Electronic speed control and torque setting for close control over how deep and how fast the drill goes. Between variable speed and the depth stop, your drilled holes should have the accuracy worthy of your project. What you really need

I like the simple but practical parallel bar which is easy to move and has a flat upright which means you can clamp to it in addition to using the hold down clamp. The Bosch PBD 40 Bench Drill is by far one of the best pillar drills we have seen for use in a workshop and is ahead of its time in terms of technology, features and performance. It has the usual high quality associated with Bosch products, and premium features not often found on home pillar drills. Make use of the electronic speed control, the laser guide, and the two speeds to drill holes accurately and efficiently with the 750W motor. As always, with Bosch products, this quality and functionality comes at a premium price. Our Best Pillar Drill review looks at a range of pillar drills, from models for starting DIYers through to drills for serious hobbyists and professionals. We list the pros and cons of each model and discuss their features. Our Buyer’s Guide highlights the issues to consider before making the leap and purchasing your pillar drill. This pillar drill has an optimum drill stroke of 90mm which is actually 40mm more than some of the cheaper models on the market. Its maximum drilling diameter is 40mm in wood and 13mm in steel. The drilling depth is highly accurate thanks to the digital display, which means no more old-fashioned depth stop. You easily set and confirm how deep you want to go before activating the drilling process. The finish is inferior to the Bosch, with exposed springs and a basic three-spoke handle for raising and lowering the motor. Yet, considering that the Clarke costs around one-third as much as the Bosch, its aesthetic shortcomings are more forgivable.

The tiltable table moves 45°C left or right and has a depth stop to help you drill the holes as you want to. Do you get upset when you’re drilling holes in your beautifully cut piece of DIY and your hand wobbles, making a hole go all askew? A pillar drill (aka a drill press) takes all the irritation and guesswork out of drilling holes in wood, metal and plastic. Replace your hand drill with a bench-mounted drill sitting atop a column on a steady base. There’s nothing to wobble and you control the depth of the hole, its angle, and how fast the drill bit goes through the material. It’s almost too easy to drill perfect holes with a pillar drill. Another important factor to consider is longevity. When you buy a high-quality BOSCH PBD 40 Bench Drill, you’re making an investment that is likely to last longer. Cheaper products may seem like a good deal at the time, but they are often made with lower-quality materials and are not designed to last as long. This means that you may end up having to replace your device sooner, which can end up costing you more in the long run.

This machine has been designed with ease of use in mind. Bosch has done a fantastic job at making it as easy as possible to set up and use with simple controls and an easy-to-read display. The new PBD 40 Bench Drill from Bosch is the perfect solution for the DIY enthusiast looking for maximum precision coupled with complete ease of use. A bad workman blames his tools, and pillar drills tend to get blamed for holes that aren’t perfectly perpendicular. Common causes include; workpieces not being clamped in place tightly enough, drill bits inserted at a slight angle, and even the quality of the drill bit itself.We recommend buying premium drill bits as they tend to fit better and last longer. As far as accuracy is concerned, it seems fine for my purposes such as using forstner bits to mount hinges on cabinet doors. The PBD 40 oozes quality, from its polished table to the dimpled three-spoke wheel used to adjust the motor’s height.

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The Sealey GDM120B Pillar Drill Bench is a serious pillar drill that is perfect for lighter industrial, agricultural, and woodworking applications. This heavyweight unit has a 350 Watt motor with an input power of 550 Watts. This is the motor performance level that the industry uses for smaller units like this one. The Einhell feels reassuringly solid, but it’s hard to justify its scale-shattering weight in use. The base is sturdy, and the handles don’t feel flimsy, but its performance statistics aren’t that far above the Bosch. The Clarke CDP5RB 5 Speed Bench Mounted Pillar Drill is an impressive piece of kit, perfect for the DIY enthusiast and hobbyist. The bright red colour catches your eye at first. This pillar drill has top-of-the-line features and high build quality. The model is powered by a powerful 350 watt motor that offers consistent energy as you drill through materials with ease. The reason I gave it a lower value for money is that it is quite noisy and I would have thought for the money this could be better.