All DIY enthusiasts know that investing in a drill press is a very practical decision – you can click here to see our selection. You can use a device of this kind to make anything from a bookstand to a pencil holder, a charm bracelet and even a gliding chair.
If you love DIY home-improvement projects, you are in for a treat! So, if you already own a drill press and you are in need of ideas that you can try, be sure to take a look at the following projects that we have put together for you!
The advantages of a drill press
Drill presses are now very popular among DIY enthusiasts. These devices come in numerous sizes and designs and they are quite affordable and practical. You can use them to drill at precise angles, a feature that is very important when it comes to completing numerous projects.
You can use a drill press to drill holes into plastic, wood and even metal with little to no effort. Plus, apart from being accurate, these machines are powerful and they can save you from having to put in a lot of manual work.
Because most manufacturers are aware that customers use these devices for home improvement projects, many of the devices that are currently available are also very much safe.
Make a bookstand
If you are a bookworm or if you have a friend or a family member who loves books, you can spend your free time constructing a fun-looking bookstand. Given that most bookstands feature hinges, you can use your new drill press to drill the needed holes safely and easily.
As you probably know, a bookstand that does not have perfectly aligned hinges is unusable. So, in order to avoid this, it is recommended that you measure the wood that you intend to use correctly before you actually do the drilling.
There are various designs that you can pick when it comes to bookstands. If you are a novice, we advise in favor of opting for a simple one at first. Once you get used to using your drill press with accuracy, you can then move on to more complicated designs that require more time and craft.
Make a knick-knack shelf
If you like the idea of being able to display your trophies or other pieces of memorabilia that you treasure, a knick-knack shelf is all you need. Before you start your project, it is best that you go online and that you select a design.
To make a classic-looking shelf, you do not need a lot of materials. For instance, you can start with two 6″ x 36″ x 3/4″ and a 2″ x 36″ x 3/4″ piece of wood. Next, buy some carpenters glue from your local retailers as well as some bar or C-clamps.
Once you have all the materials, cut all the pieces of wood in half. If you do not have the necessary tools to do this at home, you can have the shop assistant to do it for you, as most stores that sell wood are provided with the needed tools to cut it.
Then, glue the 2″ X 18″ piece of wood vertically to a 6″ X 18″ one. You can use a clamp to keep the pieces together until the glue is set. Next, attach the other pieces of wood.
Finally, use the drilling press to drill the necessary holes so that you can mount the shelf on the wall. If you want to, now is the time to paint the shelf in the desired color. After the paint dries off, you can install your new knick-knack shelf on the wall.
A rustic pot rack
If you have no space available in your kitchen for all the pans that you own, you might want to consider making a new rack for them. This way, you can hang them on the wall that you have free. Before you choose one of the many woodworking plans that you can find online, it is a great idea to make sure that the final rack fits in the space that you have available.
For this project, you will have to use your prized drilling press to drill holes of various sizes and depths. However, this should not be an issue, as long as you follow the instructions correctly.
Charm bracelets
Charm bracelets are also quite easy to make. For this project, you will need some coins and a bracelet chain that features a toggle clasp. You should start by cleaning the coins by washing them with soap and warm water. If they are particularly dirty, you can use a toothbrush to remove the dirt.
After the coins are dried, it is time to decide on how you want to utilize each of them. Next, drill holes into the coins. Make sure to place the hole near the top of each coin, so that you won’t struggle to put them on the chain. Then, it is time to attach the coins to the chain in the desired order.
Now, it is time to make sure that the bracelet fits you correctly. If this is not the case, you might want to consider removing some of the links. You can use the same technique to make other pieces of jewelry such as earrings and necklaces.
A desk organizer made of wood
If you are a person who enjoys keeping your stuff in order, a desk organizer is all you need. To make one from scratch you will need a precut 9-by-3-1/2-by-1-inch piece of wood, a ruler, a drill press, a metal clamp, an awl, and paint. You can also purchase four 1-inch rubber feet.
Before you do any drilling, use a pencil and ruler and decide on a design. Mark the places where you intend to drill across the wooden plank with an x. Use an awl to make a deep indentation in the center of the places you have marked with an x.
Then, use a drill press to drill the desired holes. Make sure that you realign the device correctly every time you drill a hole. Use the metal clamp to secure the piece of wood. You can also drill small holes for the rubber feet if you decide to add them into the design of the organizer.
Once you are done with the drilling, it is time to paint the organizer. If you like the natural design of the wood, you can use natural finish Danish oil instead of colored paint. Once you finish painting, you have to leave the organizer to dry for approximately 24 hours. To avoid getting paint/oil on your hands, it is strongly recommended that you use rubber gloves.
After the caddy is dried, you just have to attach the rubber feet and to place your office supplies inside it.
A pencil holder
Another fun project that you can try is making a pencil holder out of a small slice of wood that came from a tree base or a branch. It should measure around six inches in diameter. You will also need a hand saw, a 7/16″ drill and sandpaper. Danish oil or paint is optional.
Begin by utilizing the saw to cut the piece of wood so that it has the height that you like. Next, use a drill press to drill holes into the top of the wood. You can drill using a pattern, or just randomly. If you decide on a pattern, use a pencil to mark the spots where you intend to drill. This will come in handy.
Then, use sandpaper to sand down the edges of the pencil holder. You can now paint it with regular paint or with Danish oil. If you decide to do so, you should allow it to dry for around 24 hours before you place the pencils in.
Other projects you could try
If you are a hobbyist carpenter that is confident enough to embark on more complicated projects, you can also use your drill press to make a gliding chair, a clay pot hanger, and louvers.
You can find useful instructions on how to construct these items online as there are many sites dedicated to DIY enthusiasts such as yourself. However, before you try any of them, remember to stay safe and to wear protective gear.
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