Floor versus benchtop drill press

[dlminehart]

I have a full sized floor length DP, and have never used the full length feature. Getting short of floor space, I was thinking of replacing it with a benchtop unit mounted on a cabinet in which I could store bits, etc. I'd want one with comparable speeds and power, but it doesn't seem this is a problem.

Anyone found themselves wishing they'd gotten the full length rather than benchtop variety? If so, for what purposes?

[RodKirby]

I had a benchtop DP for about 15 years - the cabinet to the right of the floor DP is what it sat on (see pic). I got the floor DP about 2 years ago.

On a benchtop DP - if you chuck a 1/2" drill bit and wind the table all the way down - how much workpiece space do you have? Is it enough for you? Some forstner bits are also "long".

IMHO this is the biggest advantage with the floor DP. The ability to swing the table 90° to drill long workpieces end-on may be of interest to you.

BTW - don't even consider a DP without rack/pinnion table adjustment - unless you figure you're Mr Universe!

[LCHIEN]

I have a full sized floor length DP, and have never used the full length feature. Getting short of floor space, I was thinking of replacing it with a benchtop unit mounted on a cabinet in which I could store bits, etc. I'd want one with comparable speeds and power, but it doesn't seem this is a problem.

Anyone found themselves wishing they'd gotten the full length rather than benchtop variety? If so, for what purposes?

Most people want to go the other way...

But consider doing this: Keep your present drill press. Make a cabinet that is wide enough and the wheels have clearance to straddle the DP base. Then you can keep your bits etc below the DP table save that space, yet you can move the cabinet when needed on rare ocassion to use the full extension of the table movement. The main drawback I see is that the DP column will prevent you from having a very deep cabinet, this may or may not be a problem depending upon how much storage you need and what the swing of your DP is. Also, you can have the cabinet extend out a couple of inches past the table without inconvenience in use, I think.

Most Benchtops start smaller and less capable than floor standing ones. if you are happy with the present DP this will alow you to keep its characteristics while utilizing the space below. And losing the money that happens when you trade up or down.

[gwyneth]

I've seen a whole lot of projects that, like Rod's, incorporate a cabinet into the floor drill press. Some of them sort of enclose the column; some of them just put a smaller cabinet on the base. One nestled the d.p. column between two smallish wall-mounted cabinets.

The results end up offering about as much storage as could a cabinet under a benchtop d.p., while retaining the benefits of the floor model.

IMO, you should look at pictures and plans for this kind of project and then you'll either feel inspired, "yes! I could...." and start thinking about ways that could work for your situation, or you'll shake your head and start thinking where to get a bench-top and what to do with the old one.

PS: Rod, I believe you are the only woodworker on the planet whose drill press manages to look more like equipment in a doctor's office or hospital than in a shop.