Make It - Drill Press Table

The drill press is one of the most valuable tools you can have in your shop; They're also a tremendous waste of space! I combat that a little bit in this video by building an integrated storage unit / table for my drill press.

Plans are available on my website store.

Step 1: Assemble the Carcass

Start by ripping down the pieces that make up the Carcass. Assemble the pieces by gluing all joints and brad nailing or screwing them together. The glue does the work, the nails and screw just hold it together until it dries. If screwing or nailing is not an option, you can clamp the pieces together and wait for the glue to dry before moving on. Once the Carcass was fully assembled and dried, I test fit it on the drill press and glues the top down.

The white table top that I used wasn't my first choice, but I already had it so decided to use it. It's not a bad system, but I think a solid piece of plywood with a replaceable waste block would be much more useful in my shop. I never use the fence system and it's just constantly in the way. If I didn't have that top, I would have glued two pieces of 1/2" plywood together to form a 1" thick top.

Step 2: Backing Plate and Mounting the Table

After ripping down a sheet of 1/8" hardboard, I trace the cut lines directly from the Carcass onto the board and cut it at the band saw. Once that is glued and nailed onto the back of the Carcass, I mount the Table assembly to the drill press with screws and simple scrapwood washers

Step 3: Build the Drawers and You're Done!

I assemble the drawers out of 1/2" prefinished plywood with 1/4" plywood bottoms. The four corner joints are simple rabbet joints and the bottoms panels sit in a 1/4" groove. I prefer this method for drawer construction because it hides the grooves for a really clean look. Since the bottom panels are plywood and very stable, I can glue everything so they are incredibly strong.

I turned my own drawer handles on the lathe, but you can use whatever you'd like for handles.

Once the drawers are finished, I install the drawers into the table assembly with a little wax to help them slide

Comments

[Franklin Studio]

Wow! Not only a great idea and really nicely made, but the video should get an award too! I'm gonna make one. Thanks

[GarlicCharge]

This is brilliant! I have been thinking about making one for ages. I really like the drawers! I'm going to have to incorporate that into mine!
A tip I saw on another design was to offset the waste insert block so that you could rotate it in the hole and get more use out of the same piece before wasting it. Brilliant design anyway!

[dpmakestuff]

Thanks very much! The waste block is offset slightly so I can rotate, flip and then rotate again to get 4 fresh surfaces. Don't forget to vote if you feel so inclined!

[davethewoodworker]

nice. I was thinking about making one, love your design. Will make one similar.

[dpmakestuff]

Thanks for watching! Don't forget to vote if you feel so inclined!

[Ninzerbean]

OMG, that was just fantastic. Thank you for sharing.

[dpmakestuff]

Thank you for watching and voting!

[smithdvs]

How about some dimensions and a parts list?

[mlowinske]

Parts list is on youtube if you watch the video there. No dimensions given, but anyone with a decent amount of woodworking experience ought to be able to guesstimate (if they wanted this exact size) or be able to design it to their desired size.

[dpmakestuff]

Yup, basically. I also sell plans on my website for a few dollars that helps me to create more projects. My plans are usually modified so the end product is even better than the one I have.

[dpmakestuff]

On my website, linked through the video.

[СергейC1]

Super, super, super GOOD...

[dpmakestuff]

Thanks!

[Yonatan24]

Nice! Jay Bates puts his Bench Grinder under his Drill-Press, but I think that these drawers are great! I think I'll make something like that if I ever find a bigger Drill-Press.

Thanks for sharing!

[seamster]

Nice!

You got that right about drill presses wasting space. I love mine when I need it, but the rest of the time it's in the way! : |

[dpmakestuff]

Thanks! I love my drill press a lot more now!

[Malkaris]

I covet your workshop!

Does it obstruct your access to the crank to raise and lower the table?

[dpmakestuff]

Thanks! No it works the same. It might be a little tougher to raise it, but i don't notice it. I also have a lot of room to reach over and rotate the handle and if I didn't, the entire table pivots to the left or right so the handle could in theory be right at the front of the press.