Im taking a machine Tool course at my local community college, and just recently did a project that was designed to emphasize how bad a drill bit can wobble. In short, the bit will take the path of least resistance, so center punching is a must for accuracy. Glad to see this shown to the woodworking crowd as well. Thanks.

The wood shop in my school loves your videos and my Teacher uses them all the time, thanks for the great content!

You know what annoys me? Just how neat, clean and organized your workshop is. It really isn't fair to the rest of us!

I like your idea of scoring the corners with a caliper to get precise corner holes. Something to remember for later use. Thank you.

1.) Drill press tables are attached to the plate so you can still turn it if you want. 2.) It takes less time to make a few round inserts than it did to type this sentence 3.) Make a table that allows you x-y capabilities. No need for a crank in the back. 4.) There are more then several videos of a mini drill press. i have made quite a few for my cordless for jobsite applications with a couple of scrapts and drawer slides. the simple lever allows for 150 pounds of pressure or much more. 5.) I have very useful drawers on my table for so much. Bits, Chuck keys, chucks, 3in1 oil, sanding bits, speed squares, right angles, etc. 6.) You can incorporate "T" tracks or Miter slots and now you're able to do a LOT more. You can spend a couple of hours on a nice table and really appreciate all your drill press can offer, or not. I believe the pros out weigh the cons though. Just my opinion.

In my freshman wood shop class (this year) I implemented some of your tips and techniques and my teacher was pleasantly surprised at me. I told him it was all you

To me, it's the difference between drilling holes as you showed, versus making things which require a lot of repitition. A fence and movable stop are quite handy and the is no accuracy if the aux table isn't secured to the metal table...clamps around the sides get in the way. Also, I've experienced trying to hand-hold a workpiece when the friction gets too much and the workpiece starts spinning...not a pretty sight and sometimes hurts big time. Regular use of a fence is for safety...workpiece can't spin. Ignoring that aspect of safety reminds me of seeing a mattress on the roof of a car, held in place by string and hands through the car windows. I'm sure the car occupants think "I've got it!" But arms are no match for aerodynamic lift on a mattress.

"The drills often wobble a little bit" Matthias, you crack me up. I really like your videos, buddy. Keep up the outstanding work.

I too do this and when I need to I make a fence and a stop for metal and other piece that require more repeat-ability. It is nice to be able to make what you need when you need it not feeling locked into a table design that might restrict your abilities. Great little vid Matthias

Once again, I'm looking around for general shop information and I land on another of your excellent videos. Today obviously, I'm researching drill presses and thinking about adding one to my shop. I marvel at your shop organization also. I'm going to use your video show my wife why I NEED a Drill Press and can't just do it with a drill. Thank YOU again and again for your continued excellence in all woodworking disciplines. Thumbs UP

I have been watching quite a few of your video's and without a doubt you are a very talented carpenter who has hands of Gold. Keep the video's coming because your projects are just amazing.

I built a very simple one - plywood that extends a couple of inches beyond the metal base to make it easier to clamp to. Thought one day I'd build a more sophisticated one. You've helped me realize that what I have is sufficient and more flexible. Thanks for saving me a lot of wasted time.

First thing I did when I got my drill press was make a nice table for it. But with experience, I now agree on many of your points. The insert doesn't last long enough and is a pain to make replacements for. The fence gets in the way more often than it is actually useful.

You're right! It's what each of us needs. I bought my drill press in 1985 and attached a 3/4" 14 x 22" piece of plywood that is still like new. If I needed a fence or stop block, I used a board, clamps and a piece of scrap. Now, I might make a narrow fence only for dust collection and use it with a clamp.

Have you people seen what this man builds with his "cheap" tools?? Apparently it is the ability as a master woodworker.Spending tons of money on the big brand names Doesn't matter when you're that talented.

I have seen others proudly show their DP table but I just can convince myself it is as useful as what people seem to think,I have used my DP for metal fabrication and woodworking for 30 plus years and honestly a piece of plywood /two clamps has been more than enough every time.Matthias,thank you for making my point.

Matthias, you're awesome! Your videos are extra-instructive because you don't just say "I do it this way" but you explain WHY you do it that way and WHAT BAD THINGS WILL HAPPEN if you did it a different way. Thank you!

Just bought a drill press and came across this vid. It’s a no nonsense explanation that provides an option to making more complex drill press tables. I’ll use this type table and a second slip on type. Thank you for the vid.

I think that a very useful addition to a drill press would be a cover to make the bottom of the table casting flat. My clamps are always awkward to position among the reinforcing ribs under the table.

