Magnetic drill press

Abstract

A magnetic drill press includes a magnetic base coupled to a base housing for selective engagement with a ferromagnetic workpiece. A motor carriage is slidably coupled to the base housing, and an electric motor is supported by the motor carriage. A bit is received by the electric motor for rotation about a bit axis. An illumination system has at least one illuminator module coupled to a surface of the magnetic base. The at least one illuminator module is aligned to illuminate a work area of the workpiece.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A magnetic drill press comprising:
 a base housing;   a magnetic base coupled to the base housing for selective engagement with a ferromagnetic workpiece;   a motor carriage slidably coupled to the base housing;   an electric motor supported by the motor carriage;   a bit received by the electric motor for rotation about a bit axis; and   an illumination system, the illumination system having at least one illuminator module coupled to a surface of the magnetic base, the at least one illuminator module aligned to illuminate a work area of the workpiece.   
     
     
         2 . The magnetic drill press of  claim 1 , wherein the illumination system is powered independent of the motor. 
     
     
         3 . The magnetic drill press of  claim 2 , wherein the illumination system is powered by a battery. 
     
     
         4 . The magnetic drill press of  claim 1 , wherein the motor and the illumination system are selectively controlled by a motor control switch. 
     
     
         5 . The magnetic drill press of  claim 4 , wherein the motor control switch is coupled to the base housing. 
     
     
         6 . The magnetic drill press of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one illuminator module includes a laser. 
     
     
         7 . The magnetic drill press of  claim 1 , wherein at least one illuminator module includes a light-emitting diode. 
     
     
         8 . The magnetic drill press of  claim 1 , further including a spindle assembly supported by the base housing and coupled to the motor carriage for selectively positioning the motor carriage relative to the bit axis. 
     
     
         9 . The magnetic drill press of  claim 8 , wherein a handle assembly is coupled to the spindle assembly for user actuation of the motor carriage. 
     
     
         10 . The magnetic drill press of  claim 9 , wherein the handle assembly includes a ratchet assembly for positioning the motor carriage by reciprocating motion of the handle assembly. 
     
     
         11 . A magnetic drill press comprising:
 a base housing;   a magnetic base coupled to the base housing for selective engagement with a ferromagnetic workpiece;   a motor carriage slidably coupled to the base housing;   an electric motor supported by the motor carriage;   a bit received by the electric motor for rotation about a bit axis;   a motor housing coupled to the motor carriage; and   a laser coupled to the motor housing for illumination of the workpiece along the bit axis, the laser supported by the motor carriage for movement with the motor.   
     
     
         12 . The magnetic drill press of  claim 11 , wherein the laser is selectively controlled by a motor control switch. 
     
     
         13 . The magnetic drill press of  claim 12 , wherein the motor control switch is coupled to the base housing. 
     
     
         14 . The magnetic drill press of  claim 11 , wherein the laser is powered by a battery. 
     
     
         15 . The magnetic drill press of  claim 11 , wherein the laser is partially disposed within the motor housing. 
     
     
         16 . The magnetic drill press of  claim 11 , further including a spindle assembly supported by the base housing and coupled to the motor carriage for selectively positioning the motor carriage relative to the bit axis. 
     
     
         17 . The magnetic drill press of  claim 16 , wherein a handle assembly is coupled to the spindle assembly for user actuation of the motor carriage. 
     
     
         18 . The magnetic drill press of  claim 17 , wherein the handle assembly includes a ratchet assembly for positioning the motor carriage by reciprocating motion of the handle assembly. 
     
     
         19 . A magnetic drill press comprising:
 a base housing;   a magnetic base coupled to the base housing for selective engagement with a ferromagnetic workpiece;   a motor carriage slidably coupled to the base housing;   an electric motor supported by the motor carriage;   a bit received by the electric motor for rotation about a bit axis;   a motor housing coupled to the motor carriage; and   a workpiece illumination system coupled to at least one of the motor carriage, the base housing, and the magnetic base for illumination of the ferromagnetic workpiece along the bit axis.   
     
     
         20 . The magnetic drill press of  claim 19 , wherein the workpiece illumination system is housed within the motor housing.