Axminster AP540PD Pillar Drill
The Axminster AP540PD Floor Pillar Drill is a professional-grade floor-standing drilling machine manufactured by Axminster Tool Centre Ltd. Designated with product code 107707, this heavy-duty pillar drill features a powerful 1,100-watt induction motor and provides twelve belt-driven speed settings ranging from 150 to 2,700 revolutions per minute. The machine incorporates a 3 Morse Taper spindle with a keyless chuck capable of accommodating drill bits from 3 to 16 millimeters in diameter. Weighing 143 kilograms and standing 1,710 millimeters tall, the AP540PD is designed for professional workshops requiring accuracy, stability, and consistent performance in metalworking, woodworking, and general fabrication operations. The drill's name derives from its maximum working capacity of 540 millimeters between the chuck and worktable, providing substantial clearance for large workpieces.
Constructed predominantly from cast iron and precision-machined steel, the AP540PD features a robust one-piece design built for workshop permanence rather than portability. The machine arrives approximately 95 percent assembled to minimize heavy lifting during installation, though it must be bolted securely to the workshop floor as a safety requirement. The drill incorporates multiple electrically interlocked safety systems, including a chuck guard with microswitch that instantly stops operation when opened, and a belt cover interlock preventing motor activation with the cover removed. An emergency stop button and No Volt Release switch system provide additional operator protection. The machine runs virtually vibration-free when properly secured to the floor, contributing to drilling accuracy and operator comfort during extended use.
Technical Specifications
The AP540PD operates on 230-volt single-phase electrical supply through a standard 13-amp connection, drawing power to a 1,100-watt smooth-running induction motor. This motor drives a multi-vee belt system manufactured in Japan, which transmits power through twelve distinct speed settings achieved via a jockey pulley arrangement. Speed changes are accomplished manually by adjusting belt position, with a belt tensioning lever and butterfly locks on the motor yoke facilitating these adjustments. The speed range spans from 150 revolutions per minute for large-diameter drilling in metal to 2,700 revolutions per minute for smaller holes in wood and lighter materials.
The spindle assembly employs a 3 Morse Taper configuration, accommodating the keyless chuck through a matched arbor. NSK ball race bearings support the spindle, providing precision rotation essential for accurate hole placement and consistent drilling. The quill travel extends 120 millimeters, allowing for deep hole drilling or multiple depth adjustments within a single setup. Chuck capacity ranges from 3 millimeters minimum to 16 millimeters maximum, covering the vast majority of workshop drilling requirements. The throat depth measures 254 millimeters from the column centerline to the chuck center, defining the maximum distance from an edge where holes can be drilled. Maximum distances from chuck to table reach 540 millimeters, while chuck to base clearance extends to 1,090 millimeters, enabling drilling operations on large-scale workpieces.
The worktable measures 475 millimeters by 425 millimeters and is manufactured from cast iron for rigidity and vibration damping. This table tilts 45 degrees in both left and right directions, locked in position by handles and featuring a positive 90-degree locking pin for returning to perpendicular orientation. A leveling adjustment nut on the supporting arm allows fine-tuning of table position. The table raises and lowers via a rack-and-pinion system operated by a large crank handle, and can be swivelled completely aside to allow direct use of the 580-millimeter by 450-millimeter base as a work support surface for oversized items. The 92-millimeter diameter column provides substantial rigidity, resisting deflection under drilling forces. Overall machine dimensions span 860 millimeters length, 610 millimeters width, and 1,710 millimeters height.
Key Features
The AP540PD distinguishes itself through comprehensive safety systems electrically integrated throughout the machine. The chuck guard features an adjustable height design with a microswitch that immediately stops the drill when opened, preventing operator contact with rotating components. Similarly, the belt cover incorporates electrical interlocking, rendering the motor inoperable when the cover is removed for speed changes. An emergency stop button of the separate locking type provides immediate shutdown capability, while the No Volt Release switch prevents unexpected startup after power interruptions. These safety features exceed basic regulatory requirements, reflecting the machine's professional workshop designation.
Operational features emphasize precision and control. The depth stop assembly includes an adjustable scale and collar, enabling repeatable hole depths essential for production work or multiple identical parts. The lever feed handle, cast from iron and fitted with soft rubber grips, provides smooth, controlled descent of the quill while offering sufficient mechanical advantage for drilling resistant materials. An integrated LED work light mounts on a pivoting bracket, directing illumination onto the work area with independent switch control. The rise-and-fall rack system for table positioning operates via crank handle, while lift-and-shift clamping handles secure both the table mounting arm and table itself once positioned.
Construction quality manifests in multiple precision elements. CNC-machined slideways ensure smooth, accurate table movement without play or binding. Ground bases on table mounting components provide flat, parallel surfaces for true positioning. The quill housing achieves precise fit within the headstock casting, eliminating runout and ensuring drilling accuracy. The multi-vee belt system delivers maximum grip while reducing vibration compared to conventional flat belts. Quality NSK bearings in the spindle assembly maintain concentricity under load. When properly installed and bolted to a concrete floor, the substantial 143-kilogram mass combines with rigid construction to produce virtually vibration-free operation, crucial for drilling accuracy and finish quality in precision applications.
Applications
The AP540PD serves professional workshops requiring reliable, accurate drilling across diverse materials. In woodworking applications, the machine handles solid timber and manufactured boards including medium-density fiberboard and plywood. Variable speed selection allows matching rotation speed to bit diameter and material density, with higher speeds appropriate for smaller holes in hardwoods and lower speeds preventing burning in softer species or when using larger diameter bits. The substantial table area accommodates large panels or multiple smaller pieces, while the tilt function enables angled holes for joinery applications.
Metalworking represents a core application category, requiring proper speed selection, appropriate cutting fluids, and secure work holding. The machine's twelve speed settings span the range necessary for drilling various metals, from high speeds for aluminum and brass to lower speeds for steel and other ferrous materials. Rigid construction and precision spindle bearings deliver the accuracy demanded by metal fabrication, where hole positioning tolerances are typically tighter than woodworking requirements. The table tilt function facilitates angled drilling in metal components, while the substantial column and base provide stability when drilling resistant materials that generate high lateral forces.
The machine's professional rating indicates design for businesses with occasional periods of continuous work rather than constant industrial production. This classification suits trade shops, educational workshops, professional craftspeople, and maintenance facilities where quality and durability outweigh the requirements of mass production. School workshops represent an explicitly mentioned application environment, where safety features and robust construction accommodate educational settings. Engineering workshops benefit from the precision and capacity for both metal and composite materials. Fabrication shops appreciate the flexibility to handle varied workpiece sizes, particularly when utilizing the base surface for oversized items that exceed table dimensions.
Operational versatility extends through accessory compatibility. Optional morticing attachments convert the drill to a morticing machine for woodworking joinery. Drill vices in various configurations provide secure work holding for cylindrical, flat, or irregularly shaped workpieces. Drum sanders mounted in the chuck transform the machine into a spindle sander for curved work. The UJK drill table and fence system extends the effective work surface to 610 by 305 millimeters, incorporating positioning guides for repetitive operations. These accessories expand capability beyond basic drilling to encompass diverse workshop tasks while maintaining the fundamental accuracy and power of the underlying machine.
Axminster supports the AP540PD with a comprehensive three-year professional guarantee covering the first year completely except for consumables like belts and abrasives, with years two and three excluding bearings and tyres in addition to consumables. This warranty requires regular maintenance and annual servicing, and becomes void if the machine sees industrial production line use. Technical support is available through telephone and email channels, while the extensive manual provides detailed operating instructions, maintenance schedules, and troubleshooting guidance.