I cannot take full credit for this, as this is an upgrade I’ve made to my old drill press table with an idea I’ve seen on Woodscrap’s workshop page.

My original table was just 3/4” birch plywood, which was too thin, and when I installed the t-tracks in it, the slot I routed left the plywood useless as there wasnt enough material left to keep it sturdy, and not enough material for the screws to hold into. The new table is 3/4” birch ply laminated with hardboard on both sides. this gives it extra thickness, also makes the surface a bit smoother, and by clearing out an insert area under the drill quill, I can make replacement inserts fairly simple since the thickness is that of the hardboard (no need to guess here).

I also (and this was an idea I got from Woodscraps’ workshop page) made a permanent 90 degree table – these makes it possible for me to drill in the edge of pieces without having to tilt the table. I’ve also made the table offset to the left – leaving me enough clearance to the table up/down crank handle (previous one was centered, and I was banging my hand repeatedly when adjusting the table)

You an also see in these pictures the Jacobs Keyless Chuck I got for the drill press when I bought it – this thing is Priceless!
-- ㊍ When in doubt - There is no doubt - Go the safer route.

















13 comments so far
lew
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8980 posts in 1923 days
#1 posted 1525 days ago
Nice Table!
Really like the vertical component and the hold down system.
Had the same knuckle buster problem with my table until I saw a post here on LJ’s on how to make a handle extender. Fixed me up.
-- Lew- Time traveler. Purveyor of the world's finest custom rolling pins!
ellen35
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2441 posts in 1600 days
#2 posted 1525 days ago
Nice touch Sharon!
-- Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good.
Mujo
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22 posts in 1541 days
#3 posted 1525 days ago
Cool !
Over head rooter. or Milling cutter.
-- Mujo , Tokyo JAPAN , http://kailasa.blog99.fc2.com/
PurpLev
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7741 posts in 1816 days
#4 posted 1524 days ago
Thanks for the comments.
lew – the hold down jig was just something I threw together for a specific project, and is kinda flimsy – but thanks for the warm words (I really should take it apart and make a better/universal one instead). I didnt think about a handle extension for the table crank handle, but I’m very satisfied with my solution, so no need to change it.
-- ㊍ When in doubt - There is no doubt - Go the safer route.
sIKE
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1268 posts in 1922 days
#5 posted 1511 days ago
Looks great Purple Lev! I have wanted a full size DP for quite a while and this doesn’t help! :)
-- //FC - Round Rock, TX - "Experience is what you get just after you need it"
PurpLev
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7741 posts in 1816 days
#6 posted 1511 days ago
sIKE- no it doesn’t ;o)
BUT – you can make a similar table for a benchtop DP as well…
I sometimes wish I had a benchtop model…lol , this one takes a lot of room, and has a lot of wasted space under the table most of the time.
-- ㊍ When in doubt - There is no doubt - Go the safer route.
Dusty56
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10510 posts in 1856 days
#7 posted 1462 days ago
I like your table design and features . I’ve seen so many different ideas as far as making one of these , but I can’t decide which way to build one of my own yet . What do you secure your stock with in the 90 degree position , just regular clamps , or do you have t-tracks out of site in the picture ?
-- When did quiet and quite become the same word ? I'm guessing about the same time as your and you're did.
a1Jim
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87068 posts in 1745 days
#8 posted 1462 days ago
Good drill press table looks like it does a good job.
-- W James Brokenbourgh Custom furniture maker http://artisticwoodstudio.com/
PurpLev
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7741 posts in 1816 days
#9 posted 1462 days ago
Dusty – thanks.
for the vertical platform of the table – I will add another T-track and the fence will eventually be mitered downwards to follow that platform to have a more stable reference guide. It was late, and I was getting lazy… so for now I do just clamp it with regular clamps and butt it against the horizontal fence – it works well, and I don’t bore vertical that often that I’m inclined to complete the missing T-track at the moment, so it’s on the back burner- but thats the general idea. if youre ever in the eastern MA area, you can drop by, I can give you a few sheets of masonite for table/jig tops/surfaces.
-- ㊍ When in doubt - There is no doubt - Go the safer route.
Dusty56
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10510 posts in 1856 days
#10 posted 1461 days ago
Thank you for the feedback . I was just out in Tewksbury and Salem,NH last weekend.(two hour drive from my place on the Pike and up 495 , etc..) I went to the Rockler store in Salem…WOW what a great store AND no MA taxes to pay !! The Danvers Rockler has closed its doors , so I would have to go to Cambridge instead , which I was warned against doing due to the traffic , etc.. Salem is less than a half hour drive to my friends’ house in Tewksbury.
Rockler had a bunch of in-store only specials last weekend , plus I had a 15% off coupon with me .Let’s just say that the trip was worthwhile : )
-- When did quiet and quite become the same word ? I'm guessing about the same time as your and you're did.
PurpLev
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7741 posts in 1816 days
#11 posted 1461 days ago
and you didn’t stop by to pick me up?!?
I like the Cambridge store- ALL the guys working there are top notch friendly and helpfull – always! period! I live 2 blocks from ‘another’ woodworking store, but if I have a choice – I’d drive into cambridge with traffic and parking just because I know I’ll get good service and advice there should I need it. but might be different for you. glad you had a good trip. def. the NH no taxes is a nice cherry on top.
-- ㊍ When in doubt - There is no doubt - Go the safer route.
moonls
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375 posts in 1154 days
#12 posted 995 days ago
I think I have the same model drill press so I’m saving your great table plan to try ASAP! Thanks.
-- Lorna, Cape Cod
jaredw
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1 post in 646 days
#13 posted 565 days ago
I just got the same Drill Press from my Grandpa!!!!
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