A drill press is a must-have in any workshop. Unfortunately, the drill stand I use with my hand drill features a rather small table. While this might be sufficient for metalworking tasks, this is not enough for any woodworking job.
Firstly, it is very inconvenient to attach a fence on such a small table – drill press tables usually come with diagonal slots. There’s also not enough room to effectively use hold-down clamps, and the center hole, if present, is typically too small to fit larger bits or sanding drums.
The good news is, that you can make your drill press table top. Creating a simple yet functional table can significantly ease your work on various projects and make your time in the shop much more productive. There is a huge difference between having and not having a usable drill press table.
RELATED:
Simple Drill Press Table Video
Check out the video below for a step-by-step guide on how to make a drill press table and simple t track hold down clamps.
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Table of Contents
- Simple Drill Press Table Video
- Materials and Tools
- How to Make a Simple Drill Press Table
- Step 1: Cut the Wooden Boards
- Step 2: Make the T-Tracks
- Step 3: Make Hold-Down Clamps for the Drill Press Table
- How to set up and use a drill press table
- Woodworking jigs used for the project
*Safety is your responsibility. Make sure you know what you’re doing and take all necessary safety precautions while working with power tools. Safety comes first! Always be cautious and careful when using any power tool.
Material for the DIY Drill Press Table and T-Track Clamps
DIY Drill Press Table
Birch Plywood – 2x (460 x 150 x 12 mm)
MDF – 2x (460 x 148 x 8 mm)
Chipboard (or any scrapwood) – (460 x 310 x 18 mm)
Wood Strips (Spruce wood)
2x (210 x 29 x 13 mm)
1x (120 x 29 x 13 mm)
DIY Hold-Down Clamps
Birch Plywood – 2x (120 x 35 x 12 mm) – https://amzn.to/3SAj7SH
Bolts M8, length 80mm, Washers, Wing Nuts M8
Shop Made Clamps: https://amzn.to/3RJPEEf
Tools:
Jigsaw – https://amzn.to/3S85cDr
Hand Drill – https://amzn.to/3HqLEnH
Quick Clamps – https://amzn.to/48jGxkZ
Spring Clamps – https://amzn.to/41Nuh9D
F-Clamps – https://amzn.to/48ArzY1
Wolfcraft Mini Clamps – https://amzn.to/3RJwNJK
Machinist Square / Speed Square
Other Material:
Wood Glue – https://amzn.to/48ltKhJ
Sandpaper Sheets – https://amzn.to/41OMx2p
Wood Screws – https://amzn.to/41PodgQ
Drilling and Driving Set – https://amzn.to/48Kaaf7
Jigsaw Blades – https://amzn.to/4aXeF83
Check all the Tools I Use
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What is a Drill Press Table?
A drill press table is a valuable accessory that enhances the functionality of a drill press, making woodworking and metalworking tasks more efficient and precise. It acts as an expanded work surface that attaches directly to the drill press, offering a stable and ample area to support a wide range of projects.
They are typically made from sturdy materials such as MDF (Medium-Density Fibreboard) or plywood, these tables are designed with features like T-slots or tracks. These additions enable users to securely fasten clamps, vises, and jigs, enhancing precision and safety during operations.
Let's Begin!
The table I am making in this tutorial consists of 2 main parts:
- Drill Press Table Top – it is made out of several wood layers – Chipboard, MDF, and Plywood. Solid and sturdy, fixed to the default drill stand table. These layers are stacked on top of each other forming a T-track for hold-down clamps and other accessories.
- Hold Down Clamps – homemade hold-down clamps for the drill press table’s T-Track
All the material is readily available and you’ll be able to finish the drill press table for under $10. Probably you already have the material in the workshop.
TIP: If you are looking for the best drill for your drill stand I have great experience with the Bosch GSB 13 RE. It is powerful yet very lightweight, making it ideal for a wide range of projects.
Attaching a table to a drill stand can be done through several methods, as most drill stands come with a standard table featuring routed metal slots. Here’s how you can do it:
- Fasten the tabletop directly to the drill stand using screws or bolts that fit into the stand’s diagonal slots.
