Drill Press

[Steve_S]

I need to buy a drill press but I don't want the typical Chinese-made stuff. Anything affordable out there, preferably US-made? My budget isn't high, maybe $300 or so.

It will either need to be floor standing or able to be put on a rolling base or cabinet of some sort because I don't have room to keep it out where it's easily accessible. I'll have to roll it out when needed.

[SteveU]

I have a 12 speed 1hp delta which works good & is somewhat close to your budget. This is floor standing but is light enough that you can either pick it up or dolly it around on a 2 wheel cart. Delta & Jet are 2 of the better known names of this type equipment & Powermatic makes good stuff & I believe are made in the states but tend to be more money.

[-lecroix-]

Jet is Asian made equipment. It is also known as junk in machine shop circles.

[l_bilyk]

Wow you're gonna be 'pressed' finding a new USA made drill press

AFAIK most of them, if not all are made offshore

[ImportTuner]

Where are the one's from Sears made at? not USA ... I don't own a drill press ..

[eschoendorff]

Where are the one's from Sears made at? not USA ... I don't own a drill press ..
China. Sucks, huh?

[wilbilt]

I have a benchtop Craftsman (it was a gift). It retails for around $100. It is the exact same machine HF sells for $39 on sale. I don't think you will find a homeowner-range DP that isn't from Chaiwan.

I also have a benchtop Craftsman from the 1950s. It is one heavy SOB, but it just won't die.

If you really want a US-made unit, look on ebay or craigslist for an older model that is close enough to pick up. Older Powermatic or Walker-Turner would be good finds.

[Charles (in GA)]

For general shop use a decent quality Taiwan made press is quite sufficient. The only US made presses nowdays are high dollar industrial stuff like Clausing and a few others. I have a Taiwan made Dayton (Grainger house brand) 20 inch model that is quite a horse. It has a 4 inch column and I got it on a scratch and dent sale. It had fallen on the front of its head and the switch was destroyed and the front of the head cracked from top to bottom. This area of the head is thin and serves no purpose other than for looks and mounting the switch. I put a fwd/off/rev switch on it (it had a reversable motor on it) and it drills quite straight.

While everyone wants US made, it isn't going to happen and unless you find a good older press that is not worn out, or broken (and you cannot get parts) they you will have to settle for a good foreign press. Taiwan made machine tools are of generally good quality and some of the China made stuff is decent too, you just have to look carefully.

Charles

[bmwpower]

Seek and ye shall find...

http://cgi.ebay.com/POWERMATIC-15-VARIABLE-SPEED-DRILL-PRESS-1150_W0QQitemZ130078532695QQihZ003QQcategoryZ12579 QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item130078532695

http://cgi.ebay.com/ROCKWELL-DELTA-VARIABLE-SPEED-DRILL-PRESS_W0QQitemZ230089611247QQihZ013QQcategoryZ6691 7QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item230089611247

http://cgi.ebay.com/Delta-Rockwell-Floor-Model-Drill-Press_W0QQitemZ260085602500QQihZ016QQcategoryZ6722 6QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item260085602500

[-lecroix-]

Sorry to say, the Clausing is not American made anymore.

[Steve_S]

Thanks all! The first place I went was Sears and as expected it was all Chinese. Lots of plastic, too. I will probably keep an eye out for something used and local.

[Down Under Bloke]

Seek and ye shall find...

http://cgi.ebay.com/POWERMATIC-15-VARIABLE-SPEED-DRILL-PRESS-1150_W0QQitemZ130078532695QQihZ003QQcategoryZ12579 QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item130078532695

http://cgi.ebay.com/ROCKWELL-DELTA-VARIABLE-SPEED-DRILL-PRESS_W0QQitemZ230089611247QQihZ013QQcategoryZ6691 7QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item230089611247

http://cgi.ebay.com/Delta-Rockwell-Floor-Model-Drill-Press_W0QQitemZ260085602500QQihZ016QQcategoryZ6722 6QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item260085602500


I think you may have missed the bit about easily movable :lol_hitti ; but dang I'd find a space for any of those presses.

Vintage presses and other equipment, I can see a thread in that, anyone want to start one.:thumbup:

[JohnHenrys48]

A little off topic, but this reminded me. I had a summer job working for the SD DOT. All the machines in the machine shop came as salvage from a WWII era US Naval vessel. They were huge and very well made. I don't think any single piece could have been moved without a fork lift, that included the drill press and grinder. Everything was painted battle ship grey. We spent hours in there on rainy days messing with them. That was over 20 years ago. I wish I had paid more attention.

[Flathead Youngin']

buy used, old, american.....watch craigslist and ebay local to you......usually some good deals on old equip.

[Uncle Buck]

buy used, old, american.....watch craigslist and ebay local to you......usually some good deals on old equip.

me too! :+1: