A drill press is a drill head mounted on a rigid column supported by a base, which may
be fixed to the bench (it is referred to as a bench drill ) or placed on the ground (column
drill press). It is equipped with a table, which may be tilting, and allows the workpiece
to be restrained. A capstan (lever ) allows the bit to descend without effort towards the
table to ensure the drilling of a perpendicular hole. It allows mass drilling tasks to be
carried out with great accuracy. Thanks to an integral depth guide, it can create blind
holes (i.e. without totally piercing the part). It is a machine designed to work metal but
other materials as well ( plastic, wood; etc..) with the correct tools.
• Equipped with a keyless or keyed drill chuck, they can also, according to the various models, take directly in their drift,
bits where the upper edge ends in a Morse taper therefore not requiring a chuck.
In general:
- Morse taper of 1 for bits from ø 5 to 14 mm
- Morse cone 2 for bits of ø 14.25 to 23 mm
- Morse cone 3 for bits from ø 23.25 to 31.75 mm
- Morse cone 4 for bits of ø 32 to 50 mm
• There are drill presses equipped with radial drilling heads in order to increase the size of the swan-neck (i.e. the column-bit
distance ).
• Rotation speed is adjustable in order to adapt to the diameters of the bit and material to be drilled.
In practice, at the time of drilling, the chip must emerge in a continuous manner.
• Adapt the rotation speed of the chuck to the diameter of the drill:
- Small diameter = high speed
- Large diameter = low speed
• The choice of speed is made by conbining the position of the belts on stepped pulleys. Some machines are equipped with
mechanical or electric speed controls providing convenience of use by reducing handling.
• The part must be properly secured, either held in place on the table or in a vice. What is more, the drill chuck protection panel
must be in place.
• Table height setting may be carried out by direct grip on the column or by rack.
• The digital display, if your machine has one, show the preselected settings (for example, rotation speed)
• The lighting function, if your machine has one, makes it more comfortable to work with in dark
environments.
• The laser, if your machine has one, makes it possible to project a beam materializing the passage
of the tool.
• There are continuous cooling systems in order to avoid heating the bit.
• The use of suitable accessories in good condition will ensure the machine operates optimally
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