PROXXON TBM 220 (28128)

Miniature Small Hole Drilling Machine

At first glance, PROXXON TBM 220 may seem like some kind of toy. Not at all. This is a full-fledged drilling machine, albeit a miniature one. In principle, it is no different from its "adult" counterparts, which are used in the workshops of enterprises, except for its very compact size and the features arising from them. The key one is low power. An engine with a power of only 85 W is not enough for everyone. Such machines are used where the priority is not power, but accuracy - in workshops that make jewelry and bijouterie, make parts for the needs of optics and precision mechanics, drill holes in printed circuit boards for electronics, and also design scale models.

Brief overview of the design

Like other vertical type drilling machines, PROXXON TBM 220 consists of a base plate (cast aluminium alloy, 120x220 mm), a vertical column (hardened chrome steel, height 340 mm, diameter 20 mm) and a “head”, inside which are an electric motor, pulleys belt drive and spindle lowering mechanism (stroke 30 mm). The "head" can move up and down the column, fixing the position is carried out with the help of two clamps. The machine is high-speed, has three speeds (1800, 4700 and 8500 rpm). The convenient lever used to feed the drill allows you to accurately dose the pressure. The adjustment scale with a detent allows precise adjustment of the drilling depth and allows you to make a series of identical holes.

Unlimited possibilities for improvement and customization

This machine has a collet chuck (the solution is not optimal, but quite understandable, given the size of the equipment). It comes with 6 collets of different sizes for tooling with shanks from 1 to 3.2 mm in diameter. If you prefer other ways of fixing miniature drills, PROXXON has provided many options to solve this problem in the form of interchangeable chucks of different types and sizes. Due to the fact that the machine shaft has a 3/8" thread, all chucks of the corresponding standard are suitable for it. In addition to them, the manufacturer produces many useful accessories and devices that expand the capabilities of drilling machines of this brand. To make work more convenient and accurate, you can buy, for example, a PROXXON MS 4 vice. And in the catalog of accessories for PROXXON equipment there are even such interesting things as the PROXXON KT 70 coordinate tables (with a handwheel) and PROXXON KT 50 (with stepper motors that allow you to convert the PROXXON TBM 220 into a machine with CNC).

The one and only

Other manufacturers of such small drilling machines practically do not produce, offering to do with engraving machines or drills, fixing them in racks and clamps. But they don't come close to providing the same drilling accuracy and the same levels of comfort and safety while working. And larger machines can't be as easily transported as the PROXXON TBM 220, which weighs just 3.3kg, placed on a desk to work, or tucked away in a nightstand when not needed. It is also worth noting that this machine is very quiet (thanks to the low-power motor, of course). Noise from it does not exceed 70 dB. Therefore, it can be used in an apartment or drilled on a balcony, without really annoying the household and neighbors.

But if the power of 85 W categorically does not suit you, we suggest that you take a closer look at the 300-watt PROXXON TBH drilling machine from the same manufacturer (it costs, however, more than twice as much).