A drill press is an essential tool for any wood craftsman. It’s used to create precise holes on wood pieces, which can serve a variety of functions for each woodworking project.
Now, your drill press is better off placed in a stand so that it isn’t just lying around your workshop. It’s also a good idea to add a simple drill press table so you can complete your woodworking projects with ease.
Here’s a quick guide on creating your own drill press stand and table:
Drill Press Stand with 2 Drawers
Materials Needed:
¾” plywood, 2 pieces 4’x8’
¼” plywood, 1 piece 2’x4’
1 ¼” pocket screws
¾” screws
1 ¼” brad nails
2 drawer knobs
3” caster wheels, 4 pieces
Wood glue
Wood stain or paint
Procedure:
1. Cut the boards according to these dimensions:
Frame:
¾” plywood with the following sizes:
2 pieces 20”x24 ½” long
1 piece 19”x20” long
1 piece 19”x20 ¼” long
Shelves:
¾” plywood, 2 pieces 17 ½”x20” long
Back:
¼” plywood, 1 piece 19”x25 ¼” long
Drawers:
¾” plywood with the following sizes:
2 pieces 3 ¾”x17 ¼” long
2 pieces 3 ¾”x18 ½” long
1 piece 15 ¾”x18 ½” long
2. Create the stand’s frame:
Take the plywood pieces for the frame and assemble accordingly.
Align the pieces’ edges carefully, then drill pocket holes along the pieces’ top and bottom edges.
Glue the joints together and secure with 1 ¼” screws.
3. Create the drawer shelves:
Measure 4 inches from the top of the stand and mark. This will be where the first shelf sits.
Measure another 4 inches from the first shelf to determine location of the second shelf. Mark.
Take the 2 pieces of corresponding plywood sheets and drill pocket holes along its sides.
Fit the plywood inside the frame, then screw into place.
4. Add the back panel:
Take the ¼” plywood and align to the stand’s back.
Secure with 1 ¼” brad nails.
5. Build the drawers:
Create the drawer frame from ¾” plywood pieces.
Glue the pieces together and further secure with brad nails.
Fit the drawers’ bottoms to the cabinet stand.
Drill pocket holes along the drawers’ edges, then secure to the shelves with screws.
Thoroughly wax the shelves.
Attach the knobs on the drawer’s front sides.
6. Finishing touches:
Screw the caster wheels to the stand’s bottom using ¾” screws.
Fill any holes with wood putty and leave to dry for a few hours.
Sand the surface evenly.
Coat with wood stain or paint to finish.
Your drill press stand with drawers is now ready to use.
Drill Press Table
Materials Needed:
Plywood:
2 pieces 23”x14”x3/4”
1 piece 24”x2 ½”x3/4”
1 piece 24”x2”x3/4”
1 piece 2 ½”X2 ½”x3/4”
1 piece 24”x4”x1/2” (for the 6 inserts)
Hardwood:
2 pieces 13 ¼”x1 ½”x3/4”
1 piece 24”x1 ½”x ¾”
1 24” T Track
1 36” T Track
1 pack ¼” Threaded Inserts
Countersink screws
1 pack ¼” 20 Star Thru Knob
4 pieces ¼” 20×1 ½” Star Knob
1 pack ¼” 20×1 1/2” T Bolt
Wood glue
Procedure:
1. Make the table:
Break one plywood board in half, then cut to table size with an offset of about 1/8”. The table is 24” wide and 14” long.
Glue the two boards together, making sure that edges don’t overlap with each other.
Clamp down and let dry.
Trim the edges to bring the table to its final length and width.
Cut one post notch on the center part of the table’s 24” side.
2. Create the fence:
Cut two 24”x1 ½”x ¾” plywood pieces.
Cut a ¾”x3/8” deep dado on the fence’s vertical piece.
Glue the fence pieces together.
Cut a notch on top of one fence piece.
3. Add trim pieces:
Cut the trim pieces from the hardwood.
Turn the table upside down, then glue the trim pieces on it.
4. Add zero clearance inserts:
Drill a hole in the table’s center.
Draw the insert’s square-shaped location on the table in a way that the drilled hole is in the middle of the insert’s upper right quadrant.
Manually cut out the drawn square from the table center.
Cut out 6 4”x4” squares from plywood to serve as inserts.
Round corners with a disc sander, then cut out a tiny finger hole on one side.
Fit the inserts inside the table.
5. Add T tracks and inserts, then attach fence to table:
Drill two holes on the fence’s bottom, aligning it with the T track.
Cut the T tracks to size. Drill pilot holes into it, then screw onto the fence.
Add threaded inserts so that the table can be attached to the drill press’ built-in cast-iron table. Screw them in with a flat-blade screwdriver.
Attach the completed fence with T tracks and inserts to the table top using T bolts and star-thru knobs.
Attach the completed table to the table using 1 ½” star knobs.
6. Add a stop block:
Cut a block of plywood in 2 ½”x2 ½” dimensions.
Drill a hole in its center, then attach to the fence with a knob and a 1” long ¼-20 T bolt.
Your drill press table is finally complete.
You now have your own drill press stand and table, which will make using this valuable woodworking tool even easier. Complete your projects in a breeze with these new DIY accessories for your drill press.
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