A drill press is an essential tool for metalworking and woodworking shops. It allows you to drill holes accurately and precisely. One of the key specifications of a drill press is the swing. The swing refers to the maximum diameter workpiece that can fit under the drill press spindle and be drilled horizontally. So a 12 inch swing drill press means the drill press can handle workpieces up to 12 inches in diameter.
The swing capacity determines the size of workpieces the drill press can handle. A larger swing enables drilling bigger workpieces. Most benchtop drill presses have 8-12 inches of swing. Floor standing models can go up to 16 inches or more. Knowing the swing capacity is important when selecting the right size drill press for your needs.
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What is Swing in a Drill Press?
The swing or throat capacity refers to the maximum distance between the drill press spindle and drill press column. It determines the largest workpiece diameter that can fit under the drill press spindle and be drilled horizontally.
For example, a 12 inch swing drill press can drill a hole in the center of a 12 inch diameter circular workpiece when the workpiece is lying flat under the spindle. If the workpiece diameter is larger than 12 inches, it won’t fit under the spindle.
The swing is typically measured in inches. Common swing sizes for drill presses include:
– 8 inches
– 10 inches
– 12 inches
– 15 inches
– 16 inches
– 20 inches
Benchtop drill presses usually have 8-12 inches of swing capacity. Floor standing cabinet models have larger swing capacities of 16 inches or more. Radial arm drill presses can accommodate even bigger workpieces with swings over 20 inches.
Factors Affecting Swing
The maximum swing capacity depends on two main factors:
– The distance between the center of the spindle and the column/base. A wider base provides more space for larger diameter workpieces to fit under the spindle.
– The depth of the throat. The throat is the open vertical space underneath the spindle which the workpiece must fit into. A deeper throat can accept thicker workpieces for drilling horizontally.
Many drill presses increase swing capacity by having a C-shaped arm rather than a solid column. This creates an open throat area while maintaining rigidity.
Importance of Swing Capacity
The swing determines the maximum workpiece size that can be accommodated for centered drilling. Knowing the drill press swing capacity is important for several reasons:
Matching Workpiece Size
You need to select a drill press with adequate swing to handle the largest workpieces you plan to drill. The workpiece must fit completely under the spindle for horizontal drilling. Trying to drill a too large workpiece can be inaccurate and unsafe.
Drilling Off-Center
For drilling off-center holes, the workpiece often needs to be tilted. This requires some extra clearance underneath the spindle. A few extra inches of swing capacity gives more room for angled drilling.
Larger Table Size
A drill press with a larger swing will typically have a bigger table. This provides more support for the workpiece and allows clamping overhanging sections.
Added Capacity for Jigs
Drill press jigs and fixtures take up some of the available swing space. A couple extra inches gives flexibility if using jigs for specialized drilling operations.
Future Growth
Getting a drill press with more swing than you currently need allows room for growth. You won’t have to replace it as quickly if your workpieces increase in size over time.
Typical 12 Inch Swing Drill Press Specifications
Here are some common specifications for a 12 inch swing drill press:
– Swing over column: 12 inches
– Distance spindle to column: 17 inches
– Distance spindle to base: 24 inches
– Throat depth: 7 inches
– Chuck size: 3/4 inches or 1 inch
– Spindle taper: MT2 or JT33
– Drilling capacity: 5/8 inches to 1/2 inches or more
– Speeds: 12 to 15 speeds from 200-3500 RPM
– Table size: 19 x 19 inches or bigger
– Table swivel/tilt: 45 degrees left/right
– Motor power: 3/4 HP, 120V, 60Hz
– Overall height: Up to 70 inches
– Base size: At least 22 x 22 inches
These specs allow a 12 inch swing drill press to handle most general drilling, boring, counterboring, and reaming tasks on medium sized workpieces. Heavy duty models will have higher drilling capacities and larger table sizes.
Key Drilling Capacities
Two important measurements on a 12 inch swing drill press are:
Center-to-Column Capacity
The distance between the drill bit and column determines the maximum depth a hole can be drilled in the center of the workpiece. Look for a spindle-to-column distance of at least 17 inches.
Throat Depth
The vertical open throat space needed for the workpiece is usually 5-7 inches on a 12 inch swing drill press. Greater throat depth allows drilling completely through thicker workpieces.
Always check that the drill press throat depth and height is sufficient for the workpieces to fit underneath the spindle.
Typical Uses
A 12 inch swing drill press is a common standard size suitable for:
– Metal fabrication and machining
– Woodworking shops
– Maintenance and repair shops
– Garages and home workshops
– Jewelry, arts, and crafts drilling
It’s a versatile size that can handle most general drilling, boring, counterboring, and reaming applications on small to medium workpieces.
Some example uses are:
Woodworking
– Drilling holes in table legs, chairs, cabinets, and furniture components
– Boring holes for shelving supports, dowels, and wood joinery
– Counterboring holes for flush mounted screws and bolts
Metalworking
– Drilling holes in brackets, plates, machine parts, and hardware
– Enlarging and smoothing holes by reaming
– Boring precise holes for bushings and bearings
Jewelry Making
– Drilling holes in beads, pendants, brooches, and other jewelry pieces
– Precision drilling in small precious metals and gem stones
Crafting
– Drilling holes in leather, plastic, and ceramic materials
– Drilling toy parts, models, and other craft components
– Enlarging holes in beads and pendants
Advantages of a 12 Inch Swing
Some benefits of choosing a 12 inch swing drill press include:
– Handles a wide range of general drilling tasks
– Good capacity for most small workshop jobs
– Takes up minimal floor space as a benchtop model
– Provides adequate clearance for centered drilling
– Allows some angled drilling versatility
– Big enough for common wood and metal workpiece sizes
– Enables drilling furniture components and cabinetry
– Easier to find drill bits, chucks, and accessories
– Good balance of power and size for most home shops
– Less expensive than larger 16-20 inch swing models
For most hobbyists and DIYers, a 12 inch swing has sufficient capacity for typical home workshop jobs. It provides flexibility without occupying too much space or breaking the budget.
Disadvantages of a 12 Inch Swing
Some potential downsides of a 12 inch swing drill press include:
– Limited capacity for very large workpieces
– May not accept larger chuck sizes over 1 inch
– Smaller table size than a floor model
– Not powerful enough for heavy duty drilling in metal
– Throat depth can limit drilling height in centered workpieces
– Has less swing clearance than a 16 inch model
– Not ideal for intensive production drilling
– May require jig accommodation for off-center drilling
– Difficult to drill horizontally through long stock
While suitable for most general purposes, a 12 inch swing drill press lacks the production capabilities of an industrial floor model. Larger throat depths, table sizes, and drilling capacities are useful for machining bigger workpieces.
Conclusion
In summary, the swing capacity of a drill press indicates the maximum diameter of a workpiece that can fit centered under the spindle for horizontal drilling. A swing of 12 inches is a common rating that provides adequate clearance for most general drilling, boring, counterboring, and reaming tasks. It strikes a good balance of power and versatility without occupying excessive space. Understanding swing capacity helps ensure you select the right size drill press to match your intended drilling applications.