Pillar Drill Machines – Bid on Used & Inspected Equipment
Pillar drills are an indispensable piece of machinery in metalworking, engineering workshops, and manufacturing facilities across the UK. Offering exceptional precision and stability, a pillar drill is the go-to choice for demanding drilling applications where accuracy cannot be compromised. At Surplex, you'll find an extensive selection of used pillar drills suitable for everything from small independent workshops to large-scale industrial operations.
What Makes a Pillar Drill Stand Out?
A pillar drill is the heart of any serious mechanical workshop when it comes to accurate vertical drilling. Unlike a handheld power drill, the drilling unit on a pillar drill is rigidly fixed to a stable column or post – it's the workpiece that's positioned beneath the drill head, not the other way around. This fundamental design difference is what gives the pillar drill its remarkable consistency and control.
Key features that define a quality pillar drill include:
Maximum precision through rigid guidance
Powerful motor and robust drive transmission
Variable speed control
Adjustable and stable work table
Repeatable depth stops for consistent results
Improved safety and ergonomic operation
Advantages of Using a Pillar Drill
Pillar drills are renowned for their accuracy and sheer capability. They allow you to drill clean, precise holes through a wide range of materials including steel, aluminium, wood, and plastics. Their robust construction ensures a long service life and dependable performance day in, day out. A pillar drill is particularly well suited for:
Precision drilling work where tolerances matter
Repeat drilling of identical holes in batch production
Applications requiring a fixed drilling axis that a handheld drill simply cannot provide
A further advantage worth noting is that purchasing a used pillar drill gives you access to premium-quality machinery at a fraction of the new price – without sacrificing performance.
What Is the Pillar Drill Used For?
A pillar drill is used for drilling accurate, repeatable holes in materials such as metal, wood, and plastic. Because the drill head travels vertically along a fixed column, the drill bit enters the workpiece at a perfectly perpendicular angle every time. This makes the pillar drill ideal for engineering tasks, joinery, fabrication work, and light to heavy industrial production where consistent hole placement and depth are critical.
What's the Difference Between a Pillar Drill and a Drill Press?
In practice, the terms "pillar drill" and "drill press" are often used interchangeably – particularly in the UK trade and engineering sectors. However, there is a subtle but meaningful constructional difference between the two, primarily relating to the design of the supporting column and the resulting levels of stability and flexibility.
The Pillar Drill (Round Column Design)
As the name suggests, the classic pillar drill features a smooth, round column as its main support.
Flexibility: The round column allows the work table to be raised and lowered as well as swung through a full 360° around the column. This is a real advantage when working with large or awkward workpieces that won't fit directly beneath the drill head.
Clamping: The table is secured to the column via a clamping mechanism. Under extreme loads, there is a theoretical risk of slight rotational movement at the table.
Best suited for: General-purpose use in maintenance workshops, joinery, and the skilled trades – the classic all-rounder.
The Drill Press (Box Column / Rectangular Column Design)
On a heavy-duty drill press, the supporting structure is typically a rectangular, solid cast iron column – often featuring a dovetail or rail-type guideway.
Rigidity: The rectangular section and precision guideway make this design exceptionally torsion-resistant. The table cannot rotate laterally under load.
Precision: Because the table runs within a fixed guideway, alignment between the drill spindle and the table centre remains absolutely constant, even under significant drilling pressure.
Best suited for: Series production and heavy engineering environments where maximum repeat accuracy and resistance to large drilling forces are required.
Is It Worth Getting a Pillar Drill?
Absolutely – and for most workshops, a pillar drill is one of the most worthwhile investments you can make. If you regularly need to drill accurate holes, produce repeat batches, or work with metal and hardwood, a pillar drill will deliver results that a handheld drill simply cannot match. The fixed column eliminates the wobble and drift that inevitably affects hand-held drilling, resulting in cleaner holes, better fitment, and far less wasted material. For professional tradespeople and engineers, a pillar drill quickly pays for itself in time saved and rework avoided.
Important Types of Pillar Drill
Within our machinery auctions, you'll typically encounter three main technical categories. Understanding the differences will help you identify exactly the right pillar drill for your specific application:
Classic Round-Column Pillar Drills
These machines are characterised by their substantial round column.
Notable feature: The work table can usually be swung through 360° around the column, making it straightforward to handle bulky workpieces.
Typical capacity: Professional models often feature Morse taper spindles (MT3 or MT4), indicating a high drilling capacity in steel – typically 25–50 mm.
Leading brands: This category is regularly dominated by premium manufacturers such as Alzmetall (e.g. the AB series) and Flott, both well regarded for their exceptional longevity and precision.
Industrial Heavy-Duty Drill Presses
In contrast to the round column, these machines feature a square or rectangular box-section column.
Constructional advantage: The rectangular column provides significantly greater rigidity and resistance to twisting. The work table typically runs in a precision dovetail guideway, preventing lateral movement even under heavy drilling loads.
Drive options: Both gearbox-driven machines (for high torque at low speeds) and belt-drive models (for smooth running at higher speeds) are available in this category.
Brands represented: Alongside Flott, machines from Knuth and Bimak frequently appear in this segment.
Compact Bench-Top Pillar Drills
For workshops with limited floor space, or for precision work on smaller components, compact bench-mounted models offer a practical solution.
Application: These models are bolted directly to a workbench. They offer a shorter stroke and reduced throat depth, but often deliver very high spindle speeds ideal for small-diameter drill bits.
Brands to look out for: Ixion and compact Flott models are frequently listed in this category.
Why Buy a Used Pillar Drill?
