Pillar Drill Recommendations (UK)

[cliffp]

I am in the market for a small bench pillar drill for woodworking. I have looked at old threads but not really found a solution. I would prefer something less than 70cm tall (ideally), not too heavy (less than 30 kgs or thereabouts) so it can be lifted onto a workbench when needed. I would prefer something of decent quality and don't mind paying up to £300. Any suggestions?

 

[jonny round boy]

For that money I don't think you could go wrong with Axminster.

 

[Stone Message]

For that money I don't think you could go wrong with Axminster.

I agree. I bought one years ago and am perfectly happy with it and I have seen their new ones and they are even better.

Peter

 

[jonny round boy]

Hmmm, just been looking at the Axminster offerings. The only one that meets your size/weight requirements is this one from their 'hobby' range, at £140. My bandsaw is one of their 'hobby' machines, bit I've no complaints about the build quality.

The more industrial 'trade' machines are bigger & heavier, like this one at 1050mm high & 58kg.

Personally I'd go with the hobby machine & put the other £160 towards something green...

 

[cliffp]

Thanks for the suggestions! I think I'll go for a 'hobby' range (probably the £140 one). I've already put a lot of money into something grey and red (a Hammer A3-26 which arrives on Friday!)

 

[Roseland]

I don't think you'll be disappointed.  Two years ago I got an Axminster WD16SB drill for £149 (it was on an offer) and it's been brilliant.

One point to note - the chuck guard is shipped inside the top cover, with the pulleys.  I'd recommend you remove it before turning the drill on... [embarassed]

Andrew

 

[cliffp]

The WD16SB doesn't seem to be available anymore but the nearest equivalent seems to cost around £370 so £149 is a bargain.

 

[mac sparrow]

Hi Cliff,

I was in the same position as yourself last year.  I happened to grab the only eBay bargain I've ever had, a MINT unused Record DMD24A.  I had to collect it, which wasn't 5 minutes away, but it didn't have a mark on it, very lucky indeed.  It's rock solid.  I carried out lots of research, accessing "machinists" forums as well as woodwork forums.  What I noticed was that many people were slating the new kit (cheap, poor build quality, made in China etc) and in fact they would recommend other forum members to buy an older, used pillar drill (solid, built to last, accurate, made in UK, US, Germany etc)

I'm quite sure the new stuff is actually pretty good, only using lighter weight materials and being manufactured in the far east, as long as it suits your needs, and budget, then go for it.

Having said that, I was lucky in that I found the Record, what swayed me to buy an older model was I already had a Record bench vice, rock solid, lovely colour, made in England (originally) and it was given to me.  I ended up being a girl and let the colour decide my purchase , I like my things to match.  It helped that it was made in the UK; Sheffield if I remember.

Good luck
P.S. the quality of cut with a Zobo bit in a pillar drill is superb.

 

[Lbob131]

Thanks for the suggestions! I think I'll go for a 'hobby' range (probably the £140 one). I've already put a lot of money into something grey and red (a Hammer A3-26 which arrives on Friday!)

Have you got  your  A3-26  operating yet?  What do you think  of the quality?

 

[cliffp]

Thanks for the recommendation of the DMD24A Mac sparrow. I researched and it does look good. I'll keep my eye open for one.

Regarding the A3-26, it arrives tomorrow - I'll give an update when I've tried it out.

 

[shed9]

I have some Axminster and Hammer kit in the shop and whilst Axminster is clearly not the same quality, for the price you can't really go wrong with it. Also to note is that in most low end pillar drills the difference between bench and floor standing is mostly just the column length as they usually (not always) share the base - my point is that if you come across a good deal on a floor standing model you can modify to bench top if preferred.

Just for reference, Hammer sell a range of pillar drills;

http://www.felder-tooling.co.uk/8head-009010/8head-16820

No bench top models and they clearly aren't Hammer kit, but they are in the price range and they must have something going for them to be shipped by Hammer.

The Jet drills often get good reviews (although the bench top is a little over the budget it does comes with some accessories);

http://www.poolewood.co.uk/acatalog/Drill_Machine_Jet_JDP-10-_13-_15_-_17M.html

The Record drills can be had from the same site;

http://www.poolewood.co.uk/acatalog/Record_Drill_Presses.html

 

[cliffp]

Thanks Shed9. I've read some less than complementary posts about Hammer drills and if they are not made by Felder it is probably something of a lottery.

I've also read mixed reviews of Jet drills, particularly their smaller models such as the JDP-8.

Even the Axi models get mixed reviews on Axminster's website.

The Record drills in the link don't seem to have many reviews either.

I'll keep checking Ebay for good deals and continue to ponder my requirements (mostly where I can store it efficiently)

 

[shed9]

Thanks Shed9. I've read some less than complementary posts about Hammer drills and if they are not made by Felder it is probably something of a lottery.

I suspect you may be right on this, especially in light of your recent experience.

I've also read mixed reviews of Jet drills, particularly their smaller models such as the JDP-8.

Even the Axi models get mixed reviews on Axminster's website.

The Record drills in the link don't seem to have many reviews either.

I'll keep checking Ebay for good deals and continue to ponder my requirements (mostly where I can store it efficiently)

To be honest you are not going to find a 100% positive feedback on any drill no matter the price bracket. I agree if you are in no hurry, just bide your time and wait for a good deal to come along.

 

[GarryMartin]

I'll keep checking Ebay for good deals and continue to ponder my requirements (mostly where I can store it efficiently)

I refurbished a Fobco Star I got off eBay. Lovely little drill but hardly lightweight; very solidly built and thoroughly recommended. By the time I'd bought it, dismantled it, had it shot-blasted and powder-coated (in Festool grey  [big grin]), bought a new v-belt, some grease and some other odds and ends, it probably cost about £220 not including my time.

But it's a 40+ year old drill that will probably live on for another 40+ years too.

I've been considering how I integrate it into the workshop for some time and still haven't decided where it should live, and whether it should be permanently available for use or on some sort of flip-top tool station. It's on the floor with a bunch of stuff in front of it at the moment otherwise I would have posted a photo. Maybe I'll come back to this post some time in the future...  [wink]

For now, pre-refurbishment, it looked like this;

[attachimg=1]

Until I started to take it to pieces...

[attachimg=2]

[attachimg=3]

 

[cliffp]

Garry that is a beautiful looking design. It would be nice to see the finished article!

 

[GarryMartin]

Garry that is a beautiful looking design. It would be nice to see the finished article!

OK, just for you Cliff, I've moved the rubbish and lifted the 67KG (148lbs) monster on to a bench and took a couple of photos. Not the best light so had to modify the images a little, but nevertheless, enjoy...  [big grin]

[attachimg=1]

[attachimg=2]

 

[cliffp]

That Fobco looks so nice I think you could justify keeping it in the house as a piece of art! I think the £220 was well spent.

 

[Lbob131]

The  Scheppach  radial  arm  bench drills  might be worth a look.

 

[cliffp]

I initially bought an Axminster AH1302DP (cheapest "hobby" drill). I wasn't happy with the play in the quill so exchanged it for an AT2001DP (cheapest "Trade" drill). There is no noticeable play in the quill of this machine so I think I will keep it. The build quality isn't great and it is noisy but it seems to be perfectly adequate for woodworking.

 

[Lbob131]

Wish I had a drill like that Fobco  in my workshop.