Bench Pillar Drill recommendations

[razor11]

I fancy a bench-mounted pillar drill for general purpose metal and wood drilling.

Anyone got one and offer any advice or recommendations? (I do not want a mortice chuck).

From what I see, in terms of brand, it seems to be a Sealey versus Clarke discussion. Visually, I see little difference.

Grateful for any advice on choosing and recommendations on brand/model.

Thanks

[V10Mike]

If you don't need one in a hurry, wait for a single phase Meddings to come up on Ebay, like this:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MEDDINGS-DRILL-DRILTRU-PILLA...

They are bulletproof. Modern Chinese drills tend to all have wobbly bearings, which is useless if you're looking for any precision.

Here's mine (and no, it's not attached to the lathe!):

Edited by V10Mike on Wednesday 27th October 09:55

[zcacogp]

I bought one from Aldi a while ago. Mainly because it was only £25, but I think it was made by Wolf Tools (Aldi home-brand tools usually are.)

I have since been very surprised at how useful it has been. I can certainly recommend one, but can't comment on the various brands and models. I do know that the pillar on the one I have is the same diameter as scaffold pole, so it was very easy to make a longer pillar.


Oli.

[Tanguero]

I have a Clarke and am not terribly impressed. As above the bearing are wobbly which means it can be less than accurate and the drill bit has a tendency to wander slightly. Its not terribly robust and has a flimsy feel to it. The depth stop is a pain to set and mounted on a weedy plastic bracket.

I will be looking for something better but second hand when I come to replace it.

[Simpo Two]

I bought a Ferm from Screwfix. The only issue is, as has been stated, the wobbly chuck. It doesn't wobble noticeably with wood, but try metal or anything curved and it skates badly, useless for anything accurate. Given that a good drill with light use wil probably last a lifetime, I'd spend much more if there's a next time and get more precision.

[Simpo Two]

V10Mike said:

If you don't need one in a hurry, wait for a single phase Meddings to come up on Ebay, like this:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MEDDINGS-DRILL-DRILTRU-PILLA...

'approximately 3' high and weighs approximately 150 lbs.'

That is effing heavy!

[thinfourth2]

Simpo Two said:

V10Mike said:

If you don't need one in a hurry, wait for a single phase Meddings to come up on Ebay, like this:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MEDDINGS-DRILL-DRILTRU-PILLA...

'approximately 3' high and weighs approximately 150 lbs.'

That is effing heavy!

As it should be

Another vote for an ancient overbuilt british machine

I have a chinese milling machine and its utter pap when compared to old similar sized british machines

Buy well with a decent machine and it will something you hand down to your kids

[V10Mike]

Simpo Two said:

'approximately 3' high and weighs approximately 150 lbs.'

That is effing heavy!

It certainly is! That's why they work so well!

However they do come apart, and I managed to get mine in the boot of a car, even though it's got a full length floor pillar.

[mgtony]

Take a look at Axminster Power Tools range;

http://www.axminster.co.uk/page/find/?name=pillar%...

Better quality than cheapo Aldi ones. The main problem with the basic models is the chuck distance from the pillar which can be only about 100mm which will limit what you're trying to drill.
Go for the biggest one you can afford, I went for a floor standing one which wasn't much more than the equilevent bench mounted one.

[Gaspode]

mgtony said:

Go for the biggest one you can afford, I went for a floor standing one which wasn't much more than the equilevent bench mounted one.

Good advice, if you have room for a floor-standing one, then go for it. The bigger and heavier, the better - accuracy is a function of rigidity.

[The Black Flash]

thinfourth2 said:

Simpo Two said:

V10Mike said:

If you don't need one in a hurry, wait for a single phase Meddings to come up on Ebay, like this:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MEDDINGS-DRILL-DRILTRU-PILLA...

'approximately 3' high and weighs approximately 150 lbs.'

That is effing heavy!

As it should be

Another vote for an ancient overbuilt british machine

I have a chinese milling machine and its utter pap when compared to old similar sized british machines

Buy well with a decent machine and it will something you hand down to your kids

Plus, old machinery is cool. You've got history, loads of arcane levers, oil pots, brass plates, and unprotected gubbins. Bliss

[razor11]

Thanks, excellent advice all-round, both in terms of what to get, what to look out for and what not to get.

Now of course, if I go down that route, perhaps a Mill-Drill would be fun......

Cheers