A quick and easy drill press table that you can build for your workshop no matter your skill level. Take a look at how to build this drill press table top for under $10.
A drill press is one of the essential tools in the workshop. I am using a drill stand for my hand drill that unfortunately comes with a small table. This might be sufficient for the metalworking, but unfortunately, 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 is not enough space to use hold-down clamps and ultimately the hole in the center is not large enough to accommodate large bits or drums (provided there is a hole at all).
As a solution, you can build your own drill press table top. This one is very simple but will help you with multiple projects and it will make working in the shop a lot easier. There is a huge difference between having and not having a usable drill press table.
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Table of Contents
- Build the Drill Press Table
- Step 1: Making T-Tracks
- Step 2: Make Clamps for the Drill Press Table
- How to set up and use a drill press table
- Simple Drill Press Table Video
- 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.
What you'll need to build the
DIY Drill Press Table & T-Track Clamps
Drill Press Table
Birch Plywood – 2x (46 x 15 x 1,2 cm)
MDF – 2x (46 x 14,8 x 0,8 cm)
Chipboard (or any scrapwood) – (46 x 31 x 1,8 cm)
Wood Stripes (Spruce wood)
2x (21 x 2,9 x 1,3 cm)
1x (12 x 2,9 x 1,3)
Hold Down Clamps
Birch Plywood – 2x (12 x 3,5 x 1,2 cm)
Bolts M8, length 8cm, Washers. Wing Nuts M8
Other
Wood Glue, Wood Screws
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Let's Begin!
The drill press table consists of 2 main parts:
- Drill Press Table Top – made out of several wood layers – Chipboard, MDF, and Plywood. Solid and sturdy, fixed to the default drill stand table. Together the layers form a T-track
- 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 table for under $10.
How to Make a Simple Drill Press Table for a Hand Drill Stand
Step 1: Build the Drill Press Table
The drill press table can be attached to the default drill stand table in a few ways.
- Using screws/bolts to fix the table to the diagonal slots on the drill stand default table
- Adding wooden strips to the bottom of the drill press table and use them as guide rails to slide it over the default drill stand table
I am using the latter one. You can easily attach and detach the table whenever needed.
I started by cutting the baseboard. I used some scrap wood I found in the workshop (chipboard – 46 x 31 x 1,8 cm). To make a clean straight cut you can use a Jigsaw Guide Track.
Make a cut in the baseboard to slide the table around the stand.
I used a jigsaw to cut the wood out but there are other multiple ways how to do it. A Forstner bit of the right size would work as well.
Place the baseboard on the drill stand and draw a line around the default drill stand table to mark the position for the wood stripes that will hold the table in position.
Cut 3 wood stripes. It’s quick and easy with this jigsaw crosscut jig.
Fix the stripes to the baseboard using glue and crews. Better to make the grip stronger than too loose.
The strips will wear out in time although you can always sand them a bit until yout get the right fit.
1. Make a Drill Press Table T-track
Having a T-track on a drill press table makes a huge difference and brings your drill press to the next level. You can mount additional accessories such as a t-track fence, t-track clamps (hold down clamps), t-track bolts, and others.
Fix multiple layers of wood together and make a T-Track
- Cut 2 MDF desks and fix them with the baseboard leaving a slot in the middle
- Cut 2 Plywood desks and fix them over the MDF desks forming a T-track
I am using only glue to fix the desks together. Optionally, you can screw them 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. 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. You’ll be able to fit the bolt in the t-track and also it will lock easier.
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 wood for the stand rod and sand the cut smooth.
The drill press table is now finished.
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Step 2: Make Hold Down Clamps for the Drill Press Table
Let’s build hold-down clamps for the table that fit in the t-slot.
Glue together 2 pieces of plywood to get a prism with the following dimensions: 12 x 3,5 x 2,4 cm.
Draw the shape of the clamps on the wood pieces and cut them out.
Use a jigsaw to cut out the rough shape and then a piece of sandpaper or a disc sander to smooth 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.
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 pleased with how the table turned out. It is a simple solution but makes the drill press so much better now. Apart from the hold-down clamps as an addition, you can enhance the table with a fence or an entire T-track system for better operability.
If you want to take your drill press table to the next level check out this build – an advanced drill press table.
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!
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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Ready to build it? Save THIS PIN to your Board on Pinterest!
