I’ve been needing a Drill Press Table for quite a while and finally got one built. This is not one of those huge “do everything” tables. It’s 14” deep by 22” wide – mostly made from scrap – which is the reason for the size. I selected/included features that support my methods of work and 90% of the project types I do.
Nothing fancy here, just a couple (2) layers of 3/4” plywood screwed together. I had to clip the tips of the 1-1/2” screws so they wouldn’t poke through.
The table is held to the cast iron table with 5/16” carriage bolts countersunk in to the bottom piece with wing nuts to hold it down.
The table itself has two Rockler T-Tracks dropped into dados made on my table saw using Freud Super Dado set. That Dado Set is really GREAT!! The fit was precise and installation easy.
The edge is trimmed with a few strips of poplar leftover from a library project and have bee sitting around for a long time. The edge does cover the T-Track but the back is open so the T-Bolts can be removed.
The fence is again scrap plywood and poplar. The T-Bolts are actually 1/4-20 hex bolt from the junk drawer and I started with wingnuts but swapped over to 1” knobs I picked up in Atlanta at Peachtree woodworking for $1 each. One if the bolts is capture in a 5/16” hole and the other is in a 5/16” x 2-1/2” slot.
A lot of the DP Table fences I’ve seen have a cut out for the chuck. I decided to just allow the fence to be flipped around to accommodate close-in short, small work.
I wanted a place to set my coffee so on the left side I extended the bottom piece of plywood to create a cup holder/shelf.
Because the table is not really big enough to accommodate a couple of those super cool drawers that some have I decided to put in a swing out box for taps, drills, and miscellaneous stuff.
The box is 5” x 6” x 2-1/2” deep with a small tray a about 1/2” deep
The table size and position allow clearance for both the column release handle
and table elevation crank.
Oh it does have a 3” Square replaceable center and before I set it in place I waxed the cast iron.
Overall I’m really happy with t utility of the table and the features and how it supports my methods of work.
Happy Woodworking in 2020!
-- Bill - Rochester MI
6 comments so far
BurlyBob
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7085 posts in 2906 days
#1 posted 01-18-2020 04:45 PM
Nice job there. A drill press table is the first project on my to do list after I finish restoring my hand planes. It’s been long over due.
Dave Polaschek
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4599 posts in 1223 days
#2 posted 01-18-2020 06:44 PM
Nice table, Bill. It’s functional, which makes it pretty. ;-)
-- Dave - Santa Fe
LittleBlackDuck
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#3 posted 01-18-2020 10:25 PM
Thanks for the extra pics B’B’...
-- If your first cut is too short... Take the second cut from the longer end... LBD
DrTebi
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364 posts in 3907 days
#4 posted 01-19-2020 08:19 PM
Nice drill press table. The table I built is similar in many ways. Blocking the t-tracks with the edging is something I wouldn’t have done though. Quite often I drill into large panels, for which I need to remove the clamps… now you will have to remove the fence, then the clamps, then put the fence back on every time… in my opinion, you should open up the edges in the front for easier removal of the clamps.
Another thing I added to my table is a t-slot in the fence face. I routed the track, but one could also install t-track just like your blue ones. It will allow you to quickly insert a stop, which can be as simple as a wooden block with a hole, through which you put a t-track screw and knob. Now, with the fence and stop set up, you can make repetitive holes without measuring or marking.
Just a couple of ideas :)
HokieKen
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12323 posts in 1779 days
#5 posted 01-20-2020 06:23 PM
I agree with DrTebi about the T-track for the hold-downs Bill. I put mine on and off really often. They get in the way when I don’t need them but when I need em, I need em :-) But you can always remedy that easily enough if you decide you need to. I also agree with him about stop blocks on the fence. I use them quite often and having a strip of T-track in the fence is handy. But, you can always just clamp a block to the fence or the table.
I bet your coffee gets kinda nasty sitting right there! Nice build bud. I can almost guarantee you’re gonna wonder how you lived without it ;-)
-- Kenny, SW VA, Go Hokies!!!
Bill Berklich
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1014 posts in 1029 days
#6 posted 01-21-2020 10:47 AM
Only if I’m sanding :-)
-- Bill - Rochester MI
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