- Alternatively, attach wooden strips to the underside of the drill press table to serve as guide rails. This allows the table to slide over the standard table of the drill stand.
For this particular project, I’ve decided on the second approach. It offers the flexibility to easily attach and detach the table as required.
How to Make a Simple Drill Press Table for a Hand Drill Stand
Step 1: Cut the Wooden Boards
I started by cutting the baseboard. I used some scrap wood I found in the workshop (chipboard – 460 x 310 x 18 mm). Throughout the entire project, I am using a jigsaw only. To make a clean straight cut you can use a Jigsaw Guide Track.
Make a cutout in the baseboard to slide the table around the stand.
I used a jigsaw to cut the wood. Although there are other multiple ways to do it. A Forstner bit of the right size would work as well.
Place the baseboard on the drill stand, and from underneath, trace a line around the perimeter of the standard table stand. This outline will serve as a guide for placing the wooden strips that will secure the table in place.
Cut 3 wood strips. It’s quick and easy with a jigsaw crosscut jig. If you don’t have one just use a hand saw (the cuts don’t have to be perfectly perpendicular).
Attach the wooden strips to the baseboard with both glue and screws. Preferably make the fit slightly tighter rather than too loose, as the strips may wear down over time. If necessary, you can sand the strips down gradually until you achieve the perfect fit.
Step 2: Make the T-track
Having a T-track on a drill press table makes a huge difference and brings your drill press to the next level. With a T-track, you can attach various accessories like a T-track fence, T-track clamps (including hold-down clamps), T-track bolts, and more.
One of the simplest methods to create DIY T-tracks involves laminating multiple layers of wood together to form a T-track shape.
- Cut 2 MDF desks and attach them to the baseboard, ensuring there’s a slot left in the middle.
- Then cut 2 plywood desks and place them on top of the MDF desks, thereby creating a T-track shape.
I am using only glue to bond the desks together. However, if you prefer a more secure attachment, you can also choose to screw the desks together.
I am using M8 bolts as t-track bolts. The height of the bolt’s head should be lower or as high as the thickness of the MDF desk. If necessary, use a grinder to make it the right height.
When gluing the desks together leave just enough space between the desks so you can fit in the bolt nicely. You should be able to slide the bolt in the slot but not turn it.
TIP: You can use a grinder or a disc sander to shape the head of the bolt into an oval. This modification allows the bolt to fit snugly within the T-track and facilitates easier locking.
This is what the finished T-track looks like.
One last thing before mounting the table on the drill stand. Once finished with the tabletop cut out the rest of the wood to fit the drill stand rod and sand the cut smooth.
The drill press table is now finished.
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Step 3: Make the Hold Down Clamps
Now let’s build the hold-down clamps. (If you don’t want to make them, just get these shop-made clamps. They will work just fine 😉)
First, take two pieces of plywood with dimensions of 120 x 35 x 12 mm each and glue them together.
Sketch the clamp shapes onto the glued wood pieces, then use a jigsaw to cut out the rough shapes. After cutting, grab a piece of sandpaper to smooth out and round all the edges.
Drill a slot in the clamp for the bolt with a ø10mm drill bit and smooth out all the edges with sandpaper.
This is what the finished t-track clamps look like.
Drill a slot in the clamp for the bolt with a ø10mm drill bit and smooth out all the edges with sandpaper.
How to Setup and Use a Drill Press Stand Table
The steps below provide information on how to set up and use a drill press stand table.
- Clamp down the entire drill press and the drill press table to a benchtop.
- Consider adding extra legs to the drill press table to have a firm stand on the sides and to prevent the table from potentially tilting.
- Add other drill press table accessories such as hold-down clamps, a drill press table fence, or stop blocks,´.
NOTE: Make sure the entire drill press table is secure and firmly attached to the drill stand.
I was really happy with the outcome of the table. It is a simple solution but makes the drill press so much better now. Beyond just adding hold-down clamps, there are several enhancements you can make, such as incorporating a fence, stop blocks, a vise, or even a complete T-track system. Each of these additions opens up a host of new possibilities.
A drill press is one of the essential tools in the workshop. Enhance it with a drill press table, add additional accessories, and get the most out of it. HAPPY BUILDING!
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