I'm with ya on this one Matthias.

I agree with all of your points on this one. I built, and used drill press table years ago, and eventually got frustrated and removed it. One other benefit of removing the table top was it reduced the footprint of my drill press significantly as well. I now just use a scrap piece of plywood in the same way you do. Also, my drill press does not have the crank to raise and lower the table height quickly like yours, so I actually have a few of these scraps of plywood nearby that I can stack on the table to quickly get it to the right height in a hurry.

Thanks for the insight. I have a Bridgeport mill for presise drilling , milling , or even wood routing on wood but have been pondering a table with fence for the drill press. As you pointed out it'll probably handicap more than be handy. I keep several hardwood scraps of different sizes to use for awkward setups that don't require setting up a mill to do.

This is why I like your videos, you make me realize I don’t need to waste money on something I might not need. Thanks!

This is refreshing. After assembling a new floor mounted drill press, then looking for a drill press table, I didn't stop to ask if I needed one to begin with. After all, I can always add one later.

Not very many people do the crazy things he does with a drill press. Personal choice!!! I CHOOSE to have one of those "fancy" drill press tables because it works for me and I LIKE having it!!!

Matthias, another practical, straight forward informative video. Thanks for your time and efforts,

We all work in different ways. It's good to see how others work, because it can make our own work better. I do use a table, but it's very simple. Just a piece of 3/4" MDF bolted to the stock table through the slots. It's somewhat larger than the stock table, giving more support to larger pieces being drilled. The overhang makes it convenient for clamping. I also often use an MDF fence, just clamped to the table. Whenever I'm doing through-drilling, I also use a piece of scrap for a backer, which as you point out prevents blow-out. It also saves my MDF table, but it's easy enough to replace. My drill press is a floor model, so access to the crank is not an issue.

Just today I was getting frustrated with my drill press, table and fence. I built the table and fence to increase accuracy with repeated drills, but I wasn't getting the accuracy I expected. I found this video at the right moment. I will be measuring/scoring and using the awl until I'm way more confident in my drill press skills. Thanks for taking the time to make a video for a concept that feels like it should be simple and straightforward but has nuances that can ruin a project.

I agree. I have a Skil drill press and it never even occurred to me to build anything onto it for the table. I can't imagine why I'd want to do anything any differently than how you're using yours in the video. If I need to set the table up with some kind of guide, fence, or whatever, I grab some scrap wood pieces and clamps and I'm good to go. All the reasons you stated and more - my press's table can also rotate in the Z axis and sometimes I need that feature. I'd never cripple myself with something I'd end up taking apart anyway. Only thing my press doesn't already have that I'd love would be truly variable speed. Presses are awesome. :-) And a big wow about the 160lbs. Never thought about it, but I know there have been times when my downforce was way up there also.

A very practical video with different vantage points considered, I appreciate the easy solutions.

Smart video. I have pondered building a table many times. I always ended up taking the lazy way out and not doing it because it seems like it's just going to in the end add more hassle. Glad to have my thinking confirmed.

My reaction after 7 years LOL. Great video, nice to see that you use exactly the same methods as I came up on the other side of the planet, very practical. To prevent the drill bit still going too deep I use a cable tie to set the maximum depth. There are some electronic hand drills out there that are powerful enough to give pretty good results when used in a drill stand. I use a second hand Metabo SBE 1000 in a Wabeco drill stand, in low gear setting it drills up to pretty wide (3 inch+/7,5 cm+) and deep holes in hardwood and steel at a very acceptable speed and precision. One of the nice features of this drill is that the speed can be set manually by turning an easily accessible knob. Using a drill stand with an electric hand drill will never render the precision of a drill press and at that ease, but the results can be very acceptable. And it's the portability which is of great importance to me. The strange thing about this Metabo drill though is that in theory it only delivers 29.50 Foot-pounds/40Nm of torque but it feels far more powerful, it doesn't seem to have a hard time at all doing this job, it never jammed.

Matthias, I love the crap out of your visuals, logic, and humility. You're great.

As someone wondering whether to make one, I was thinking the biggest perk of having one was going to be simply the increased surface area for holding longer boards? Wasn't going to faff about with recessed grooves for replaceable inserts or t-slots, just a slab of 18mm ply that gets clamped on-top of the stock table from underneath.

Nice tip w the caliper. Thanks!

As always an interesting points with multiple work arounds, thanks for sharing

Excellent presentation. Point well made. Thank you.

