Pillar Drills

[Tommytiptip]

Has anyone got/used the Fox 12 speed pillar drill? 230rpm up to 2470. Thinking of changing from my 5 speed draper. Predominantly to use larger slower drill bits, augers and maybe rotobroach on thicker mild steel. All input appreciated thanks.

 

[zx9]

No I have no experience of the Fox 12 speed drill but I would say that 230 rpm is still comparatively fast, ideally you need a pillar drill with a mechanical gear box for use with large drill bits, kind of like a low range transfer box on a 4x4.

 

[gordon stephenson]

For larger slow drilling etc, You will also have to take into account the power/torque of the machine,

 

[Tommytiptip]

What sort of speed should I be aiming for?

 

[Gareth0123]

I have a Warco 2B12 Bench Drill 650 watt, MT2 X 16 speeds, 120 rpm to 3000rpm, 82kg...…. nearly 20kg heavier than the Sealey and Clarke et-el offerings …. Heavy is good, heavy is reliable, if it doesn't work you can hit them with it...….. I often use it for holesawing 200mm in 12mm MDF and 150mm in 4mm durbar...... no problems

 

[optima21]

ulimately it depends on what you want to use it for I've got a clarke 12 speed drill with a slow speed of 210rpm and a 370w motor, so its underpowered and a slower speed would be better, but belt can be a problem with lager holes due to the torque, so as ZX9 says an old school drill with a backgear for slow speeds would be better. this is the one I have, and its a bit flimsy, not slow enough and under powered

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/cdp10b-drill-press/

but given a bit of time I recently cut a 3" diameter hole in some 15mm thick steel. (it was drilled from both sides).

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

Whack a beefy 3p and vfd on it. Combination of belt and motor speeds should give you all the speed adjustments you need with decent torque. I'd do that to mine but its a cheapo Clarke. Il wait till I get a better drill to use it on.
Mostly I use my mill Drill which I will be fitting a 2hp 3phase motor too.