My drill press doesn't have a "stop".
How do I make a drill hole the same depth every time?
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I would be interested in a picture or model number for your drill press.– Adam DavisCommented Feb 25, 2016 at 20:33
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I believe its this one RYOBI Model # DP102L.– NipFuCommented Feb 25, 2016 at 22:17
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1Page 21 of the manual shows that this model includes a depth stop and how to adjust it: homedepot.com/catalog/pdfImages/6d/…– Adam DavisCommented Feb 25, 2016 at 23:34
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Good grief man - that is exciting. I just checked my documentation and that is indeed the model. 100's of people have been using this drill press for several years and never noticed this. I am used to seeing a different style. Next time I'm in the shop, I will see if the knob is broken off or something.– NipFuCommented Feb 25, 2016 at 23:45
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This is an opiion question there will be a lot of opinions about how to do this.– Evan CarrollCommented Sep 26, 2022 at 20:49
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6 Answers
The simplest means is to place a tab of masking tape on the drill bit at the desired depth. When the spinning tab lowers to the surface of the wood and sweeps away the wood chips, stop.
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1When using this technique, make sure that the tape is securely wrapped around the bit. The tape can slide up the bit and make you drill deeper than you intended. As a precaution, check the position of the tape after every few holes to make sure that it remains consistent. Commented Feb 24, 2016 at 17:23
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3when my brother showed me this trick, he put the tape on the drill bit, then slid the bit into the chuck until the tape stopped it. presto: no tape slipping. Commented Feb 25, 2016 at 0:27
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1Also make sure that the tape is applied in the "spin" direction, so that it doesn't come undone just from the drill's spin Commented Feb 26, 2016 at 3:43
Ashler's answer is the simplest and cheapest way to get holes the same depth. But as an extra there are bit collars that can be put on the bits which will enforce exact depth stops.
answered Feb 24, 2016 at 3:34
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@Matt Yes! And you beat me to the punch because my image links weren't working! :)– bowlturner ♦Commented Feb 24, 2016 at 3:39
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2These are the good sort. Some cheap stops have a grubscrew trying and sometimes failing to grip the drill bit. Get the good sort if you can.– Chris HCommented Feb 24, 2016 at 15:16
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7These stops work, however, care needs to be taken that the stop does not touch the surface of the wood since it can leave marks. To reduce the risk of leaving marks, cover the area you are drilling with a piece of masking tape first. Commented Feb 24, 2016 at 17:21
A lot of people drill a hole through a suitable length of wood dowel (or small square cross section) and use that as a stop-collar on the drill.
You can also just use an external chunk of wood
One benefit of both these is you don't need an Allen key and can very quickly swap back and forth between two or more different depths (useful for e.g. dowelling)
Unlike some pieces of tape or rubber/plastic grommets, they can't be pushed out of position by overenthusiastic pressure.
You can also adjust your drill press table to be at the desired depth when the drill reaches the end of it's stroke.
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This is also an elegant solution which I never considered. I suppose the repeat-ability also depends on the quality of the drill press table (which don't always lock down well on cheaper ones) whereas the tape or depth-stop collars are accurate regardless. But still, this is an interesting technique as it is less dependent on eye-balling than the tape and less expensive than the collars.– NipFuCommented Feb 24, 2016 at 6:56
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Tape is what I would have suggested and continue to use but if you wanted something a little more robust my suggestion would be depth stop collars /nuts
Image from AliExpress
Easily removed off the bits and adjustable as well which tape would not be as much.
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1I think I lucked out in getting a picture of higher quality depth stops...– bowlturner ♦Commented Feb 24, 2016 at 17:22
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For sure. I didnt find the one I really wanted and settled :(– MattCommented Feb 24, 2016 at 17:23
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if this is not a big project and you're just trying to get very close sized holes.. (maybe you don't want to punch through the other side), i've used electrical tape on the drill bit. just tape above the depth you want to stop. when you hit the tape... stop...
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1I don't think electrical tape, over the accepted answer's masking tape, warrants its own answer.– MazuraCommented Feb 28, 2016 at 1:19
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