Pillar Drill Modding (Part2)

With the drill up and running now (see my last post), I have been making some hold down clamps. It cuts wonderfully through steel, on a nice slow consistent speed. In the photo below I am using the hold down (drilled and tapped with the new drill press) to secure a van part that required a new hole and thread.

As you an see this was taken before I touched up the paint. Hold down clamp

Yummm. Here it is in use making some whipped cream ;) Pillar Drill

So yeah, it is working very well. Only thing that I might improve now perhaps, is the adjustment of the drill’s table. To raise it up is quite an operation, as it lacks any rack and pinion system. I love the way you can quickly swing the table round out of the way, but some kind of raising system would be useful. Haven’t seen any mods on the net, anyone got any suggestions? Some sort of simple jacking system between the bottom and top table maybe…

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Pillar Drill Modding

Posted: 11|5|09 at 6:24 pm. Categorically squeezed into: Modding.

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Responses to Pillar Drill Modding (Part2)

George Jensen
August 11th, 2021 at 3:22 pm
Hi Stephen,
I’ve only recently found your videos and website and think you are doing a proper job! I’m really looking forward to learning more, especially making my electric motors variable.
As for the drill table, what about a cable fixed to the rear (behind the post), running up, and over a pully with a weight hanging from the other end. Maybe this would balance the table when upward force is applied to adjust height? The challenge may be to find the correct amount of weight as too much would then make it difficult to lower. I reckon there’d have to be a sweet spot.

Possibly further:
An improved ‘quick release’ grip (post to table) for ease of use.
The addition of a collar between the table and post.
Or got completely nuts and swap it all out for a guide/runner/ track driven by chain and gears! Moving either the plate, or the drill.
What about about fixing the drill to a hydraulic ram and welding a baseplate to the bottom of the cylinder? Run a pole from the drill through the table, which would at the base of the ram/top of the cylinder, then you could also spin the whole drill unit when needed. And the table would always be at the same height; no more height adjusting for long lengths of material.
I’m going to stop now.

Looking forward to seeing your ideas.
GJ

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Pillar Drill Modding (Part2)

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