Pillar Drill Presses

Choosing the Right Pillar Drill Press

Selecting a pillar drill press means understanding how drive type, feed system, and speed control affect accuracy, productivity, and tool life. A well-chosen pillar drill ensures reliable performance whether you’re handling light workshop jobs or industrial production runs.

Drive Systems

Erlo and HM Scantool pillar drills are available in two main drive systems:

• V-Belt Drive: Smooth, quiet operation with adjustable pulley ratios. Ideal for general workshop and maintenance tasks.
• Gear Drive: Rigid transmission for high torque and precision. Suited for continuous or heavy-duty use where consistent spindle speed is critical.

Feed Systems & Automation

Most pillar drills are available with manual, mechanical automatic, or electromagnetic automatic feed. Automatic feed helps maintain drilling depth and improves repeatability in repetitive production. Machines equipped with auto-reverse are especially useful for tapping operations, as the spindle retracts automatically when the thread is complete.

Tapping Capability

All Erlo and HM Scantool pillar drills can perform tapping when equipped with the correct reversible motor, tapping attachment, or auto-reverse control. For full automation, Erlo’s SHE and SH tapping series include built-in auto-feed and auto-reverse systems for efficient thread cutting without manual intervention.

Speed Control & Capacities

Both manual and automatic speed adjustment options are available — from variable pulley control to multi-speed gear transmissions. Erlo’s lineup covers drilling capacities from 18 mm up to 70 mm in steel, while Scantool models provide cost-effective options for small to mid-size work.

Brands & Bespoke Solutions

We supply pillar drill presses from ERLO and HM Scantool, covering every price point and functional requirement. Erlo also designs bespoke drilling and tapping systems, including gang drills and multi-spindle heads capable of drilling or tapping multiple holes simultaneously — ideal for high-volume production and precision manufacturing.

Whether you need a compact belt-driven drill press for the workshop or a custom-engineered multi-head tapping system, we deliver solutions that combine precision, durability, and flexibility for modern production environments.