The swing of a drill press indicates the maximum size of material it can handle, measured as twice the distance from the chuck center to the column edge. It represents the largest diameter circle the drill can reach, determining how far from the workpiece edge you can drill. A larger swing is essential for drilling wide panels or large workpieces, focusing on reach rather than power.
The swing of a drill press is one of its most important specifications. It tells you the maximum size of material the drill press can handle.
How Is Swing Measured?
Swing is calculated as twice the distance from the center of the drill chuck to the nearest edge of the column.
Example:
If the distance from the chuck center to the column is 6 inches, the drill press has a 12-inch swing.
What Does Swing Mean for You?
Swing represents the largest diameter circle in which the drill can reach the center.
In simple terms, it tells you the maximum distance from the edge of your workpiece to the center of the hole you can drill.
Example:
A drill press with a 12-inch swing can drill a hole up to 6 inches from the edge of your material.
Why Is Swing Important?
- It determines whether the drill press can reach the center of wide panels or large workpieces.
- If you work with big boards or need to drill in the middle of a large piece, you’ll need a drill press with a larger swing.
Key Takeaway
Swing is not about power, it’s about reach. The bigger the swing, the larger the reach.