Project: DIY Drill Press Stand

[aka Larry]

As with most garages, my floor space is a premium. I have a table-top drill press and wanted to build a permanent floor-mounted stand with a small footprint. The design was inspired by one I saw on-line, and I’d like to give the guy credit here, but the old link I have no longer works.

I went to a local old-school machine shop and scored some nice pieces of steel for cheap. I got a 3-foot piece of 3” square tubing and two 8”x12”x3/8” thick plates for $20. I already had some scrap 1-1/4” square tubing, so with all the materials in hand I was ready to get started.

Below are pics of the build process if you’re interested.

 

[fpagano]

I salvaged a bench top drill press from my last job that I was told was "garbage" because the belt snapped. So needless to say I took it! I just hated the fact that it would take up valuable bench space and I thought about making a stand. Yours looks great! The vise holder is definitely a +!
Great work!! This will definitely inspire me to make one. Thanks!

 

[nine4gmc]

good job! those welds look great!

 

[DirtyWhiteBoy]

Nice!

The problem I have is.......you're making me look lazy


BTW my chop saw showed up today
I hope to fine some inspirational shop time next week!

 

[gregthor]

aka Larry - Nice job on the stand and nice detailed write up!! Thanks for sharing

 

[grenade inspector]

looks good

 

[usdemt]

Looks good, but why rely on a cheap level for square? I have always used a framing square, speed square etc.

 

[jtbinvalrico]

That looks really nice. What color you gonna go with? I also noticed your HF clamps.......I pick up a few extras when they go on sale. I keep about ten of those around the shop, I kill one or two from time to time.

 

[aka Larry]

Looks good, but why rely on a cheap level for square? I have always used a framing square, speed square etc.

I've found when dealing with heavy stuff on multiple axes, it's easier to use a level vs. a square. That level is also magnetic, which leaves both my hands free. Although cheap, I've checked it against a nice level and it's right.

That looks really nice. What color you gonna go with? I also noticed your HF clamps.......I pick up a few extras when they go on sale. I keep about ten of those around the shop, I kill one or two from time to time.

Thanks. It's actually painted now. I went with the Rustoleum Gray Hammered finish. Those HF clamps are ****, at least mine are. Part of that may be the humidity has rusted the bar sections, but even when new the trigger grip doesn't work very well.

 

[MatthewM]

I've had bad luck with the HF clamps too. I've broken all I've ever purchased and just stopped getting them.

 

[jtbinvalrico]

Don't get me wrong, the HF clamps are garbage.....I use them more as an "extra pinky" as opposed to an "extra hand" for when I need non-critical positioning of a part.

 

[NUTTSGT]

The drill press stand looks killer. How about a picture of it painted ?




I'll agree on the crappiness of the HF clamps.

 

[Plump]

Admittedly, I know little to nothing about welding, but those welds definitely look nice. Cool project that I wish I could pull off.

I'll learn how to weld someday!

 

[coolreed]

Nice work and nice welding. You da MAN!

 

[aka Larry]

Thanks for the kind words guys.

I'll try to get a picture of it painted when I move it into my new shop. Fingers crossed the building company is 'supposed' to start on Wednesday.

 

[JonBoehman]

Great build! This may just be my next build also.