Mill-drill machine

The mill-drill machine is a hybrid that combines the vertical drilling function of the column drill press with the X/Y table travel typical of a milling machine, enabling drilling, light milling, counterboring and shoulder operations without repositioning the workpiece. It does not reach the structural rigidity of a dedicated vertical milling machine, but offers far more than a simple drill press: it can perform slots, rectangular pockets and simple profiles in soft metals, aluminium and engineering plastics. In the maker context it is a very popular solution for those who want a step up from a column drill without the investment and footprint of a true milling machine. Several entry-level models (such as Sieg X2, WM16) are among the best-selling machines in catalogues for precision hobby machinists.