3
Making a Drill Press Table
This is a general plan. Customize the table dimensions and
the size and position of the relief cutout at the back of the
table to fit your drill press or work patterns.
1. Determine how long and wide you want the table to be.
Cut your material to size.
Note: For stability, table material should be at least
1
1
⁄
8
" thick (or a lamination of equivalent thickness).
2. Determine where and how big the rear cutout for your
drill press column needs to be. Mark your stock and
make the cut with a jigsaw or band saw.
3. On the table’s underside, use the Shop Drawing to
locate the center opening; center it right to left and
align the cross marks with the drill shaft.
4. Mark the outline and make the cut with a jigsaw.
5. Flip the table. With a bearing-guided rabbeting bit,
cut a 1/4" W x 3/8" D rabbet around the opening.
6. Use a 1" diameter Forstner bit to drill finger holes at
the four corners of the center opening.
7. Use a 3/4" router bit or a dado set in a table saw to cut
3/4" W x 3/8" D dadoes for the T-track. Cut the
T-track to length, if necessary, with a hacksaw. File
any rough edges. Install with #6 flathead screws.
8. Cut 4
1
⁄
2
" x 6" sacrificial inserts from 3/8" thick stock.
Mounting the Table to Your Drill Press
Check Rockler.com for updates. If you have further questions, please
contact our Technical Support Department at 1-800-260-9663
Position rear cutout to fit your drill press
Position slots for mounting
fence 16
1
⁄
4
" to 19
3
⁄
4
" apart
1/4" w x 3/8" D
rabbet around
the center
opening
1" finger holes
are corners of
center opening
Optional: Use
#6 woodscrews
as leveling pins
Method 2 - Install 5/16"-18 Screw-On Tee Nuts (68379,
sold separately) on the underside of your shop-built table
and use Rockler Hold-Down Clamps (35283, sold
separately) to secure.
Method 1 - Drive woodscrews with FastCap Wood
Washers (49034, sold separately) or fender washers
through holes in your drill press’ metal table to secure.