Thank you for sharing this knowledge, some items I had come to realise. Regards, Cy Joseph

Thanks for posting your very useful and informative video. I especially like your tips such as using calipers to score the wood.

I appreciate your video. Also appreciate the organization of your shop.

I don't even do carpentry or have any tools apart from a screw driver set. So why are these videos so damn interesting?

Thanks. You just save me a lot of time building something I only thought I needed lol

Nice thoughts on the drill press table. I don't have space for a drill press right now, so I just use a stand for my hand drill that is acceptable. It's true what you say about the forces involved while drilling, often involving a nice amount of pressure. I will eventually get a drill press and then I'll see if I really want a table for it or not. Thanks for the advice.

Thank you for pointing out the load difference from a drill press to a hand drill. I'm not really looking to substitute a drill press with a hand drill, but it would be nice to have a jig so I can drill more steadily and precisely than using free hand

Thanks! I have many of the same misgivings about a drill press table having gotten the bug to build one lately. I was thinking of making one that easily removes but then it seems like just one more step. Also I though i would make one that had a C channel so i could mount metal vice on top of it when drilling metal but it just seems like a lot of fuss when i can already clamp that vice to metal table that came with press. So yea, for using drill press for wood, i use a board also. A few more worthwhile additions i have seen are converting a cheap electronic caliper into a depth gauge and maybe a drill bit holder that mounts to column. Thanks-you saved me a bunch of work!

Dear Matthias, I did go ahead and make a drill press table complete with t slots and a rear sliding fence. Beneath the drill centre landing position I routed out a 6” circular hole to the depth of a piece of chipboard and made several circular inserts. These get messed up over time but can rotate in use to spread the wear but continue to stop tear-out on the underside. When they are totally cacked up you can throw them away and slip in a new one. The best part of using this is when drilling small parts I can fix it on the rear fence and with a sliding compression arm. I don’t need to hold it with my fingers and therefore don’t risk getting a finger injury should the bit bind the piece and start spinning madly. I recently adjusted the level on my table to accommodate a sloped hole with a morticing bit and decided I really don’t want to do that again. I want to make a table that can be tilted, leaving the table flat. I think that would be very useful from time to time. Much better than holding a portable drill at the approximate angle and hoping for the best.

I am thankful for your logic and reason. I get a lot out of your videos.

Possibly the reason your small drill bit had runout, in the past, I have seen the size stamped on the drill. I have filed off the high spots and it seems to help. Love your video's.

Excellent video, right to the point and well presented!

Very good video! Thanks for the pointers too!

I got my drill press 2 year ago I remember myself so exited that by the time it arrived I already got a really big table for it, never used it without until today, never again, no more tables for me thank you for making me enjoy using my drill press again

I think that the entire video can be summed up by examining the closing statement; "because it my opinion having some big table will handicap you more than will actually help you". The points raised throughout are good considerations, however it is all down to personal working practices. Some procedures are far more repeatable through the use of jigs, fences and stops which simply cannot be done practically with a small table. A better way of looking at this would be how to easily mount/dismount a larger table to the smaller one to take best advantage from a wider range of options. To add my own closing statement, "limiting yourself to either a small or a large working table will handicap your creative working options more than it will help you".

I have never seen that part of your shop before! I love it! :)

Thanks Matthias an alternative view is always worth considering. I've just become the owner of a drill press so I'll try your method.

I built one with a quick release mechanism so that I can easily remove it for the other circumstances. It has a simple sliding dovetail for he sacrificial inserts and I made a huge batch of them on the router table so it's not a hassle. I get the point though. I do remove the table sometimes.

i like how you got your wall setup behind you

Great thoughts! I was about to make one of those huge tops until I stumbled across this. I'm rethinking now. 😎🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦

Well said Matthias Wandel . I use clamps and a piece of scrap when i need a fence. I also agree with Jay Bates , it depends on the type of work you do and your preference.

Thanks for the video, especially your tip about making a cross then punching with an awl.

I was thinking for the best thing to do--you have helped to solidify my decision. I'll get a press instead of making one...the press or a table. =) Thanks.

You sir are organized, I’m 66 but when I grow up I want to be like you someday, thanks!

I totally agree with you, I too don't see the point in a drill press table but I know loads of woodworkers have them. Regards

Good God this was a good video. I will be subscribing. Just got my new Christmas drill press today (still in the box). Look forward to more videos. Thank you!

Subscribed! Thank you for taking your time to make these videos. So much information!

