pillar drills

Indeed, Not suggesting one uses it to knock out a bowl or similar, but a small knob, finial or acorn etc you should be ok once locktited in place ;-)

That'll be why they're used on woodturning lathes then.

They are not used for side loads on any lathe unless axial pressure is present as well.

AFAIK those without a drawbar are used as drives and centres on lathes, always with a support at the other end of the workpiece.

I'm just about to advertise a Sealey 16 speed bench pillar drill, 240V, single phase, 1/2 HP, NVR switch, adjustable depth stop, adjustable table in angle and rotation. Any interest?

One of the machine mart ones appears to have an LED speed display. Perhaps the speed is electronically controlled rather than belt controlled in that model?

Exactly where I am.

I was thinking of woodwork only. Hadn't thought of doing any metal work.

Sorry Bob for my lack of replies until now but I have been busy and only re-read this thread today. I am new but enthusiastic about all of this, so have many questions about many tools. When I was at school we weren't taught about any of these, so the only way to learn is ask questions. The replies here are so helpful and detailled and I am very grateful. I am sure that for every one person who posts a question there are twenty lurkers who want to know the same. This thread has taught me a lot and I am sure it has taught many other people a lot too. If it does go into the wiki, it will help even more people.

Not really possible with an induction motor.

Well, you may need to use say a holesaw. To perhaps cut large holes in plywood or whatever. I recently did (2") and my 500 watt one worked just fine - the older 250 watt one would stall.

Sounds like you may find this a handy starting point: