Pocket hole drilling machine

A drilling machine, comprising:

• a cabinet;
• a top plate connected to the cabinet;
• the top plate formed of a single piece of material;
• an opening positioned within the top plate;
• an insert plate inserted within the opening;
• a drill bit opening positioned within the insert plate;
• wherein a drill bit extends and retracts through the drill bit opening at an angle to the top plate.

A drilling machine, comprising:

• a cabinet;
• a top plate connected to the cabinet;
• a drill motor positioned within the cabinet and connected to an actuating mechanism;
• a handle connected to the actuating mechanism;
• a clamping assembly connected to the actuating mechanism;
• wherein the cabinet is formed of a single monolithic molded piece having a plurality of walls;
• wherein the walls include a plurality of structural features therein that provide structural rigidity to the cabinet.

A drilling machine, comprising:

• a cabinet;
• a first plate connected to the cabinet;
• the first plate having a pair of hinges;
• the hinges having a socket portion, an adjustment member, and a cradle having an arcuate recess in its top surface;
• a second plate connected to the first plate;
• the second plate having a pair of connection members which are received by the cradle;
• wherein the second plate is leveled with respect to the first plate by adjustment of the adjustment members.

A drilling machine, comprising:

• a cabinet;
• a top plate connected to the cabinet;
• a drill motor positioned within the cabinet and connected to a bracket;
• a handle connected to the bracket;
• a locking mechanism connected to the cabinet;
• wherein the handle is movable between an open position and a closed position;
• wherein movement of the handle causes movement of the bracket;
• and
• wherein when the handle is pulled to a closed position a portion of the bracket is selectively engaged by the locking mechanism, thereby locking the handle in a closed position.

A drilling machine, comprising:

• a cabinet;
• a plate connected to the cabinet;
• a drill motor positioned within the cabinet and connected to an actuating mechanism;
• a handle connected to the actuating mechanism;
• a clamping assembly connected to the actuating mechanism;
• and
• wherein the drill motor has a quick release chuck having a spring loaded collar to facilitate quick drill bit changes;
• wherein the plate tilts with respect to the cabinet thereby providing access to the quick release chuck to facilitate removal and replacement of a drill bit held by the quick release chuck.

A drilling machine, comprising;

• a cabinet;
• a top plate connected to the cabinet;
• a drill motor positioned within the cabinet and connected to an actuating mechanism;
• the actuating mechanism having a handle, wherein the handle is connected to an axel shaft;
• the actuating mechanism having an actuating bracket connected to the axel shaft;
• a clamping assembly connected to the actuating mechanism;
• wherein the handle is moveable between an up position and a down position;
• wherein when moved, the handle rotates upon an axis of rotation of the axle shaft;
• and
• wherein the axis of rotation of the axle shaft is positioned at or below the top plate and within the cabinet.

A drilling machine system, comprising;

• a cabinet;
• a plate connected to the cabinet;
• the plate having a drill bit opening therein;
• a drill motor positioned within the cabinet and connected to an actuating mechanism;
• the drill motor having a first drill bit connected thereto;
• the drill motor slidable between a non-drilling position and a drilling position, wherein when in a drilling position the first drill bit extends partially through the drill bit opening;
• a first drill bit guide connected to the plate and held in place using a fastener;
• wherein the first drill bit guide is removable and replaceable by removing and replacing the fastener;
• wherein the plate tilts with respect to the cabinet thereby providing access to the first drill bit and the first drill bit guide for removal and replacement of the first drill bit and the first drill bit guide.

A drilling machine system, comprising:

• a first plate;
• a second plate positioned within the first plate and connected to the first plate;
• the second plate having a guide block formed as part of a bottom surface of the second plate, the guide block having a drill bit opening and a first guide rod opening and a second guide rod opening;
• a drill bit guide positioned within the drill bit opening and held in place by a fastener;
• a first guide rod positioned in the first guide rod opening, and
• a second guide rod positioned in the second guide rod opening;
• a drilling assembly connected to the first guide rod and the second guide rod;
• wherein the drilling assembly slides along the first guide rod and the second guide rod in a drilling direction.