This project was built and designed by Alex from Bevelish Creations. It’s a smart and efficient drill press workstation that combines compact design, mobility, and practical storage into one organized unit.
Alex’s build addresses common frustrations in small shops—limited surface space, tool clutter, and inefficient layouts. By recessing the drill press base beneath the work surface and adding drawers and a pull-out writing tray, this stand helps streamline daily shop tasks.
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Why a Mobile Drill Press Stand Makes Sense
Drill presses are essential tools, but they take up a lot of valuable bench space. This design cleverly drops the press’s base below the main surface, keeping the tabletop free for layout, measuring, and clamping tasks.
The project also adds multiple storage drawers, including a vertical drawer ideal for jigs or long tools. Casters with quick-release plates allow the stand to move when needed but stay solid during use.
Starting with Materials and Breakdown
The stand is made from plywood, chosen for its strength and affordability. Full sheets are broken down using a track saw and cleaned up with a table saw for final sizing.
Edge banding is added using iron-on strips, which help protect the plywood edges and give the cabinet a finished look. While not as tough as hardwood edging, this method is fast and effective for shop furniture.
Building the Cabinet Structure
The core of the stand includes two side panels, a bottom, and a split back panel. Pocket holes and screws keep the frame strong and clean from the outside.
Corner clamps help keep everything square during assembly. A vertical divider splits the interior into two zones: one for drawers and one for the vertical storage panel.
Top Panel and Drill Press Placement
The top panel is made slightly oversized, then trimmed flush with a router after attachment. This ensures clean, smooth edges and a perfect fit.
A cutout in the top panel allows for the drill press column to pass through. The base of the press sits on a dedicated interior platform supported by its own vertical braces—essentially a nested structure within the main cabinet.
The edges of the top are trimmed in half-inch poplar to improve durability and soften the look. Rounded corners are added to reduce wear and tear on both materials and hands.
Mobility and Leveling
To help with mobility, Alex installs quick-release casters. These allow the cabinet to roll smoothly, then be lowered onto leveling feet for stability.
One issue during this part of the build was that the bolts provided with the caster kit were too short. To fix it, Alex drills shallow recesses in the mounting area to let the bolts seat fully without sticking out inside the cabinet.
Constructing the Drawer Boxes
Drawers are built from half-inch plywood for the sides and quarter-inch plywood for the bottoms. Dados are routed into the side panels to hold the drawer bottoms securely.
The drawers are assembled using glue and brad nails. Square clamping and a flat surface ensure proper alignment. Once dry, each drawer fits into a designated slot for easy sliding access.
Writing Platform for Notes and Plans
A standout feature of the build is the pull-out writing tray. This hidden shelf is perfect for setting down plans, hardware, or a quick project sketch.
It’s made from plywood and trimmed for added strength. Underneath, pine stretchers provide support. The tray glides in and out easily and tucks away when not in use.
Installing Drawer Slides
Slide installation begins with the bottom drawer and uses spacers for even gaps. Each drawer is pulled out and secured with screws, then reinforced with additional fasteners.
One challenge was fitting slides under the drill press platform. Alex temporarily removes the drawer below or uses a flexible drill bit to reach tight angles.
Building the Vertical Storage Drawer
The vertical drawer is made from three panels and slides out like a cabinet door. It’s great for long or awkward tools that don’t fit into standard drawers.
Due to the caster bolt recesses, this drawer is raised slightly off the base. While this fix worked, Alex notes that planning bolt placement earlier or using longer bolts and external blocks could prevent this issue in the future.
Final Touches and Finishing
The drawer fronts are all cut from one large plywood panel to maintain a consistent grain pattern. Pilot holes for the handles are drilled before installation to allow for minor adjustments during assembly.
The thick front of the writing tray posed a unique challenge, as standard screws wouldn’t bite deep enough. A quick recess with a drill bit allowed for stronger attachment.
Organizing Tools and Workflow
With the structure complete, tools like a pocket hole jig are mounted inside the vertical drawer. This keeps common tools off the work surface and within reach.
Drawer storage is also customized to hold bits, accessories, and other frequently used supplies—saving time and making project flow more efficient.
Learn more about this project here: https://www.bevelishcreations.com/plans/drill-press-stand/.