Expert: Jamie Yocono - 12/1/2008

Question
Hi,
I own a Sears Craftsman 20" drill press (I believe it's the biggest one they sell).  Currently the cast iron table supports a cross-slide with a vise mounted on it; combined weight is about 60 lbs.  I would like to add an 8" rotary plate to the vise and cross-slide; this would add another 50 lbs, making the total load on the table around 110 lbs.  Do you think the table can safely carry this permanent load?  Stability is not an issue, because the whole thing is bolted into the concrete floor.  Thanks for considering this unusual question.
Bob

Answer
Bob,

That's a good question, and one I can't definitively answer. But - in the past, when I've used drill presses that have extra items bolted to the table, it's put a strain on the lift mechanism that lifts and locks the table in place. I've even worked with a few drill presses that the lock/lift mechanism has failed due to the extra weight.

So my biggest concern for you would be the failure of this, more than anything else. I know this is a rather cheesy way of solving it, but if you add the extra weight, what about adding an additional support from below, like one of those "third hands"? Here's a link, I use these devices all over the place in my woodshop: http://www.fastcap.com/products.aspx?id=362  

The "third hand" would just act as an additional brace, in the event of slippage or failure.

Another idea would be to add a split collar (that you bolt into place) on the main column, under where the table slides on the column. Once again, this is just for a little added protection.

I was once teaching in a rented woodshop, and the drill press lift mechanism was broken. When one of my students (a pregnant woman) unlocked the table so she could raise it, the whole table slipped down the column, hitting her in the stomach. Thank god she had quick reflexes, and nothing ever resulted from it, but it was scary. Imagine how fast your table could plummet to the floor, with all that weight on it. And imagine if it hit you in the knee or gut. Ouch.

Since it's bolted to the floor, there's no worry of it tipping. So my only reservation is about the lift/locking mechanism failing. If you add some protection to ensure it can't fail, I think you'd be OK to add the additional weight.

Last thing - I've called Sears' technical support for help from time to time. It's sort of hit or miss, but if you get someone with a brain on the phone, they might even have a device made just for your need. Who knows?

Good luck,

Jamie Yocono
Wood It Is! Custom Cabinetry
Las Vegas, NV
www.wooditis.blogspot.com