Pillar drill pulley setting range for woodworking?

[Mike Halmarack]

My Scheppach pillar drill manual from Lidl shows a range of 5 pulley
and belt settings from:
600 1/min
to
2650 1/min

The speed chart only show speeds relating to metals.
Are there optimum settings suitable for wood?

[John Rumm]

Post by Mike Halmarack
My Scheppach pillar drill manual from Lidl shows a range of 5 pulley
600 1/min
to
2650 1/min
The speed chart only show speeds relating to metals.
Are there optimum settings suitable for wood?

They would tend to be toward the higher higher end in most cases, but it
is not that critical IME. For comparison a typical handheld drill might
top out at 2400. In a drill press you can compensate a lower speed with
more drill pressure.

I typically have mine set a bit lower than ideal for wood (probably
about 1000 - 1200 rpm), and that will cope ok for most wood drilling
operations. That saves having to change it when drilling steel!
--
Cheers,

John.

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[Mike Halmarack]

On Sun, 17 Nov 2024 13:14:08 +0000, John Rumm

Post by John Rumm

Post by Mike Halmarack
My Scheppach pillar drill manual from Lidl shows a range of 5 pulley
600 1/min
to
2650 1/min
The speed chart only show speeds relating to metals.
Are there optimum settings suitable for wood?

They would tend to be toward the higher higher end in most cases, but it
is not that critical IME. For comparison a typical handheld drill might
top out at 2400. In a drill press you can compensate a lower speed with
more drill pressure.
I typically have mine set a bit lower than ideal for wood (probably
about 1000 - 1200 rpm), and that will cope ok for most wood drilling
operations. That saves having to change it when drilling steel!

Thanks, pulley changes seem as popular as circular saw blade changes.
For good reason I'm sure. I'll follow your advice.

[No mail]

Post by Mike Halmarack
My Scheppach pillar drill manual from Lidl shows a range of 5 pulley
600 1/min
to
2650 1/min
The speed chart only show speeds relating to metals.
Are there optimum settings suitable for wood?

This is one of a large number of charts that a quick search will
produce: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1237445354

[Mike Halmarack]

Post by No mail

Post by Mike Halmarack
My Scheppach pillar drill manual from Lidl shows a range of 5 pulley
600 1/min
to
2650 1/min
The speed chart only show speeds relating to metals.
Are there optimum settings suitable for wood?

This is one of a large number of charts that a quick search will
produce: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1237445354

Very useful chart. Thanks

[Thomas Prufer]

Post by Mike Halmarack
Are there optimum settings suitable for wood?

35 m/min for hardwood, 50 m/min for softwood.

so: (35 m/min) / (circumference of drill in meters) = rpm

Adjust for blunt bits, spade bits, etc -- but this will get you into the right
ballpark.


from <https://www.flott.de/en/service/speed-table-calculator/>


Thomas Prufer

[Mike Halmarack]

On Mon, 18 Nov 2024 09:31:50 +0100, Thomas Prufer

Post by Thomas Prufer

Post by Mike Halmarack
Are there optimum settings suitable for wood?

35 m/min for hardwood, 50 m/min for softwood.
so: (35 m/min) / (circumference of drill in meters) = rpm
Adjust for blunt bits, spade bits, etc -- but this will get you into the right
ballpark.
from <https://www.flott.de/en/service/speed-table-calculator/>
Thomas Prufer

Thanks Thomas. Close must be good considering how some drillers stick
to one medium setting for all.

[wasbit]

Post by Mike Halmarack
On Mon, 18 Nov 2024 09:31:50 +0100, Thomas Prufer

Post by Thomas Prufer

Post by Mike Halmarack
Are there optimum settings suitable for wood?

35 m/min for hardwood, 50 m/min for softwood.
so: (35 m/min) / (circumference of drill in meters) = rpm
Adjust for blunt bits, spade bits, etc -- but this will get you into the right
ballpark.
from <https://www.flott.de/en/service/speed-table-calculator/>
Thomas Prufer

Thanks Thomas. Close must be good considering how some drillers stick
to one medium setting for all.

My 16 speed pillar drill is set to one of it's lowest speeds (can't
remember which) & probably hasn't been changed since I first bought the
machine 30+ years ago.

[TimW]

Post by wasbit

Post by Mike Halmarack
On Mon, 18 Nov 2024 09:31:50 +0100, Thomas Prufer

On Sun, 17 Nov 2024 09:25:52 +0000, Mike Halmarack

Are  there optimum settings suitable for wood?

35 m/min for hardwood, 50 m/min for softwood.
so: (35 m/min) / (circumference of drill in meters) = rpm
Adjust for blunt bits, spade bits, etc -- but this will get you into the right
ballpark.
from <https://www.flott.de/en/service/speed-table-calculator/>
Thomas Prufer

Thanks Thomas. Close must be good considering how some drillers stick
to one medium setting for all.

My 16 speed pillar drill is set to one of it's lowest speeds (can't
remember which) & probably hasn't been changed since I first bought the
machine 30+ years ago.

Same here. Some wood boring bits are unchanged from the days of
unpowered drills with a winding handle or a brace and bit and therefore
are very unsuitable for fast speeds or high power. Small twist bits will
quickly overheat and break. Larger auger bits will sometimes also break
in a powerfull drill if run too fast.

On the other hand some bits - flat bits, forstners - will only work at
speed, although they tend to be larger dia so the rotation speed still
isn't high.

TW