Finding the Right Clausing Drill Press Table: Fit and Model Checks

Clausing built drill presses for shops that expected machines to last decades, and many still run today. That longevity creates a specific problem: you want a better table for your Clausing, but the machine may be older than the salesperson helping you, and Clausing made several models over the years. So the useful question is not “what is the best table” but “what fits this particular Clausing.” Answer that, and you can choose confidently between a bought aftermarket top and a shop-made one.

A drill press table for a Clausing is either the original factory table or an upgrade, an aftermarket top or a shop-made surface, that mounts to the existing table or column. Because Clausing built varied models, fit depends on your machine’s table size, column, and mounting. The upgrade adds a fence, a stop block, and a replaceable insert for better work holding.

Short answer: identify your Clausing model and measure its existing table and column first, then choose an aftermarket top that mounts to it or build one from a plan. Fit comes from your specific machine, not the Clausing name alone.

Start with your model

Clausing produced drill presses across many years, so the first move is to identify your exact machine and measure what it has: the existing table size, the column diameter, and how the table clamps and raises. Those numbers tell you whether an aftermarket top will bolt on and whether a shop-made table’s mounting can be adapted. Without them, you are guessing, and a table that does not fit the column or clamp is useless.

What a table upgrade adds

A good table upgrade brings features the bare factory casting lacks: an adjustable fence for repeatable positioning, a stop block for consistent hole spacing, and a removable insert so the bit exits into sacrificial material instead of the table. A commercial example like the WEN DPA2412T shows the pattern, an MDF-style top with an adjustable fence and stop block. Shop-made plans from IBUILDIT and Woodsmith deliver the same features and let you size the top and its mounting to your Clausing.

Check before buying or building

• Model and measurements. Identify the Clausing and measure the table, column, and clamp.
• Mounting. Confirm an aftermarket top bolts to your table, or that a plan’s mounting adapts to it.
• Size and clearance. The new top should suit your work without fouling the column or travel.
• Insert and fence. Look for a replaceable insert and an adjustable fence with a stop block.

Bought top versus a shop-made table

Against a shop-made table, a bought aftermarket top wins on convenience and a finished fence system, and loses on guaranteed fit to an older Clausing and on the materials you supply yourself. A shop-made top from a plan fits your exact machine and can be sized precisely, but it takes time to build. For a quick upgrade, buy; for a perfect fit to a vintage Clausing, build. You can compare a drill press table with fence with the T-track and hardware to build your own.

Building or fitting one

1. Identify your Clausing model and measure the table, column, and mounting.
2. Choose an aftermarket top that bolts to your table, or a plan sized to your machine.
3. Mount the top flat and secure so it cannot shift, clearing the column and travel.
4. Fit the fence, stop block, and a replaceable insert under the bit.
5. Clamp the work, set the correct speed, wear eye protection, and keep clear of the chuck, per OSHA and CCOHS.

Who should read this

If you own a Clausing and want better work holding, start by measuring the machine, then buy a top that fits or build one to match. If your Clausing is an unusual or very old model, a shop-made table from a plan is the surest route to a good fit.

Bottom line

The right table for a Clausing drill press is the one that fits your specific model, so identify the machine and measure the table, column, and mounting before anything else. Then choose a bought top that bolts on for convenience, or build one from a plan for an exact fit. Either way, aim for a fence, a stop block, and a replaceable insert.

• Identify your Clausing model and measure the table, column, and clamp first.
• A bought top is convenient; a shop-made one guarantees fit to an older machine.
• Aim for an adjustable fence, a stop block, and a replaceable insert.

FAQ

How do I find a table that fits my Clausing? Identify your exact model and measure the existing table, column diameter, and mounting. Fit depends on those, not the brand name.

Can I buy an aftermarket top for a Clausing? Often yes, if it bolts to your existing table. Confirm the mounting matches your machine before buying.

Should I build my own table instead? A shop-made top from a plan fits an older or unusual Clausing exactly and adds a fence and insert, though it takes build time.

What features should the table have? An adjustable fence, a stop block for repeatable spacing, and a removable insert so the bit exits into sacrificial material.

Why measure the column? The table mounts around or to the column, so its diameter and the clamp style decide whether a top or plan will fit.

Will a new top reduce drilling depth? A thick top raises the work, so confirm your spindle travel still reaches your tallest parts after mounting.

References

• WEN DPA2412T Drill Press Table: https://wenproducts.com/products/24-by-12-inch-drill-press-table-with-an-adjustable-fence-and-stop-block-t
• IBUILDIT Drill Press Table Plans: https://ibuildit.ca/plans/drill-press-table/
• Woodsmith Drill Press Table Plan: https://www.woodsmithplans.com/plan/pw-drill-press-table/