materials to be cut through faster than when using a handheld drill.
They are also used to drill holes at precise angles. They drill holes of identical size and depth.
Additionally, drill presses can also be used to produce threads in a hole. To do this, a special tapping attachment is added to the drill.
Main Parts of a drill press
There are many parts of a drill press. Here we will explain all of it in detail, also with the help of a drill press diagram. In addition, the different parts of a drill press are also labeled.
• Drill Chuck
The drill chuck is attached to the bottom of the spindle. The main function of the drill chuck is to hold drill bits in place.
It has a set of clamps that can be opened and closed to insert and remove drill bits.
• Motors
The drill press motor is under the head. And it powers the spindle, chuck, and drill bit.
The size of the motor depends on the size of the drill press. The motor also has different speed levels, which allow the operator to set a suitable drill speed. The average rotation per minute of a drill machine is 3000 RPM.
• Drive Belt & Pulley
This particular belt is connected to both the motor and the spindle. This belt allows power and motion to be transmitted from the engine to the spindle.
The spindle rotates as the drive belt rotates. This rotation allows the drill bits to turn, and the spindle penetrates the work material.
• Base
The base is another important part of the drill press, and it is at the bottom. The base of a drill press is usually made with heavy materials, i.e., iron or steel, to ensure the stability of the drilling machine.
This base can also be screwed to a large surface so the drill press does not shift or move when working.
• Column (Pillar)
The column is the pillar of a drill press. It holds and connects the head, base, and table together. This allows you to move the lead on the column as you change the positions of the materials.
• Feed Lever (Hand Wheel)
The primary function of the lever is to move the drill chuck and spindle down to drill materials and then move them up when the drilling is complete. It is a handheld lever.
Depending on the design of the drill press, the lever can have only one arm or sometimes three to aid easy rotation.
• Spindle
The spindle is the most crucial part of a drill press. It is fixed at the bottom of the head, and it spins in circles to be able to drill holes.
• Sleeve (or Quill)
The sleeve holds taper shank drills where the taper size equals the spindle.
• Table
The drill press table is where the material being drilled is laid. It is made of iron cast or other strong materials. It is a flat plate and sits in the middle of the drill press.
• Table locking clamp
The table locking clamp is used to keep workpieces in place during drilling. It is designed to hold the work material firmly between its jaws. As a result, it will be completely still when the drill bit penetrates the material’s surface.
• Head
The head of a drill press is like the brain; it controls the other components of the drill press. Therefore, it is the first part of the drill machine you should be familiar with.
It is the top piece, and depending on the design and manufacturer, it may be metal or plastic.
• Depth scale
The depth scale of a drill press makes it easy to set or measure the drilling depth of a drill press. You can also set the depth stop of your depth scale if you want the same size for all the drilling materials.
• Flexible lamp
The flexible lamp is also added to some of the drill presses to aid in working at night. It is bright and lets you see what you are doing. It is best to get a magnetic lamp if the drill press does not come with a light.
• Belt cover
A belt cover is also referred to as a belt guard. It is a safety device that protects the hands and clothes from getting caught by the drill press belt drive.
The belt covers are usually required in every drill press by law.
• On/Off switch
The on and off switch provides power to the drill press. It is a safety precaution added to the drill press motor.
Why does the Identification of Drill Press Parts Matter?
It is essential to know the parts of a drill press to understand how to use it. Being familiar with the details of a drill press will help you know what you are doing. If you do not get your desired result, you will learn something has broken in the drill press.
You will be tuned to the sound and working mechanism of each part of the drill press. You will also be quick to know if something has malfunctioned and if it can be repaired or replaced.
How to use a drill press step by step?
The steps to follow when using a drill press are as follows
- You should first clean and clear the table top you want to put the drill press on.
- You should also put a piece of wood on the table before mounting your drill press. This setup will prevent you from drilling into the table.
- The next thing to do is to clamp the drill press to the table. Clamping will prevent the drill press from moving when drilling is going on.
- Before drilling, set your drilling angle, depth, and speed.
- When you start drilling, pull the quill handle until the drill bits touch the work material. You can apply more pressure as needed.
- If you are drilling holes into deep, wooden materials, you should remove the drill bits at intervals to clear the sawdust that might clog the hole.
- After drilling, you should make sure to turn off the drill press. You can remove the drill bits and clamps and return the drill press to safety.
Craig Ruegsegger from WOOD Magazine explains this process in depth in the following video. Have a look.
Drill Press Safety & Maintenance
Using a drill press is easy, but there are necessary safety precautions to follow before you should use a drill press.
You should always make sure you wear glasses when using a drill press to prevent wood and metal bits from entering your eyes. You should also pack your hair if you have long hair and avoid wearing necklaces.
You should also make sure that you turn off the drill press before adjusting the speed or angle. Also, ensure the drill press has an emergency stop button (e-stop) to avoid accidents.
To maintain a drill press, always ensure the drill is well lubricated. Do not also for the drill with extra pressure.
Also, do not leave the drill press running and unattended.
The fundamental difference between drill press and drill
It is important to know the basic differences between a drill press and a hand drill. This way, you will be able to identify the best one for your work. These two tools are different based on
1. Size
A hand drill is smaller in size when compared to a drill press. However, unlike a drill press, it is portable and can be moved around.
2. Working mechanism
A hand drill has a manual mechanism, and it’s controlled by hand. On the other hand, a drill press is controlled by an automatic motor.
3. Accuracy
A drill press is more accurate than a hand drill. This is because it has a clamp that holds the workpieces in place when drilling. As a result, it drills equal and precise holes.
4. Speed
The operator controls the speed of a hand drill, while an automatic motor controls a drill press speed. The motor has different speed levels and can be set to suit any drilling.
5. Price
The drill press is more expensive to buy and maintain than a hand drill.
Types of drill bits for drill press
There are almost 22 types of drill bits, and they vary according to their shape and size. But the most common types of drill bits are Flat, Twist, Center bits, and Multi-diameter.
1. Flat drill bit
Flat drill bits are made of high carbon steel, mainly used to drill wood and soft metal.
2. Twist drill bit
Twist drill bits are the most commonly used because they have up to 4 cutting lips.
3. Center drill bit
It is used to drill conical shapes on the edges of wood or metal.
4. Multi-diameter drill bit
It is used to drill taper and straight shank.
Frequently Asked Questions on Drill Press
What component of a drill press moves the spindle and tool up and down?
The motor of the drill press moves the spindle up and down.
What holds the chuck on a drill press?
The drill chuck is held to a drill press using a removable drill chuck arbor.
What is the main difference between a drill press and a milling machine?
A drill press is used to cut through wood and metals, while a drilling machine is used to cut through metal.
What is the name of the tool used to remove the drill chuck from the spindle of the drill press?
A chuck key is used to remove the drill chuck from the spindle.
Conclusion
A drill press is a powerful tool used for drilling holes. It is the preferred choice for woodworkers who need speed and accuracy in drilling holes.
A drill press is more accurate and can be adjusted to drill holes at angles. It is also equipped with different sizes and shapes of drill bits to drill equal holes in wood or metal.
Drill presses are more expensive than hand drills, but they are worth every penny spent on them.