Drill Press Table – Viewer Built
Building a drill press table
for woodworking is an excellent idea. It is a great way to transform a metal drill press into a safe and reliable power tool for the workshop. Simply put, a woodworker will create more drill press projects when the drill press
is properly setup with a drill press table and fence.
“The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts.”
Marcus Aurelius … 121 – 180 AD, Roman Emperor and Philosopher
Bob Melrose, a woodworker and follower of the blog decided to build a drill press table for his woodworking shop after watching the how to woodworking video, Let’s Build a Drill Press Table. Bob did an excellent job. You will notice that Bob’s drill press table has two installed T – tracks for hold down
fixtures and jigs. Plus, there is also an adjustable fence for maximum hold down and stop block applications. Bob’s drill press table also includes a removable insert for when a sanding drum
is employed. The extended drill press table definitely allows for a maximized work space and it also enhances woodworking safety.
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Bob, I built a drill press table modeled after the one you made. It has a few differences to fit my needs but the general design is the same. I used 1-⅛” melamine for the table and fence. The fence is just a single piece of 1-⅛ melamine with an Incra track
dadoed in extending the entire length. I used cam action clamps
to secure the fence. I wanted more travel towards the back and the single fence gives me about 1” more rearward travel. I used the cam clamps because knobs would extend past the fence face and possibly interfere with locating stock against the fence.
For the waste block, I routed out the recess square and made it offset from center. By doing so, I could rotate the waste blocks to get more uses out of it. I also mounted a small piece of t-track to the back of the fence for storing the stop blocks when not in use. When I need close access to the fence for working on small pieces, I use a clamp saw guide for the fence. That gives me the necessary clearance.
I enjoy your videos and have learned lots. I also made a crosscut sled and a miter sled for my table saw based off of your woodworking videos. My next projects will be the band saw sleds for making wood inlay banding. I really enjoyed those videos. Thanks again
Bob Melrose EMT-P
LumberJocks: Bobmedic
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Whether you decide to build a drill press table or buy one, it’s a good idea. You will work with a greater sense of confidence which makes your woodworking experience much more enjoyable. Keep in mind, building your own drill press table and fence is a great woodworking project for a beginning woodworker as well as for the experienced craftsman. Enjoy the process.
The Apprentice and The Journeyman University