What bench drill

I have a Startrite bench drill. Bought around 30 years ago second hand. This was back in the days when I only had a lathe and an off hand grinder as my onlt machines. Later I acquired a Myford VMC mill which has a quill so can do duty as a drilling machine. If I had the mill first I probably would not have bought the drill or at least bought a smaller drill with a higher spindle speed and only used it for small holes say up to 1/4" or so. The Startrite takes up quite a lot of bench space. I do have quite a large workshop but for now it's having to house the woodworking machines too (table saw and planer thicknesser) as well as a lot of wood. New woodworking shop is on the horizon which will clear space so I'm holding on to the drill untill then.

regards Martin

When I had a pillar drill it was a cheap Chinese import - I think this particular one came from B&Q, but they are all quite similar.
I cured the quill slip by pulling the drill to pieces and then, after drilling a hole in the front casting about halfway up, slitting the casting. After bolting on a couple of bits of 1” angle to the sides I made a bolt with a handle so I could “squeeze” the slit.

Made the quill adjustable from “locked” to rattling fit - and so vastly improved the drill.

Then I got a proper sized Mill, with a huge quill and haven’t used a pillar drill since...

Dave

Pleased to discover the Clarke CDP302 through this thread and to find it recommended.

I am looking to replace the very modest Draper bench drill that has served so well for 25 years or so, and upgrade to something larger and this Clarke model seems to beat others from different brands on several poibnts at a lower price.

I'd be glad to hear that these bench drills are lasting well in use.

Pete.