Making the Drill Press. Is It Worth It?! [Build + Tests]

In this instructable / video I will be making my designed homemade drill press with the model 775 motor. It's speed will be controlled with the 10A PWM speed controller. Also I will provide key tests for you to decide if it is worth time and effort to make a tool like this.

FINAL DIMENSIONS - http://bit.ly/DIY_Drill_Press_Dimensions

Provided Amazon links are affiliates

Main Tools You'll Need:

• Drill https://amzn.to/2U5QQmL
• Jigsaw https://amzn.to/2rg4uXx
• Clamps https://amzn.to/2E8EBkQ
• Speed square https://amzn.to/2Ee6lDh
• Soldering kit: https://amzn.to/2Q613Bf

Main Materials You'll Need:

• Plywood 12mm (1/2) thickness https://amzn.to/2YY8hHG
• Plywood 18mm (3/4) thickness for the base https://amzn.to/2W4guYM
• Drawer sliders 30cm (12inch) https://amzn.to/2YV7Cqg
• Tension springs https://amzn.to/2KgVeNt
• Model 775 DC Motor https://amzn.to/2Inbha3 or model 895 DC Motor https://amzn.to/2Z2LOJI (needs 12-24V 10A PSU)
• Chuck 0.6-6mm https://amzn.to/2QCkmzk
• Bracket for 775 motor https://amzn.to/2ELXf0n or for 895 motor https://amzn.to/2ELXf0n
• 10A speed controller for 775 motor https://amzn.to/2QEokaO
• 20A speed controller for 895 motor https://amzn.to/2JQQRsQ
• Closed 24V 5A power supply for 775 motor https://amzn.to/2WhtNtS
• Open 24V 10A power supply for 895 motor https://amzn.to/2I4eQkY

Other Things You'll Need:

• Screws, bolts, washers, self-locking nuts, wood glue, wires.

Video Shot with:

• Canon SL2/200D https://amzn.to/2H254k6

Used Lenses:

• 24mm f/2.8 STM https://amzn.to/2vy1HuJ
• 50mm f/1.8 STM https://amzn.to/2DEMegL

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Some preview shots of the drill press.

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I always design my projects first as 3D model. This way it is much easier to achieve the desired project compared to making it on the go. First I cut all main parts. Here are all dimensions if you want - http://bit.ly/DIY_Drill_Press_Dimensions

To move drill up and down, I used a pair of heavy duty drawer sliders. They are perfect choice for this action.

My moving drill part is shorter than the length of the sliders, so I just cut the ends to get a better look by not sticking out.

First I glued few pieces to get bigger surface area that will be connected to the base.

To easily secure the slider to the inside sliding part, first I glued both parts with double side tape and then secured it with pan head screws. With same method, I secured other side of the slider to the previously glued part.

Then both made "towers" can be glued to the base.

As gluing is to just easily secure both parts at correct angle, later I additionally secured those "towers" with big long screws. On the top of them I glued small piece which will give rigidity, will act as a stop-block for a max height and will hold the tension spring. So it also must be secured with two screws.

I stacked 4 plywood pieces on top of the sliding base part. When glue completely dried up, I clamped that part to the inside sliding parts and secured them with four screws.

For this project I used model 775 motor, L shape holder and drill chuck with adapter to the motor. To get perfect 90-degree angle it is just a trial and error alignment process.

At this point motor just stays down on the base. Simplest way to lift it up is to use tension springs. It is important to secure the spring with bolts, washers and self locking nuts and not with wood screws.

To lower the drill I am making a basic lever system.

All pieces can be secured not too tightly with M6 bolts, washers and self locking nuts.

To get the best possible drilling results and satisfaction when using it, lever should be from both sides.

With levers in place, I first glued small piece that connects them and then additionally secured with screws.

To control motor's speed I used a common 10 PWM speed controller.

To power the motor, I used open style 36V 5A power supply.

From what I tested, with a max 6mm HSS wood dill bit, you can power this motor easily with 24V 5A power supply. 36V is kinda overkill, but I just had that PSU lying around, so I used it. But don't use 12V power supply, with it motor just stalls when drilling harder wood like plywood.

36V from the power supply wires goes to the speed controller's connections where POWER + and - are written.

Wires from the motor goes to the speed controller's connections where MOTOR + and - are written, it is a very basic circuit.

To slightly lift up the drill, that it wouldn't drill into things that it is on, I made very basic stand. It screws to the main base. And this is pretty much it.

Here are some test results. All tests you can see in my provided video in the beginning.

This drill press is inexpensive to make and drills really clean perpendicular max 6mm holes. For bigger holes this model 775 motor just doesn't have enough torque. You can apply more voltage to get higher torque, but then it spins way too fast, which is a safety concern.

You can use something like the model 895 motor (24V 6000RPM, low speed version), which has almost twice the
torque, but it won’t be any close what even a cheapest drill presses can do.

In conclusion, if you need a tool for small perpendicular holes in wooden materials, DIY drill press like this, works pretty well. It makes fast, clean holes and doesn’t cost much. On the other hand, if you expecting for a DIY drill press like this, to make bigger holes, I am sorry, but it isn’t the tool for the job. You are better with buying even a cheapest drill press from a store.

I hope this instructable / video was useful and informative.
If you liked it, you can support me by liking this Instructable / YouTube video and subscribing for more future content. Feel free to leave any questions about this build. Thank you, for reading / watching! Till next time! :)

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