Is there a definitive pillar drill - new or used - that is better than the Bosch PBD40 for the same money?

[JPG]

Hi everyone,

I registered an account specifically to ask this question, because after days of research, I still can't figure out the answer. If anyone can help, I'd really appreciate it.

I'm looking at pillar drills at the moment, and for the price, the Bosch PBD40 seems to be the best value on the market right now. I'm just a hobbyist woodworker, mainly working on my own renovations in the house, so I never intend to have a pillar drill for anything more than light use. Mostly wood, but possibly some metals, too.

Whenever I see people asking about pillar drills, including this one, the advice is to by an older used pillar drill, but no advice is ever given beyond that. There's millions of old pillar drills on the market, but every time I research specific ones that pop up on Marketplace, etc, the reviews are always full of complaints about wobbling, accuracy, etc.. I'm yet to see a pillar drill review that doesn't have a laundry list of dealbreakers from my perspective.

So what I want to ask is what's in the title. Is the PBD40 worth buying (I plan to modify the wheel and put lever arms on it), or is there another brand for the same money I should get instead? I don't mind spending a fraction etra if it's worth it. Similarly, is there a used model of something I should keep on the lookout for that will likely be in this price range?

Thanks in advance!

 

[deema]

I’d be looking for a Startrite Mercury or a Meddings, both secondhand.

 

[Jameshow]

Also look a Korean Naerok drills quality yet not stupidly expensive not massively heavy but a step up from Chinese made stuff.

 

[Jameshow]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/20479656...tixoXeJTeO&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Korean or Taiwanese is usually fine, steer clear of low end Chinese.

 

[MintSauce]

Hi everyone,

I registered an account specifically to ask this question, because after days of research, I still can't figure out the answer. If anyone can help, I'd really appreciate it.

I'm looking at pillar drills at the moment, and for the price, the Bosch PBD40 seems to be the best value on the market right now. I'm just a hobbyist woodworker, mainly working on my own renovations in the house, so I never intend to have a pillar drill for anything more than light use. Mostly wood, but possibly some metals, too.

Whenever I see people asking about pillar drills, including this one, the advice is to by an older used pillar drill, but no advice is ever given beyond that. There's millions of old pillar drills on the market, but every time I research specific ones that pop up on Marketplace, etc, the reviews are always full of complaints about wobbling, accuracy, etc.. I'm yet to see a pillar drill review that doesn't have a laundry list of dealbreakers from my perspective.

So what I want to ask is what's in the title. Is the PBD40 worth buying (I plan to modify the wheel and put lever arms on it), or is there another brand for the same money I should get instead? I don't mind spending a fraction etra if it's worth it. Similarly, is there a used model of something I should keep on the lookout for that will likely be in this price range?

Thanks in advance!

Hi - I have a PBD40 and I am happy with it. I feel it’s somewhat irrelevant comparing it to an old Meddings type drills as with the PBD40 you can pick it up easily to move it to where you want to work and it’s easy to store away whereas an older drill will be heavy and you may need to be kept in a fixed location (unless you want a hernia from moving it around).

I have no beef with older machines and would have one if I had a dedicated workshop - it’s ‘horses for courses’ - there is no definitive answer.

 

[Sideways]

Crack on and buy it.
There are numerous weaknesses with the drill, mostly to do with the light weight build. The column is a bit of commodity pipe, the injection mouldings are soft aluminium at best, etc etc.
But. It has a powerful motor as small pillar drills go and that compensates for the fact that it is relying on electronics to vary the speed by a factor of 4 to 1.
It may well be that that 750W motor is as useful as a one third horsepower AC motor that you might find on a small conventional bench drill and easier to vary speeds than moving the belt on most drills.

There are far better drills out there that will last lifetimes longer, but the good vintage ones are getting thinner on the ground. As a "hobbyist woodworker" who only intends to do light work, leave the good old machines for the folk who appreciate them and will put them to good use.

 

[TRITON]

Crack on and buy it..

 

[Jake]

I’d be looking for a Startrite Mercury or a Meddings, both secondhand.

