How are Drill Presses Measured?

In this article, I’ll teach you how drill presses are measured.

Using an improper drill press can undermine your work in many ways, so you must know what sizing is best before starting a project.

Quick Summary: To measure your drill press before use:

• Measure the throat size, which will provide you with the drill press dimensions
• Chuck measurement
• Complete measurement

I will go into more detail below.

Critical Requirements when Measuring Drill Presses

Measuring a drill press is not difficult if you follow the correct procedure and understand the requirements.

It is critical to understand that various types of drill presses are available on the market. As a result, different specifications are required to measure various drill presses.

Aside from different drill press sizes and types, the chuck size and mechanical requirements must also be considered when measuring a drill press. You can use a measuring tape to determine the size and function of each component.

Another critical factor is the distance between the chuck and the work table. 

Step-by-Step Procedure to Measure a Drill Press

Step 1: Determine the Machine’s Size

Determining its throat size is the most important step in measuring a drill press. First, measure the throat size, providing you with the drill press dimensions.

This size of the machine is obtained from a throat measurement. The throat is the space between the spindle’s center and the nearest point of the support column. 

The drill press swing measures the throat – the distance between the spindle focus and the adjacent support system. The machine is twice the size of the swing. A 12” drill press has a swing of 6″.

Step 2: Chuck Measurement

Now, determine the chuck’s size. Once you’ve measured it, you can slightly increase the chuck amount. The chuck size shows the widest bit that could be inserted into the chuck.  Most chuck sizes are 1/2″ or 5/8″.

Use Vernier calipers, as seen below.

Step 3: Determine the Vertical Capacity

The distance between a chuck and a table is the vertical capacity of your machine. It defines how long the drill bit can be and how tall the substance it drills can be.

Wrapping Up

Both experts and beginners must understand how drill presses are measured. Once you know your measurements, you can accomplish much more. After you learn this process, your overall result will drastically improve.

Video References

BABA BUILDER

Drill Gal

AutoDrill