| Project by sry | posted 164 days ago | 684 views | 6 times favorited | 7 comments |  |
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I got a 12” ryobi drill press for christmas, and after several months of having it taking up valuable workbench real estate, I decided to build a cart to get it off the bench and make it mobile. I also decided (or my wife decided?) that my compressor is way too loud, so this cart needed to contain a space to enclose the compressor.
Construction is mostly out of 3/4” birch ply from HD with some 1/2” in the drawers. It took me a while to find a good sheet (no filler on the faces, no visible voids, intact edges, etc) but I was glad I took the time because it was actually really nice to work with. Finish is 2 coats of wipe-on poly. This was the first time I’ve ever made and installed drawers (all grooves and dados cut on the router table), and I think they turned out pretty well, if you ignore that the applied fronts are a little out of square with the drawer boxes.
The top is the same doubled up MDF with poplar edge that I used for my workbench. It’s finished with a few (2) coats of wipe-on poly and a coat of Minwax wax.
I made the top at the same height as my workbench so in a pinch I could use it for more support (after unbolting the drill press of course). This puts the drill press probably a little above a normal height, but I can still use it comfortably.
And the bottom cabinet does its job wonderfully, reducing the compressor noise from an “I can’t hear myself think” level to a background hum about on par with the dehumidifier.
All comments and critiques are welcome
-- Steve -- University Heights, Ohio
7 comments so far
Jeff
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65 posts in 191 days
posted 164 days ago
I built a similar stand for my drill press, not including the space for a compressor. I think you’ll find that the taller height works well. It’s a lot nicer to have the workpiece closer to chest height for ease of sight and so on. It keeps you from bending over to get a good look at what you’re doing. You could even drill a hole in the side to put the hose through, so you don’t have to open the door. Great job.
-- - In the end, everything will be okay. If it isn't okay, it isn't the end yet.
Kjuly
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84 posts in 179 days
posted 164 days ago
Steve,
What a great idea!!
My drill bits are scattered all over the shop and I spent more time looking for the right bit than it takes to drill a few holes.
Keith
-- Keith, Charlotte, MI www.julyswoodworks.com www.TheBenchDawg.com
Cory
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196 posts in 313 days
posted 164 days ago
EXCELLENT idea, Steve. You don’t mind if I steal it, do you? As soon as I buy myself a benchtop drill press for my birthday, this is the first thing I’m going to build.
Nice work.
-- Premium firewood created daily.
tooldad
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454 posts in 608 days
posted 163 days ago
depending on how much your compressor runs, keep an eye on the heat it produces in the cabinet. You could always add a section of pegboard or just simply get a cold air return vent from HD to let air in if it’s a problem. not sure if it will, but just something to be on the lookout for. I have a similar cabinet, not on wheels, and I love it. However mine is simple mdf, I am slowly upgrading the “look” of my shop and that is one that needs to be updated. Nice job.
sry
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137 posts in 501 days
posted 163 days ago
Thanks everyone for the kind words.
Cory, if you’re looking for an affordable benchtop drill press, I’ve been very happy with the 12” Ryobi shown in the pictures. I’ve had it since December 2008 and it’s done a great job with everything I’ve tried to do. Perhaps I should post a review one of these days. I added on a Rockler table which is much more useful than the stock metal table.
Tooldad, good point about the heat. I’ll have to keep an eye on it, maybe add a vent in the back if necessary. I don’t tend to run my compressor too hard, but you never know.
-- Steve -- University Heights, Ohio
flcopper169
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172 posts in 233 days
posted 163 days ago
Well done… I love the multi-function…
Rob
-- Happy and safe woodworking, Flcopper169@aol.com
Dusty56
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3458 posts in 581 days
posted 163 days ago
Very nice…my small DP is also at chest height and it is so nice with my present eyesight : ) I was going to ask if you made the DP table , but you’ve already answered ….it looks great along with your cabinet.
-- You know you're getting old when you know the difference between you're (you are) and your (belonging to you) AND how to use them in a sentence .