Pillar drill buying guide

Once considered a purely professional tool, the pillar drill is now an essential workshop addition for anyone looking to drill wood or metal with precision. Useful for artisans and DIYers alike, pillar drills come in various different types including benchtop or floor-standing machines and magnetic or radial models.

Benchtop pillar drill

These models are compact and can be easily fixed in place on a table or bench. They are easy to use and don't take up a lot of space. This type of machine is therefore suitable for woodworkers and DIYers working in relatively small spaces.

Floor-standing pillar drill

Also known simply as 'floor drills', these models are best suited to professionals or skilled at-home workers who have a workshop big enough to accommodate a larger machine. These powerful tools offer a great drilling depth and are fixed in position on the ground.

Radial pillar drill

The design of the radial drill is fairly close to that of a benchtop model. The main difference is that these models allow you to adjust the distance between the chuck and the column (known as the 'throat depth'). Radial drills are also suitable for drilling far from the edge of a workpiece.

Magnetic drill 

These portable models are great for moving around a job site and are designed to be used on top of metal structures. Also known as Mag drills, these drills are equipped with a magnet base used to secure them to flat metal surfaces. They can be used for both drilling and milling. A drillstand can be a cost-effective solution if you already have a high-quality drill. However, you will not get the same level of accuracy as you would with a pillar drill. As such, this option is only really viable for occasional use or if you cannot achieve the required level of precision with a handheld drill alone.

Now let's dig a little deeper into the main features of a pillar drill. The key characteristics to pay attention to are as follows:

Drilling depth

• The drilling depth of a pillar drill is determined by the capacity of the spindle to lower the chuck and really depends on the length of your drill bits. 

Power rating and single or three-phase power

• The amount of power you require will depend on the size of the holes and the types of materials you want to drill. Go for more power if you plan on using your drill for extended periods of time. And remember: a hole saw bit will require a lot more power!

Chuck and speed range

• The chuck capacity determines the diameter of the drill bits and accessories you can use. A morse taper spindle will provide added flexibility in terms of the tools you can attach.

Settings and accuracy 

• Ease of adjustments: It's important to consider how easy it is to change the settings on your pillar drill if you plan on using the machine on a regular basis. It's always more efficient to go for a machine with a keyless chuck to avoid the hassle of screwing and unscrewing (and let's face it: you will probably end up mislaying the key). Your stops must also be easy to tighten.

Your drill vice must be suited to the kind of workpiece you want to secure:

• A bench clamp is lighter and therefore easier to handle, but is not strong.

• A bench vice is more heavy-duty and is suitable for large-scale and regular drilling tasks.

No matter which model you go for, pay close attention to the length and throat depth of the jaws which determine how wide the vice can open.

The chuck is the system that secures your drill bits and is the part you will handle most often. A keyed chuck is more problematic to use as it is trickier to tighten. This system is gradually being replaced by quick-action keyless chucks which are easy to use and more efficient at securing drill bits.

Keyless chucks

Keyless chucks come in two varieties:

• Nylon outer sleeve - more fragile;

• Metal outer sleeve - stronger and more hardwearing.

For starters, you will need high-quality drill bits which must be kept sharp; consider using a drill bit sharpener and be sure to always drill using the right speed settings. You'll also have to sharpen up in terms of safety precautions:

• a chuck cover must be installed on every pillar drill;

• you may require additional lighting;

• wear the correct protective gloves and goggles and do not attempt to remove any chippings while drilling;

• be sure to secure your workpiece to the bench using a drill vice or clamp to avoid the risk of any movement;

• if you need to drill tiles or glass, choose the right drill bits and drill using a little water. 

Bear in mind that a pillar drill can be a great choice for any DIYer, but if you are planning on using your drill on a regular basis, do make sure to invest in a high-quality, heavy-duty machine.

More information

• How to drill into walls

• How to drill through glass

• How to drill through tile

• Drill bits buying guide

• Head and ear protection buying guide