Drill Press Speeds

Introduction

Drill presses are one of the most common shop tools. Chances are if there is only a single stationary tool at your workplace, shed or garage it is a drill press. I'm also willing to bet that the speed on it has probably never been changed. Picking the right speed will not only extend the life of the motor and bits, but also make quicker cleaner cuts in whatever material you are drilling into.

Ways to Change the Speed

Every drill press is different but there's some common ways that speed is controlled. The simplest method found is a simple adjustment knob on the front or the side. If you're lucky it will indicate the exact speed in RPM instead of just and arrow showing slow and fast. 

Another method is a digital speed control with push buttons that digitally display the speed. Next closely related and sometimes the same method is a VFD. On the VFD itself, there are a number of different ways speed could be controlled depending on how it was programmed. You'll find instructions often in the panel of the VFD.

Finally, and most annoying is having a series of pulleys and belts. You have to physically move the belt between the different sized pulleys to get the speed you desire. The easiest way to tell the speed is by reading the manual and seeing which ratios equate to which speed. If your manual is unavailable, you can do some math. Measure the pulley diameter sizes and write down the values. They check the speed of the motor. Always take diameter of the pulley attached to the motor and divide it by the other pulley. This value is then multiplied by your motors speed. The new value is your speed of the drill.

Now if that's too much math, find your manual. Download your manual. Call the manufacturer of the product and get those details. If that's all a bother, use a tachometer. If you're unfamiliar with the tool. It is used for measuring rotation speed. Some are non-contact and use a beam of light to measure the speed. Other use direct contact with the tool itself. The best are the combination ones that have both direct contact and light mode in one package. Get what's best for you. Unless your boss is buying, then get what's best for the property.

What speed to pick?

Picking the right speed depends on the type of material you're drilling, the thickness of material, the type of drill bit, if you're using a coolant or not, and how fast you're trying to get through said material. I personally keep a reference manual handy in my toolbox for just this situation. But don't worry, here's a site I use when out in the field when I find myself without my trusty manual.

INDUSTRIAL-DRILL-SPEED-GUIDE.pdf (siouxtools.com)

I encourage you to check out the rest of their site. They have some interesting training videos on their products that apply to most other tools within the category. 

Training Information - Sioux Tools