Topic: Drill press

[FourbangerYJ]

I'm asking Mrs. Santa for one. I was looking at one at Lowes.
http://www.lowes.com/pd_78742-46069-PCB660DP_0__?productId=3162489&Ntt=drill+press&pl=1&currentURL=%2Fpl__0__s%3FNtt%3Ddrill%2Bpress
I don't know how much I'll use one. But I know they come in handy.
Anyone have a drill press. Anything I should look for or stay away from?
I like the one linked since it has a 1HP motor. Others I looked at are 1/2 HP and they don't have a laser.

[aw12345]

Harbor freight has some decent ones for a reasonable price. 1hp motor is good also look for a table on it that has the crank setup so it does not slide down while drilling, the laser thing is more a gadget than anything.

[sharpxmen]

i was thinking harborfreight also but just checked and the 1HP floor drill press is $369 so this one at $299 is a better deal (and has 3 years warranty so that's better since h/f one has only 90 days)

the only thing is the low speed at 300rpm is a bit high

[jfrabat]

I have a Harbor Freight, and one thing I dont like about it is that the press allows the drill to tilt a bit, so if you try to make a hole right next to another hole, the bit will actually slide in to the first hole...  Not exactly what I expected from a drill press, but considering I paid like $50 for it, I wont complain TOO much...

[FourbangerYJ]

The stand up HF one I have seen run have a bit to much runout. I was trying to stay away from HF. 
Seems like all the brands are made in China now 

[Jeffy]

Buy a used one then.  Mine is a really old one from the 50/60's but the GrandFather was a GM Tool & Die man so he knew quality.

Forgot to mention, at Maker Faire, I saw some JET stuff.  They looked impressive.  If I didn't have a drill press already I might consider this one: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00004T9L0?ie=UTF8&tag=wwwgalttechco-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00004T9L0  Free shipping too.

[FourbangerYJ]

Buy a used one then.  Mine is a really old one from the 50/60's but the GrandFather was a GM Tool & Die man so he knew quality.

Forgot to mention, at Maker Faire, I saw some JET stuff.  They looked impressive.  If I didn't have a drill press already I might consider this one: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00004T9L0?ie=UTF8&tag=wwwgalttechco-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00004T9L0  Free shipping too.

I looked on CL for my area. I didn't see anything worth buying.
The Jet looks nice. 3/4 HP the RPM low speed is 200 which is pretty good.

What makes one press better than another besides the motor size and how many speeds?

[TrailsLessTaken]

My grandpa gave me his old shopsmith which you can use as a horizontal or vertical drill press It works out pretty nice.  Since its set up to be used as a lathe also it has a decent sized bearings on the head so it doesnt wobble along with variable rpms and i think its a 1.5-2hp motor.  I have seen them on craigslist here for as cheap as 150 or so.  I have used mine a ton since i got it a couple months ago, the only downside is the space it takes up

[FourbangerYJ]

You bring up a good point Bob, where would I put one? I'll have to make room. I have no idea how often I'll use it. There have been a few projects where it would have been real nice to have one. My garage is pretty small with the Jeep in there.

[TrailsLessTaken]

Mine takes up some room, but with having that I can get rid of my table saw now but I also gained a bandsaw and belt/disc sander so besides being nice for wood working its got some stuff that i can use on the auto side as well

[redYJrider]

I agree with Jeffy about buying an old one. They seriously don't make em like they use to. I prefer a bench top drill press instead of the pedestal type. the pedestals are not sturdy at all. Also pay attention to the height adjustment mechanism. Even alot of the crank/gear type are made pretty cheaply and the rack gear will separate from the pedestal making it useless. Tell them you want to watch it run with a bit in it before you buy it too. That will let you see how straight the spindle is. It's hard to drill an 1/8" hole when your drill chuck wobbles out 1/2".

[Jeffy]

There doesn't seem to be a lot of info on the PC.  I know JET had a good customer service.  What you'll find is that most commercial drill presses are for woodworking with some metal.  So they have features leaning towards that.  The metal working drills typically have better gears for a bit more precision built heavier.  Larger quill for stability, etc...

JET's metalworking drill press would be more like this (2 Year Warranty): http://www.amazon.com/J-2500-15-Inch-4-Horsepower-115-Volt-Floor/dp/B002Q9T5PE/ref=sr_1_2?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1292880577&sr=1-2

Although I do like this one as well.  The new larger table is nice.  It had a 5 year warranty as opposed to the 2 year (JDP-17MF is also 5 years): http://www.amazon.com/JDP-17DX-17-Inch-Wood-Drill-Press/dp/B001KQFJZE/ref=sr_1_35?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1292881203&sr=1-35

The only problem I could see if if the whole press needs to be returned.  Going through Amazon might be difficult.  I have returned stuff to them but you pay shipping.  Being able to drag it to the store is nice.

Also, I wouldn't mind an old B&D or just about any brand that was from 20 or more years ago.  That was when the standard line was more HD and you really didn't need the Professional line.  I'm not sure if they would be made in the US though as many were still made in Taiwan in the 80's.  Still, a lot better quality then some of the cheaper ones today.

Stanley Black & Decker owns Porter Cable, Black & Decker, Delta, Dewalt etc...

[sharpxmen]

Buy a used one then.  Mine is a really old one from the 50/60's but the GrandFather was a GM Tool & Die man so he knew quality.

Forgot to mention, at Maker Faire, I saw some JET stuff.  They looked impressive.  If I didn't have a drill press already I might consider this one: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00004T9L0?ie=UTF8&tag=wwwgalttechco-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00004T9L0  Free shipping too.

looks like it's the same drill as this one from h/f ($199 vs . $479) http://www.harborfreight.com/garage-shop/stationary-drill-press/16-speed-floor-drill-press-43378.html

[Jeffy]

looks like it's the same drill as this one from h/f ($199 vs . $479) http://www.harborfreight.com/garage-shop/stationary-drill-press/16-speed-floor-drill-press-43378.html

Not the same drill press.

[sharpxmen]

Not the same drill press.

very close though, h/f is a little smaller (not by much)

Jet
16-1/2-Inch drill press; 13-3/4-Inch table tilts 45-Degree left and right
16 speeds from 200 to 3,630 rpm; 3/4-horsepower motor
Cast-iron construction with heavy-steel components
Includes drill press, drill chuck and key; bulb for work light not-included
178-Pound; 1-year limited warranty
Length:   54.50 in
Width:   23.50 in
Height:   12.80 in

H/F
Horsepower   3/4
Table is accurately gauged and tilts to 45° left or right, for angle boring
16 spindle speeds ranging from 220 to 3600 RPM
Throat depth: 6-1/2''
Swing: 13''
Spindle stroke: 3-1/8''
Table diameter: 11-3/4"
Column diameter: 2-7/8"
Height: 63-1/4
90 day warranty