DRILLING MACHINES
Watchmaking primarily uses vertical drilling machines or a drill press. These ensure perfectly perpendicular drilling to the surface plane or allow precise control over the angle (with a tilting table). Machining centres and many automatic machines can drill with great accuracy. However, the vertical drilling machine is still favoured for artisanal work or any quick operation. In addition to drilling, it can also be used for tapping and various decorative processes (deburring, circular graining, etc.). In most cases, the vertical movement of the spindle and drill bit is controlled by a lever operated by the artisan’s finger. This allows the artisan to feel the material, reducing the risk of breaking a drill bit. This is aptly referred to as a “sensitive drill.”