Radial arm drill presses for precise metalworking
Radial arm drill presses are proven machines for workpieces that are too large or too heavy to move under a fixed spindle. The part is clamped on the base plate, and the head is moved to each hole location along a swiveling radial arm. Because of this pivoting arm they are also called radial drills. KNUTH offers several sizes, from the compact radial arm drill press with a long reach to the heavy series with a far-reaching arm.
Design and function of a radial arm drill press
A radial arm drill press is built from a few rugged assemblies that together provide flexible, accurate positioning:
- Machine base: the solid foundation that carries the workpiece and takes the forces during drilling.
- Column: carries the swiveling arm and sets the working radius.
- Radial arm: swivels around the column and adjusts in height, often with a powered height adjustment.
- Head: holds the spindle, drill chuck and feed, and traverses along the arm.
- Quill and spindle mount: guide the tool, with a manual or automatic quill feed.
This puts the spindle over any hole location on a large workpiece without reclamping the part. You will find the specific figures for arm reach, drilling capacity in inches and table size of the machines currently in stock in the product cards above.
Types and equipment
The KNUTH lineup covers the common requirements for radial drilling:
- Compact radial arm drill presses: a long reach in a small footprint, with an automatic quill feed, ideal for shops and one-off work.
- Proven series with a broad size range: variable spindle speed and a feed gearbox for different workpiece sizes.
- Servo-conventional radial arm drill presses: a large touchscreen, variable speed and a servo quill feed, without the effort of full CNC programming.
- High-speed radial arm drill press: several work stations and quick, smooth positioning of the quill for higher throughput.
Applications and industries
Radial arm drill presses are used wherever large or hard-to-move parts have to be drilled accurately:
- Machine building: holes in housings, frames and large assemblies.
- Steel fabrication: holes in heavy beams and welded structures.
- Shipbuilding: machining of large parts such as frames and sections.
- Tool and die making: precise holes and threads in heavy workpieces.
- Maintenance and repair: rework on large equipment, vehicles and plant parts.
Technical features
The value of a radial arm drill press comes down mainly to reach and drive. The key features are the arm reach, the drilling capacity in steel given in inches, a variable speed or fixed speed steps, the automatic quill feed and, depending on the job, a coolant system. Many models handle not only drilling but also tapping, reaming and countersinking. That makes the machine a versatile tool in any metal shop.
Operation: manual or servo-conventional
Conventional radial arm drill presses are set up and run manually. That makes them quick to set up and easy to handle. Servo-conventional models add a touchscreen, variable speed and a servo quill feed, yet stay workable without demanding programming. KNUTH does not offer a pure CNC radial arm drill press lineup in this category. For fully programmed hole patterns in production, machining centers from the milling range are the better fit.
Accessories and tooling
So the machine is productive right away, KNUTH supplies the matching tooling from a single source: drill chucks and collets, drill bits and other tooling, taps and tapping tools, machine vises, clamps and angle plates, plus coolant. You will find an overview under drilling tools.
Why KNUTH
KNUTH is an established supplier of machine tools with a broad drilling lineup: European quality and compliance without the European price. You get quality built to European testing standards, a well-considered selection and personal advice. Machines ship from our US warehouse near Chicago, along with matching drill bits and accessories, so many models are available on short notice. That gives you a durable drilling solution from a single source.
Service, spare parts and availability
Many radial arm drill presses are available on short notice. Our service team handles installation and commissioning on site and trains your crew on the machine. Technical support and our Americas service partners cover the entire KNUTH lineup, and the spare parts warehouse keeps older machines supplied over the long term. You will find details on start-up services and repairs and spare parts.
Related categories
For smaller parts and holes in fixed positions, industrial drill presses are the pick. For combined drilling and milling on large workpieces, milling and boring machines are a good fit. The drilling machines category gives an overview.
Request a radial arm drill press from KNUTH
Want to know which radial arm drill press fits your parts? Request a no-obligation quote. Our specialists advise you on the machine, arm reach and accessories and usually get back to you within one business day.
Further Machine Categories at a Glance
Here is an overview of our machine range. Select a category to learn more about individual machines and their technical data.
