4 Shop-Made Drill Press Table Accessories
A woodworking drill press table and fence make drilling more accurate and convenient. But with a few simple shop-made drill press accessories, you can make your setup even more versatile.
From repeatable hole locations to securely holding small workpieces, these four accessories solve common drilling problems without requiring expensive hardware or complicated construction. Most can be made from scrap plywood, hardwood, and a few basic fasteners.
Watch the video to see how these drill press table add-ons work and how you can make them for your own shop.
1. Drill Press Stop Block for Repeatable Holes
A stop block is one of the simplest and most useful accessories you can add to a drill press fence. It allows you to position multiple workpieces consistently, making it easy to drill holes at the same distance from an end.
The stop block is made from a small piece of 3/4" plywood. A flange bolt, washer, and knob secure it to the T-track in the fence, allowing it to slide into position and lock in place.
Chamfering or rounding the bottom corners provides dust relief, preventing chips from collecting between the stop block and the workpiece.
Use Two Stop Blocks for Drilling Slots
Keeping two stop blocks handy adds even more versatility. Position one at each end of the desired travel to establish starting and stopping points when drilling a series of overlapping holes or creating a slot.
If your drill press fence doesn't have T-track, a simple plywood stop block with a hardboard strip along the top can be clamped directly to the fence. The strip acts as a ledge to keep the stop square while providing additional clearance for chips below.
2. Adjustable Toggle Clamp Hold-Down
For quick clamping and release, a toggle clamp makes an excellent drill press accessory.
This version starts with a small triangular plywood base that mounts to the table's T-track using a flange bolt, washer, and knob. A toggle clamp is attached to the top of the plywood base.
The toggle clamp's adjustable spindle allows it to accommodate workpieces of different thicknesses. Once positioned, simply lower the handle to secure the material.
This quick-action setup is particularly convenient when drilling multiple similar parts because you can clamp and release each workpiece without readjusting the entire fixture.
3. Shop-Made Hold-Downs for Safer Drilling
Small workpieces can be difficult to control at the drill press. If the bit catches, an unsecured piece of wood, plastic, or metal can spin or lift off the table, damaging the workpiece and creating a serious safety hazard.
A shop-made hold-down helps prevent this by securing the material against the drill press table.
One simple design uses a shaped hardwood arm and a shop-made threaded knob. The knob engages hardware in the table's T-track, allowing the hold-down to slide into position and lock securely.
These hold-downs are especially useful for drilling small parts. They can also be mounted in the fence's T-track to secure workpieces vertically.
4. V-Block Jig for Drilling Dowels
Drilling a straight, centered hole in a dowel or other round workpiece can be challenging. The curved surface makes the workpiece difficult to position and hold securely.
A simple V-block solves this problem by cradling the dowel and keeping it from rolling.
You can make the block from a thick piece of scrap wood or by gluing together two layers of 3/4" plywood. Cut a V-shaped groove at the table saw with the blade tilted to 45°.
To set up the jig, align the bottom of the V with the drill bit and position the drill press fence against the block. Secure the block with a clamp to prevent movement during drilling.
This simple jig is useful for drilling dowels and other cylindrical parts that are difficult to hold with conventional clamps.
Build a Better Woodworking Drill Press Table
These accessories are inexpensive, easy to make, and useful for everyday drilling tasks. Stop blocks improve repeatability, hold-downs secure workpieces, toggle clamps speed up repetitive operations, and a V-block makes drilling round stock easier.
Combined with a well-designed drill press table and fence, they create a more capable drilling station for your workshop.
Get the Drill Press Table & Accessory Plans
Ready to upgrade your drill press? The Woodsmith Woodworking Drill Press Table plans include step-by-step instructions and drawings for building the table and its accessories.
GET THE COMPLETE STEP-BY-STEP PLANS → Build a Woodworking Drill Press Table
