Everything you need to know about benchtop drills

Benchtop drilling machines are characterized by compact dimensions, low weight and, as a result, high mobility. Despite their small size, these tools can perform all basic drilling operations, which is why they are ubiquitous in private workshops, as well as in small-scale production.

Bench-top drilling machines are functional and easy-to-use machines for processing metal workpieces. They have found their application in everyday life, in small and even large production workshops. Such tools are relevant for creating perforations, designing metric threads, countersinking and many other operations.

These units are suitable for working with metals and their alloys of a wide variety of types. In addition, they allow the formation of holes in plastic, wood and polymer products. Ergonomics, small dimensions and ease of use distinguish them from outdoor versions.

The advantages of benchtop drilling tools include:

• light weight, compactness and ergonomics, ensuring high mobility of equipment;
• the ability to work from a stationary power supply, due to which the units can be used in a wide variety of premises;
• simplicity of design, giving high work efficiency while applying low labor costs;
• versatility - in addition to drilling perforations, these machines allow you to perform many other operations in terms of metal processing.

According to their functional purpose, all bench-top drilling units can be divided into three large groups.

The special ones include automatic installations that can do strictly defined manipulations. Usually they are designed for the simultaneous formation of several holes in workpieces of a particular type.

Almost all Soviet, as well as later Russian units can be classified as specialized. By tradition, they are equipped with a large number of parts and mechanisms, which makes it possible to install them in large-scale, as well as in-line production.

Universal tools can perform all the manipulations associated with the formation of perforations, as well as any subsequent processing.

According to the nomenclature, such machines are divided into:

• radial drilling - these tools are stationary, as well as mobile, portable, some provide for swivel-type heads and other modifications;

• vertical drilling - there are light units (with a section within 13 mm), medium (15-55 mm), as well as heavy (up to 75 mm);

• horizontal drilling / centering.

Special type machines are produced for a narrow set of operations. Some are only able to perform one action. Most often, it is not possible to reconfigure them for some other manipulations with workpieces.

Individual bench-top drilling units are programmable. The marking of CNC machines provides for a set of characters - one or a pair of letters and one number, they provide information on the technical and operational characteristics of the equipment.

Non-CNC models are divided into:

• semiautomatic devices;

• automatic;

• automated;

• with manual or mechanical feed.

It should be noted that the mini-drilling equipment includes a significant number of fundamentally new modifications. In this group, you can designate:

• magnetic drilling tool;

• milling-turning-boring unit;

• multifunctional turning and milling boring;

• drilling and filler.

Despite the fact that nowadays there are many negative reviews about the technology of the times of the USSR, nevertheless, machine tool construction in the era of the USSR achieved significant heights. At that time, practical and functional equipment was produced. Moreover, this statement applies to all, without exception, the machine tool industry. That's why old machines from the times of the Soviet Union to this day faithfully serve tens of thousands of craftsmen in the CIS and even beyond its borders. This technique has an exceptional service life. Let's consider some of the most popular installations of the USSR times.

This legendary drilling machine was produced at a machine-building plant in Kirov. The drilling machine was popular in those years and continues to be in wide demand today. It is used for drilling parts and creating threads when working with a wide variety of metals.

The 2M112 is a truly versatile device. He processes not only metal products, but also wood, plastic and many other workpieces. Since its release in Soviet times, this machine has literally filled the shops of small and large factories, today they are found mainly in repair services and private workshops. It can also be found in large-scale production, but the physical obsolescence of the equipment limits its potential in the conditions of serial metalworking.

The design of this drilling machine is characterized by simplicity combined with high reliability. The device is easy to operate. The hole diameter is up to 12 mm, the maximum distance from the spindle end to the table surface is 400 mm. High power 550 W electric motor, this power is enough to provide the highest rotational speed within 4500 rpm. The engine is connected to a gearbox that allows you to select different speeds.

The dimensions of the machine are 790x375x950 mm, the weight of the structure is 125 kg. Of course, this is not a mobile unit, and it is not possible to transfer it from one production facility to another. At the same time, the structure is quite rigid, efficient and functional.

Machine with high rigidity, weight 90-120 kg. It can form holes with a cross section of up to 16 mm and withstands the most severe loads. Electric motor power 600 kW, working speed 1400 rpm - this is very good performance for small workshops, while the accuracy is 0.02 mm. In general, this unit is practical, reliable in operation and efficient. Today it is in demand at small manufacturing firms and in classrooms.

The installation was created specifically for punching holes in products made of non-ferrous alloys, as well as steel and cast iron. Can be used for non-metallic parts. The tool cannot be called powerful, it is designed for 180 W, such an engine was installed on washing machines in Soviet times. Suitable for home use.

The spindle is square, so the accuracy is low. But the table is movable, due to which the required drilling height of the workpiece is provided up to 70 mm.At the same time, the weight is about 50 kg, so the installation is more mobile than the others described above.

