| Project by Lenny | posted 322 days ago | 2186 views | 28 times favorited | 23 comments |  |
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This drill press table is fashioned after one made by fellow LJ pintodeluxe. I made a favorite of his with the intention of making it one day. Back in November, I got a great buy on a new Ridgid 15” drill press via Craigslist. This replaced my 13” Craftsman drill press that served me so well for many years. As pintodeluxe pointed out on his project post, the basic plans for this came from Woodsmith magazine. Rather than MDF laminations, I made the table top from ¾” melamine I had lying around. I surrounded the melamine with ash using biscuits and glue. The carcass of the unit is made from ½” Baltic birch ply. The bottom is bolted to the metal table via carriage bolts, large washers and wing nuts. It does not interfere with the crank used to raise/lower the table. I liked the idea of the dust collection compartment and the removable inserts so I incorporated them into mine. I don’t use my drill press too often compared to other shop tools. For that reason I did not bother with a blast gate and dedicated dust collection hose. I just cut the hole at the back to fit a standard 4” hose connector and will grab a hose from another tool when needed. I bought 24” T-track, star knobs and hold-downs when they were on sale at Rockler and I had a 36” length of gold T-track from Woodcraft purchased long ago.
I’ve read that drill presses are made with machinists in mind, thus, the small metal table. This table provides a 31-1/2” wide by 17” deep surface. Some of that depth is lost with the fence in place but it can be removed if necessary. In place, the fence provides a point of reference and with a stop block, you can drill repetitive holes. The drawer is only 6” wide but is 27” long and 3” deep. It will be handy for holding bits, replacement inserts, the chuck key, etc. The area of my shop where the drill press sits is a bit congested. I know if I applied a surface knob or handle to the drawer, I would surely be bumping into it. So, I routed a finger pull underneath the center of the drawer face. I finished the project with a few coats of Minwax waterbased polyurethane. My thanks to pintodeluxe for the inspiration.
-- On the eighth day God was back in His woodworking shop! Lenny, East Providence, RI
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23 comments so far
Dick, & Barb Cain
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8681 posts in 2472 days
#1 posted 322 days ago
Hi Lenny!
A great looking table, I like it very much.
-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1
Dusty56
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10557 posts in 1860 days
#2 posted 322 days ago
Wow ! This came out great , Lenny : )
A very unique insert area …I’m assuming that air is being drawn in through the corners ?
I like your design as it seems to cover all of the basic needs without being overly complicated.
Have a great weekend , my friend : )
-- When did quiet and quite become the same word ? I'm guessing about the same time as your and you're did.
Ken Fitzpatrick
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365 posts in 2196 days
#3 posted 322 days ago
Very nice. Love the vacuum hookup. The drawer is also a very nice touch. Thanks for sharing
-- • "I have noticed that nothing I have never said ever did me any harm."....... Calvin Coolidge
Roger
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#4 posted 322 days ago
A fine DP table-top indeed. Now I know ya got more drill bits than that… :)
-- Roger from KY. Work/Play/Travel Safe. Kentuk55@bellsouth.net
ssull4167
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31 posts in 587 days
#5 posted 322 days ago
Great job lenny that really looks good. I can tell you like your projects to look their best and yours deffinetely do. I like your vacum hookup. If your like me at all i love making jigs for the shop. Like they say if there aint nothing to build than you should be fishing :)
Loucarb
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#6 posted 322 days ago
Great job Lenny. That should serve you well for a number of years.
Lenny
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1041 posts in 1700 days
#7 posted 322 days ago
Thanks everyone. Len, you are correct regarding dust pickup via the corners. Ha, ha, astute observation there Roger. Of course I have more drill bits than shown in the photos.
-- On the eighth day God was back in His woodworking shop! Lenny, East Providence, RI
blackcherry
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2906 posts in 1995 days
#8 posted 322 days ago
Well done Lenny, it a beautiful design and the CL Drill Press is a great conversation piece as well ….bravo on this score…BC
HarleySoftailDeuce
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272 posts in 1592 days
#9 posted 322 days ago
Very Nice job Lenny….perhaps someday you will have a tv show? I bet that’s how Norm Abrams started out.
I’ve been still adjusting with my obstacles…as you know….and hopefully soon I’ll be better and can resume my woodworking projects. Say hello to Julie for me ….(and the girls)
-- Paul, Bristol,Rhode Island
Beginningwoodworker
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#10 posted 322 days ago
Nice table, Lenny. Great score on the drill press.
-- CJIII Future cabinetmaker
Napaman
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#11 posted 321 days ago
nice job…looks like this will really be valuable…
-- Matt--Proud LJ since 2007
Woodenwizard
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#12 posted 321 days ago
Great looking Table. I need to keep this in mind for my next drill press table. Although mine works well you have a few great ideas I would like to have. So may have to revamp current table. Thanks for sharing.
-- John, Colorado's (Wooden Wizard)
Bob Kollman
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1779 posts in 1363 days
#13 posted 321 days ago
Nice looking table Lenny, I was surprised to here you say that you don’t use the drill press very often. That rigid drill looks good. I like the dust extraction also. I have a bungee cord that holds a 2” dust hose on mine. The drawer is nice, having a place for the chuck key at the press is important. How many times can a lost guy walk around in small circles going, “where’s the chuck key, where’s the chuck key….I just had it.” Big smile!!!
-- Bob Kenosha Wi.
bobasaurus
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#14 posted 321 days ago
Great looking table. I added it to my favorites so I can make a similar one someday… already have the t track waiting for me to become less lazy and do it.
Rxmpo
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231 posts in 1918 days
#15 posted 321 days ago
Great job Lenny! I will make sure to get in touch when I am ready to attempt this project myself!
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