New Pillar Drill - Advice Requested Please

[The Shark]

Hi Guys,

I am in the market for a well-made, accurate pillar drill that I can convert to a very occasional morticer.

I've had a look at this one in the showroom, and it seems to fit the bill for me, at an affordable price:

http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-ax ... rod725428/

http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-mo ... prod22746/

http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-ti ... for=700282

I've contacted Axminster, and they do all go together.

I understand that dedicated machines are preferable, but I don't have the space or finances for both, and don't envisage creating that many mortice and tenon joints.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Malc

 

[Mezzanine Rob]

I have that very pillar drill and find that it is excellent and once set up very acurate.
My only word of caution would be that when I bought mine (2 years ago) it was noted in the catalogue that it was not suitable for the morticing attachment.
Now products are improved all the time at Axminster and things change, all I am saying is that it is worth double checking.

Regards
Rob

 

[OPJ]

Looks like a decent drill but, I've read mixed reviews on those mortising attachments, over they years... :? On eBay, you could probably pick up a cheap and very basic bench=top mortiser for peanuts, if you have the space and it's only for very occasional use.

If you do go for that drill or any other from Axminster with a 16mm chuck then, I'd advise you to also consider purchasing a pin chuck set, as these chucks won't otherwise hold bits smaller in diameter than 3mm. Keyless chucks are definitely the way to go!

 

[The Shark]

Hi, Rob and Olly,

Many thanks for the advice

I'm pretty happy with the drill, so think I will purchase one (with the pin chuck set), and hold fire on the mortice attachment to see if I ever actually need one, knowing I can buy one if needed in the future to fit the drill, or go down the ebay route :?:

Cheers,

Malc

 

[Davyboy]

Hi,

Using a morticing attachment on a pillar drill can be quite brutal & may damage the machine. I bought a cheap cross vice & mortise cutters & they do the job admirably, without any strain on the pillar drill. As the cross vice moves in two directions it is extremely accurate.

Davyboy.