I didn't use a drillpress table all my life (i'm 58), mainly because it could get in the way for certain processes, but then i maade one, but it doesn't bolt to the table, the underside of the table has 3 strips of wood that are an 'interference fit' around the main table, this means i can slide it on and off as and when i need to, I often drill metal, and even though i grip the metal firmly, it can sometimes catch and spin around, the table fence helps to stop that. maybe build a small table in the same way and give it a try, i made my first from scraps to see what the advantages were, and soon made a better one.

good tips, makes a lot of practical sense. thank you.

Matthias will you someday make a dust collector for your drill press

Good explanation. I don't use one either but I could see the value of having one that maybe just slid on to the iron table.

Well said. Totally agreed your opinion. Combining rather simple things makes things fit into more variable situations. All-in-one package actually does not do all kind of things not so well as advertised.

Great video... you are right. keep it flexible, you never know what setup is going to be....

I would love to learn how you did that outside curve on the joined pieces of wood you used in the video

I was about to make a fancy drill press table but after seeing your vid., I will use what I have which is similar to what you have. Thanks.

You made some good points. Some I agree with, some not. Thank you for sharing. Have a great day and stay safe.🙂🙂

I have a big low rpm drill that I use with a tenon cutter and forstner bits for building log furniture at my cabin and for holes I could easily drill at home on my drill press I need to position myself to use most of my body weight to drive the drill down.

I've been using my drill press with no table atached to it, because this have been making things easier to me in the many kinds of holes I need to make, but I hadn't theorized like this before...

some great information. I'm currently thinking of buying a drill press as a do a lot of repetitive drilling and using a drill press with a stock & stop would save me having to mark out each hole individually as I'm currently doing.

Back in the basement, eh? Thanks for the wisdom. I just picked up a drill press and had been contemplating a table. I really don't like lots of impediments while I work or play and didn't anticipate what you've highlighted here.

Was looking at drill press tables... Key word, was. Great little video, thanks!

I agree wholeheartedly! P.s. I love the tool wall you have set up behind you.

Pipe organ builders usually have at least three and often five or six drill presses of varying sizes and types. Typically with a long thick poplar or pine board screwed down on them to support long pieces of work. In the middle a large standard size rectangular rebate for replaceable insert blocks made of the same stuff. Every now and then the bench guys would get me to mill a whole bunch of them. Easy, quick. No shop is complete without a drill press. I could not manage without one, so many uses.

You are a living legend in the woodshop.

I agree, ever since I installed a table few years ago, I have used the drill press less and less. too much hassle taking it off for different jobs as you mentioned.

When you put the scale on the table my immediate thought was "oh no, I won't be able to understand the force without having to look it up" but then you said it in kg! Instant subscribe (Y)

Great videos and really appreciate them.

I agree with you completely. I use my drill press very similar to the way you do.

I also use a board on top of my drill press table. But I don’t plane my board down. I mix up some bondo and fill the holes, sand it smooth if necessary and keep going. Eventually the board needs to be replaced.

I once worked in a commercial shop where we'd run batches that could be a few parts or a few thousand. Things had to be right and there was no time to mess around with half-baked methods....and we did it exactly the way you show. We used this general idea in many places in the shop. There was one exception-the runout on our press was small enough that we could clamp a fence the table and a stop on the fence. We'd have fixed or tossed the machine if that wasn't possible, but that was our needs, not yours.

You just verified my own typical methods, and saved me a needless investment, driven only by an unwarranted desire for 'neatness' - heh. Thank you for the morale boost. And if it makes you feel more chipper, my two drill presses are smaller than yours!

I wish some people stop taking your methods so personal if it goes against theirs . I for one use some of your methods and overlook others because of their complex makeup. I do enjoy how you view things because you look at things "outside the box". Keep up the good vid's.

I had no idea with something as commonly used as a Forstner bit there was that much weight involved. Thank you.

Totally agree... KISS. Love the caliper scoring trick!

Completely agree, very good explanation.

I like your tool bench and wall mount. You should do a video on how to build one.

I was too much of a novice and socially awkward student when I met Matthias, but he's the most similar to me in terms of pragmatic methodology, and I wish I could go back and thank him retroactively, lol. He kind of reminds me of my dad, too. Engineers, man!

A very concise KISS concept. THanks

So I need to copy your tool organized wall. It looks so awesome

He is genius....this guys needs a book deal.

This is what wisdom looks like. Good premises, good logic.

Your so RIGHT! Why complicate what has already been simplified?

Wholeheartedly agree. Great video.