Buying a used pillar drill gives you the opportunity to acquire a high-quality, professional-grade machine at a fraction of its original purchase price. A well-maintained used pillar drill from a reputable manufacturer is more than capable of delivering the same performance as a new equivalent – making it a highly cost-effective choice for businesses looking to equip their workshop without overspending.
Used Pillar Drills in the Surplex Auction
Surplex offers a broad and varied selection of used pillar drills, combining quality assurance with genuine cost savings. Every used pillar drill listed in our auctions is carefully assessed to ensure it meets the high standards our customers expect.
Our auction platform offers you the following benefits:
Wide selection: Multiple models and brands available at any one time
Cost savings: Significant savings compared to buying new machinery
Full service: We handle dismantling, logistics, transport, and customs clearance
Buying Guide for Pillar Drills
When purchasing a pillar drill, keep the following points in mind:
Power and capacity: Choose a machine whose drilling capacity matches the demands of your work – both in terms of material and hole diameter.
Condition of the machine: With used machinery, the mechanical condition is critical – inspect carefully before bidding.
Accessories and expandability: Consider whether specialist tooling or additional accessories will be required for your application.
A used pillar drill that has been regularly serviced and well looked after will often perform on a par with a new machine, making it a sound long-term investment.
Why Choose Surplex
Surplex combines digital expertise with genuine personal service. As one of Europe's leading industrial auction houses, we offer:
End-to-end service: From dismantling through to customs clearance
Personal support: Dedicated experts available in over 20 languages
Reliability: More than 20 years of experience in online industrial auctions
Thanks to our unique service offering and decades of experience in the used machinery trade, we guarantee our customers a smooth transaction and complete satisfaction at every stage.
Ready to invest in industrial-grade precision for your workshop? Register now and find the right used pillar drill in our next auction.
What Are the Risks of Using a Pillar Drill?
Like all machine tools, a pillar drill must be used correctly to avoid injury. The key risks include:
Unsecured workpieces: This is the most common hazard. If the workpiece is not clamped firmly to the table with a machine vice or clamps, it can catch on the drill bit and spin violently – causing serious injury to hands and arms.
Entanglement: Loose clothing, gloves, or hair can be caught by the rotating spindle. Always wear appropriate PPE and remove gloves before operating a pillar drill.
Flying swarf: Metal chips and swarf can be projected at speed. Safety glasses or a face shield should always be worn.
Incorrect speed selection: Using too high a speed for the material or drill diameter can cause drill bits to overheat, break, or snatch – always refer to the recommended speed chart.
Always ensure guarding is in place and follow the manufacturer's safety guidelines before operating any pillar drill.
Frequently Asked Questions
What drilling capacity do I need for my workshop?
Drilling capacity refers to the maximum hole diameter the machine can drill in steel. For hobby and light DIY use, 13 mm to 16 mm is often sufficient. In professional trades or industrial environments, machines with a capacity of 25 mm, 32 mm, or even 40 mm are standard, allowing large holes to be drilled in solid material without the need for pilot holes.
What is the difference between a bench-top and a floor-standing pillar drill?
The difference can be summarised as follows:
Bench-top pillar drill: Compact and designed to be bolted to a workbench. Ideal for smaller workpieces and workshops with limited floor space.
Floor-standing pillar drill: Features a full-length column and stands directly on the workshop floor. It provides greater clearance between the spindle and the base, accommodates larger workpieces, and is typically more powerful.
How do I set the correct spindle speed?
Spindle speed depends on the material being drilled and the diameter of the drill bit.
General rule: The harder the material and the larger the drill, the lower the required speed.
Modern pillar drills often feature a speed chart on the machine housing or electronic variable speed control. On older belt-drive models, speed is adjusted manually by repositioning the drive belt on the stepped pulley inside the head.
What does "throat depth" mean on a pillar drill?
Throat depth (sometimes called "reach") is the horizontal distance between the column and the centre of the spindle. This measurement determines how far in from the edge of a workpiece you can drill. A throat depth of 200 mm, for example, means the furthest the hole centre can be positioned from the edge of the workpiece is 200 mm.
Why is a machine vice so important when using a pillar drill?
Safety first. A machine vice clamps the workpiece firmly to the drill table, preventing it from moving during drilling. Without proper workholding, a drill bit breaking through the underside of a workpiece can catch and spin the material at speed – commonly known as the "merry-go-round" effect – potentially causing serious hand and arm injuries.
What should I look out for when buying a used pillar drill?
When bidding in a Surplex auction, pay particular attention to:
Spindle play: Is there any wobble in the spindle when extended? This directly affects drilling accuracy.
Running noise: Does the motor run smoothly, or is there grinding from worn bearings?
Table condition: Check for excessive "trial hole" damage – a heavily pitted table can be a sign of hard use.
Spindle taper: Is the Morse taper socket clean and undamaged? (Typically MT2 or MT3 on most workshop pillar drills.)
What is a Morse Taper (MT)?
A Morse taper is a standardised tapered interface used for tool holding in the spindle of a pillar drill. It allows drill chucks or large drill bits to be fitted directly into the spindle with a self-locking taper connection, providing an extremely secure hold and excellent concentricity for accurate drilling.
How do I maintain a pillar drill properly?
To keep your pillar drill in top condition:
Lubrication: The quill (the extending spindle sleeve) and the rack-and-pinion column height adjuster should be cleaned regularly and lightly oiled to ensure smooth operation.
Belt tension: On belt-drive machines, check the drive belt tension periodically to prevent slippage and uneven wear.
Cleaning: Remove swarf and metal chips after every use. Left in combination with cutting oil, they can clog mechanisms and promote rust – particularly on the table and column.
