An example of a pillar drill we would hire:-

This general purpose, five speed bench drill is ideal for the hobby or DIY user.

With a 13mm capacity chuck, compact dimensions and a whole host of other useful features, the CDP5DD is ideally suited for the home workshop. It also has a depth gauge and a height adjustable tilting table with slots to clamp your work piece..

For safety there’s a clear Perspex chuck guard and a No Voltage Release switch, so it can’t start unexpectedly should mains power fail temporarily (allowing insurance company approval for use in educational establishments) and it comes fitted with a 13amp plug.

A front mounted reference chart has an accurate depth measurement scale which also shows the 5 drilling speeds available. The chuck is mounted via a B16 taper which also allows the use of taper shank drill bits.