Support system for drill press work involving long workpieces

Here are some pictures of the support structure I added to my drill press so I can easily handle long workpieces. For pieces that are only modestly bigger than the table I added one of HTC’s M-128 Drill Press suports

http://www.amazon.com/HTC-PM-128-Drill-Press-Support/dp/B0000223B5

I modified it to rise and fall with the drill press table as clamping it to the drill press column seemed a clumsy way to go.

For long workpieces, I added shelf brackets and standards attached to the wall. The third picture shows how I can get to within 1/4” of level by choosing one of the four standards, each of which is shifted 1/4” relative to its neighbor.

I have a few shims on hand that dial in the last 1/4” and presto bingo I have my long workpiece fully supported and can work on the end or wherever with ease.

If anyone is wondering, I got the standards and shelf brackets from Lee Valley.

If I am being careful I use a level to check the setting of the shelf brackets but it is often not necessary.

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