Our Best Pillar Drill review looks at a range of pillar drills, from models for starting DIYers through to drills for serious hobbyists and professionals. We list the pros and cons of each model and discuss their features. Our Buyer’s Guide highlights the issues to consider before making the leap and purchasing your pillar drill.

The Clarke CDP5RB 5 Speed Bench Mounted Pillar Drill is an impressive piece of kit, perfect for the DIY enthusiast and hobbyist. The bright red colour catches your eye at first. This pillar drill has top-of-the-line features and high build quality. The model is powered by a powerful 350 watt motor that offers consistent energy as you drill through materials with ease. The Einhell feels reassuringly solid, but it’s hard to justify its scale-shattering weight in use. The base is sturdy, and the handles don’t feel flimsy, but its performance statistics aren’t that far above the Bosch.

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Integrated laser to assist with drilling for easy, precise drilling at exactly the required position. Features wise the variable speed is excellent though you should note that you do not set the speed to a value rather it tells you what speed you have set, by turning the knob on the front, when you actually start it up. It is also very easy to work the depth feature. in the box, the product is nicely presented and i was able to set it up and start using it immediately without reading the instructions. So far i have not bothered to make use of the electronic depth guage, still preferring to mark a depth stop on the bit with some coloured tape.

The Clarke CDP5RB might need delicate hands, but it’s a solid pillar drill at a competitive price. Pros The finish is inferior to the Bosch, with exposed springs and a basic three-spoke handle for raising and lowering the motor. Yet, considering that the Clarke costs around one-third as much as the Bosch, its aesthetic shortcomings are more forgivable. A bad workman blames his tools, and pillar drills tend to get blamed for holes that aren’t perfectly perpendicular. Common causes include; workpieces not being clamped in place tightly enough, drill bits inserted at a slight angle, and even the quality of the drill bit itself.We recommend buying premium drill bits as they tend to fit better and last longer.This drill model hasfive speeds to select from for even more accurate drilling and variation depending on the materials you want to drill. The speed ranges from 580-2650 rpm. As mentioned before, speed helps the drill get through the material faster and more effectively. A pillar drill could be an essential component in your DIY toolbox if your projects involve making many holes in various materials. These power tools allow you to drill holes more accurately and precisely than with a handheld drill, and faster too. The models we reviewed range from budget-friendly models suitable for those just starting out in DIY or for occasional use, to models with all the features anyone, even professionals, could want. The Clarke CDP5RB Bench Mounted Pillar Drill has a small and portable size that makes it adaptable to domestic situations such as a home DIY workshop or a hobbyist working in the shed.This is an affordable drill with top-of-the-line features including a tiltable table and a powerful 350W motor that lets you drill through metal, plastic and wood. The Bosch PBD 40 Bench Drill is by far one of the best pillar drills we have seen for use in a workshop and is ahead of its time in terms of technology, features and performance. It has the usual high quality associated with Bosch products, and premium features not often found on home pillar drills. Make use of the electronic speed control, the laser guide, and the two speeds to drill holes accurately and efficiently with the 750W motor. As always, with Bosch products, this quality and functionality comes at a premium price.