The advertisements for drill presses say 10-inch,12-inch, 15-inch and so on. To what does that measurement refer?
Andy Rae: Like a band saw, the measurement refers to the distance from the business end of the too — in your case, the centerline of the quill, chuck, or drill bit — to the post. For example, on a 12-inch drill press, you should be able to drill into the middle of a 24-inch wide panel. Be advised that the manufacturer’s stated size is nominal; your actual drilling capacity may vary by an inch or so.
Richard Jones: The distance between the pillar and the centre of the chuck