It used to be the case on here that the former had a bad reputation (bad bearings or run out, something like that, can't recall precisely) - was that just a wave of undeserved reputation? No experience of them myself so not doubting your mechanical expertise - hardly in a place to - but interesting how opinions change over time at the anecdotal level.

 

[johnnyb]

I brought a rexon from b and q for half price £100 many years ago. It's a super drill well made with little run out. Speed change is annoying though

 

[deema]

It used to be the case on here that the former had a bad reputation (bad bearings or run out, something like that, can't recall precisely) - was that just a wave of undeserved reputation? No experience of them myself so not doubting your mechanical expertise - hardly in a place to - but interesting how opinions change over time at the anecdotal level.

There are used and abused machines, so when buying just check the run out. As long as the quill isn’t bent, bearings are easy to replace and just a consumable item.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

I brought a rexon from b and q for half price £100 many years ago. It's a super drill well made with little run out. Speed change is annoying though

I have a Rexon morticer - I wouldn't knock their stuff.

 

[johnnyb]

I seem to recall this was initially what the factory specialised in (pillar drills)
There are rubbish Chinese drills out there though.

 

[Newbie_Neil]

Hi everyone,

I registered an account specifically to ask this question, because after days of research, I still can't figure out the answer. If anyone can help, I'd really appreciate it.

I'm looking at pillar drills at the moment, and for the price, the Bosch PBD40 seems to be the best value on the market right now. I'm just a hobbyist woodworker, mainly working on my own renovations in the house, so I never intend to have a pillar drill for anything more than light use. Mostly wood, but possibly some metals, too.

Whenever I see people asking about pillar drills, including this one, the advice is to by an older used pillar drill, but no advice is ever given beyond that. There's millions of old pillar drills on the market, but every time I research specific ones that pop up on Marketplace, etc, the reviews are always full of complaints about wobbling, accuracy, etc.. I'm yet to see a pillar drill review that doesn't have a laundry list of dealbreakers from my perspective.

So what I want to ask is what's in the title. Is the PBD40 worth buying (I plan to modify the wheel and put lever arms on it), or is there another brand for the same money I should get instead? I don't mind spending a fraction etra if it's worth it. Similarly, is there a used model of something I should keep on the lookout for that will likely be in this price range?

Thanks in advance!

JPG, if you decide to buy the Bosch and can wait a few weeks, then buy one in the Amazon Black Friday sale. IIRC,I saved 60-70 pounds last year when I bought one. Apparently, it gets reduced every Black Friday.

 

[Distinterior]

I have a Startrite Mercury Mk 3 bench mounted drill that I bought on Gumtree a few years back for £125.......No discernable runout and absolutely minimal Arc of Shame. .....Ive been more than happy with mine......I did add a NVR switch in line to the motor though.

A good mate of mine picked up a Mercury Mk 2 floor standing model a couple of years later, in even better condition for £150........Both machines were purchased locally.

Mine is used for both wood & light metalworking, my mates is used just for metalworking.

The only problem I have had with mine was lifting it on my own out of my van and then picking it up again to place it on my bench.... .....Very Heavy!

 

[PerryGunn]

I have the PBD40 and, after a couple of mods, I'm very happy with it

- I didn't like the wheel so replaced it with a 3-spoker

- I was never happy with the chuck accuracy and mine wasn't very good at remaining tightly closed. So I replaced it with a Röhm Supra which is much better.

 

[Ollie78]

Fobco star or Meddings.

 

[akirk]

The ability on the PBD40 to digitally measure how far you have drilled is superb and something I use all the time - yes it has limitations but I replaced a pillar drill with it and have no regrets

 

[Norman Boyes]

Go for the PBD40. It is a good solution for a hobbyist.

 

[Nick c]

I have the PBD40 and, after a couple of mods, I'm very happy with it

- I didn't like the wheel so replaced it with a 3-spoker

- I was never happy with the chuck accuracy and mine wasn't very good at remaining tightly closed. So I replaced it with a Röhm Supra which is much better.

Which Rohm Supra chuck did you get.l have a Bosch PD40 and was thinking of replacing the chuck.Did you have much difficulty getting the original chuck off.