Drill presses are designed for working with metal, not wood, but you can adapt them with this dedicated woodworking drill press table, complete with dadoes, plastic laminate and T-tracks.
Here’s an overview of the construction process. Glue 1-in. oversized particleboard panels together, then cut them to size on the table saw. Edge-band both sides of the table, then belt-sand the top so the hardwood is flush with the surfaces. Cut the laminate squares 1 in. oversize and apply them with contact cement. Then rout the laminate squares flush with a flush-trim bit and chamfer them with a 45-degree bit. Rout out the 1/2-in.-deep recess for the throat plate.
Cut the 3/4-in.-wide dadoes on the table saw. Cut the clearance hole on the fence with a 2-1/2-in. hole saw on the drill press. Screw the fence together before applying the laminate, then rout that as you did with the tabletop.
Lag screws (1-1/2 x 5/16 in.) and washers work great for securing your new top to the existing drill press table. The instructions with the T-track will tell you the rest.
A Fence: A semicircular clearance hole for the chuck allows for drilling holes that are close to the fence.
B Throat plate: An inset 1/2-in. replaceable throat plate takes the abuse so the top won’t have to.
C T-tracks: are universally useful gizmos that allow you to endlessly adjust jigs, fences and hold-downs. On this table, they’re used for a sliding fence and hold-downs.
D Laminate: Plastic laminate on both the top and bottom will keep the top from warping with humidity changes.
E Edging: A hardwood edge protects the rather delicate core from getting dinged up—plus, it’s pretty.
Materials List
Table: Two 2-ft. squares of particleboard. (You can get 2x2s at most home centers or have them cut from full sheets.)
Edge band: 8 lin. ft. of 1x2 hardwood.
Fence: 6 lin. ft. of 1x3 hardwood.
Laminate: Buy the smallest size sheet that’ll give you two 20 x 30-in. pieces at the home center for anywhere between $20 and $50.
T-Track parts: You’ll need two each of these: 24-in. tracks, hold-down clamps, knobs and 2-1/2-in. T-Slot bolts. (These parts cost a total of about $50 and are available at woodworking stores or online.)