It can be argued that mini-machine tools of the Soviet era were characterized by an optimal combination of material strength, increased reliability and high efficiency. Almost all the tools were equipped with a powerful motor, the resource of which was enough to work with the most durable metals and their alloys. Soviet tools are strong, durable and at the same time maintainable. That is why industrial and household models, produced several decades ago, are still widespread in our time.

The modern industry offers many efficient benchtop drilling machines. They are all simple, safe and affordable.

German drilling machine based on an electronic stabilization unit. This design allows you to automatically vary the power of the working tool, adapting it to the loads while maintaining a given speed. This provides increased results without the risk of overloading the equipment.

There is a two-speed gearbox, which allows you to set increased power at the initial stage and good speed at the second. For maximum adaptation of the installation to the material, a quick-clamping device is provided for clamping workpieces of various shapes, including round ones.

The advantages of this mini-machine include the presence of a monitor on which data on the drilling depth is displayed. The display shows information about the point of entry of the drill into the workpiece and thus provides prompt results. There is an illumination of the working area of ​​the object - this is very convenient when manipulations are carried out in conditions of lack of illumination.

In general, this is the optimal model for a garage or small workshop. Machine weight 11 kg, rotation speed from 250 to 2500 rpm. Drill diameter for metal up to 13 mm, for wood - up to 40 mm. Power 710 W.

A powerful tool, supports the installation of drills with a diameter of up to 13 mm. Can be used for a wide variety of materials. The main advantage is the turntable, which can be aligned both horizontally and vertically. This allows workpieces to be machined in a wide variety of shapes. The set includes a vice for better fixing of workpieces.

There is a protective screen that completely excludes the ingress of chips on the master. This ensures maximum operational safety. The motor is asynchronous, there are electromagnetic switches with the possibility of their emergency shutdown. Dimensions 450x350x225 mm, equipment weight 16 kg.

One of the best budget DIY machines. The compact size allows the equipment to be placed on the table. The power is high, up to 550 W, due to this, it copes well with drilling holes in workpieces from various metals, wood and polymeric materials. Provides 9 operating speeds ranging from 500 to 2620 rpm. Supports drill diameters up to 16mm.

Of the distinctive characteristics, one can single out the ability to change the parameters of raising / lowering the desktop. A vice is provided at the base of the installation, with which you can fix a part of a non-standard shape. The cartridge is protected by a transparent shield. There is an emergency shutdown button, which, in the event of an abnormal situation, quickly stops the movement of the machine. Dimensions 400x490x260 mm, weight 18.5 kg.

And also on sale you can find Chinese machines. As a rule, their price is an order of magnitude more attractive than products of domestic and European manufacturers.

When choosing a benchtop drilling machine, you must pay attention to its basic technical characteristics.

Drilling diameter - usually tabletop equipment is intended to create small diameter perforations within 16 mm. More powerful models are used in industry.

Moving the quill - the characteristic sets the maximum drilling depth.

Spindle axis overhang - determines the distance between the stand and the drill axis. Typically, the higher the number, the further the operator has to stand from the edge of the workpiece. On average, it varies from 100 to 200 mm.

Power - one of the key selection criteria, the performance of the equipment depends on it. Household installations have a motor with a power of 300-500 W. This is quite enough for performing typical manipulations. For serial production, tools with a power of 700 W or more will be required, this will allow the equipment to be used in intensive mode for a long time.

Spindle speed range - for a tabletop drilling machine, this parameter ranges from 200 to 3000 revolutions. Professional machines can give up to 6-10 thousand rpm. The higher this characteristic, the easier it will be to choose the optimal operating mode for different types of materials.

Speed ​​control - can be smooth or stepped. Some models have a reverse function.

Mains voltage - when choosing a drilling machine for home use, it is necessary to take into account the fact that there are models with a connection to a typical 220 V network, as well as those designed for 380 V. Therefore, the machine should be selected taking into account the voltage available.

And they also highlight some options for carrying out the highest quality work on a drilling machine, namely: the ability to connect a vise stand, a mandrel and a set of drills.

Working on any drilling tool always carries the risk of injury. Therefore, special attention must be paid to the observance of safety precautions. A significant risk to the user can be posed by:

• electrically conductive parts;
• machine elements that move linearly or rotate during processing;

There are basic safety requirements when working on any drilling equipment.

• The use of exceptionally high-quality and technically sound tools.
• The use of the machine is strictly for its intended purpose.
• Quality control of the cutting base. It must be perfectly sharpened, taking into account the characteristics of the materials in which the perforation is to be made.
• During operation, the tool overheats, which leads to its rapid wear. To minimize premature failure, it is necessary to provide for cooling the machine using cool water or special solutions.

The creation of holes with a depth of more than 5 diameters of the working tool has its own subtleties. In this case, during the formation of the holes, the drills must be removed from time to time, and the unfinished hole must be freed from the chips accumulated in it. If this is not done, there is a high risk of jamming the drill.

In general, the principle of operation on small-sized drilling machines is not particularly difficult. Compliance with the basic rules will allow you to effectively use the machine to create high-quality perforations without the threat of injury. The main thing is to follow safety precautions, and regularly carry out professional maintenance.