Best Drill Press under $1,000

[Stefan S]

I'm looking for a floor drill press under 1000 bucks that would be suitable (variable) for drilling more metal than wood. I've seen and researched a number includeing the Powermatic PM2800 - Delta 950l, Jet JDP-17dx and some Rikon's... I'm coming up with a lot of mixed reviews and I can't tell whether the extra money really gets you all that better of a tool.

While I would love to buy something used and US built I am coming up empty on craigslist and what is available looks pretty rusty.

Where should I start looking?

 

[alan camby]

I would like to see and use one of these before I would consider buying.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004T9L1/?tag=atomicindus08-20
I am sure that it is a China DP.
Grizzly makes one that is almost the same. The Jet goes down to 150rpm and the Griz 210rpm.
http://www.grizzly.com/products/12-Speed-20-Floor-Drill-Press/G7948

Some say these are junk and some love them. I hate buying something without seeing it in person

 

[A_Pmech]

Cincinnati "Super Service" drills come available somewhat regularly in the $1,000 and under price point if you keep your eyes peeled and remain patient. I'd classify them as the best drill press available for metalworking, but perhaps not what you had in mind.

 

[Stefan S]

Cincinnati "Super Service" drills come available somewhat regularly in the $1,000 and under price point if you keep your eyes peeled and remain patient. I'd classify them as the best drill press available for metalworking, but perhaps not what you had in mind.

Certainly a sweet looking machine but i don't think it would fit heieght wise

 

[alan camby]

Cincinnati "Super Service" drills come available somewhat regularly in the $1,000 and under price point if you keep your eyes peeled and remain patient. I'd classify them as the best drill press available for metalworking, but perhaps not what you had in mind.

Unless you are 4 foot tall, that would not fit in my garage

 

[MP&C]

This Rockwell-Delta radial arm drill press cost me $116 plus a single phase motor. It's amazing how 3 phase scares people away..

 

[Richard D]

I've seen these clausing DP go for anywhere from $300 to $2400 used, way better than that China grizzly ****. I got mine free! The Rolls Royce of drill presses.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=61465
You may also find a used milling machine for under a grand. Where are you located?

 

[Stefan S]

I've seen these clausing DP go for anywhere from $300 to $2400 used, way better than that China grizzly ****. I got mine free! The Rolls Royce of drill presses.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=61465
You may also find a used milling machine for under a grand. Where are you located?

I'm located outside of Boston. Thanks for posting the link to your machine!

 

[Kevin54]

Keep an eye out for a good used Bridgeport mill. It'll make a hell of a drill press plus you can use it for what it was intended... as a mill

 

[Trey T]

Probably not gonna find any new US made DP anymore.

I'm looking out for some old geared head DP for both drill pressing and milling from Rockwell, Wilton, or Arboga. They seems to be very rare, more than Bridgeport. Bridgeport is just too big for my garage or need.

 

[alan camby]

Probably not gonna find any new US made DP anymore.

I'm looking out for some old geared head DP for both drill pressing and milling from Rockwell, Wilton, or Arboga. They seems to be very rare, more than Bridgeport. Bridgeport is just too big for my garage or need.

Don't think you can mill with a DP. Chuck will fall out of taper

 

[ilovevocs]

^ Either way the bearings in the spindle are designed to resist axial loads. Even if it did work physically I can't imagine it holding good tolerance or having mild longevity.

 

[nutjob]

Check out this place:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/m.html?_odkw=&item=290609328174&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&_osacat=0&hash=item43a9aa702e&_ssn=mikekandu&_trksid=p2046732.m570.l1313&_nkw=drill+press&_sacat=0&_from=R40

He is up near Hartford CT area. I have been to his place and never seen so many Bridgeport's for sale!

Kevin

 

[alan camby]

I really like the Ellis DP. Wonder if it is made in the USA.
The price is out of the OP's budget though.
http://www.ellissaw.com/Drill-Presses/43/drill-press-9400

 

[Stefan S]

Buffalo forge model 15? What are your thoughts?

 

[930dreamer]

I found a project Bridgeport mill for $750 on CL, didn't buy it though.

 

[Richard D]

I really like the Ellis DP. Wonder if it is made in the USA.
The price is out of the OP's budget though.
http://www.ellissaw.com/Drill-Presses/43/drill-press-9400

I read thier "about us" page, seems as so...

 

[alan camby]

I read thier "about us" page, seems as so...

I looked around the web and found a thread where a Ellis owner said the castings were made in China.

Guess it does not mater. Way out of my price range.

Spent some time looking over Ebay and Craig's list. Could not find anything of interest.

I would like a 15" thru 20" Floor press. Would prefer step pulleys and a 3 phase 220 motor. Most of the presses don't go slow enough fr my taste. If i go 3 phase I will put the belt on slowest speed and reduce further with VFD.

Like most on here, really like old US iron.

 

[454ragtop]

Buffalo forge model 15? What are your thoughts?

That's a good drill press if in good shape. How about this one http://worcester.craigslist.org/tls/3586591524.html
HTH, Jim

 

[Glacial_Speed]

I'm located outside of Boston. Thanks for posting the link to your machine!

Well if you can handle using a VFD or just swapping a 3 phase for a single phase motor then there are a few good looking machines on craigslist. I purchased a 240V (only) TEFC 1 hp single phase off ebay for $80 including shipping for a drill press rebuild and it worked out fine.

This is a month old but there's a clausing 22V for $600 out in Shrewsbury.

http://worcester.craigslist.org/tls/3532076040.html

IMHO, more press than any of the new stuff listed.

Another clausing down in Rhode Island but it's only a 15" model 1660 bench style and no pic....only $250.

http://providence.craigslist.org/tls/3547190928.html

Nice old Delta 17" (about a 5 inch quill travel) for only $100 also in Rhode Island
http://providence.craigslist.org/tls/3582997830.html

And a very serious looking 3 phase Powermatic 1200 over in Millbury for $800.
http://boston.craigslist.org/bmw/tls/3555133750.html

I think if you figure on spending another $200 for a single phase motor and swapping out then there are machines worth buying...or you can play in the VFD variable speed route. (teco FM50 from factorymation perhaps?).

The one that got away? A $200 clausing with a 3 phase motor......never ever look on craigslist if you can't buy

EDIT: You could always look over at plaza machinery in Vermont for a used drill press or parts for a drill press. And if you want to convert a bench model to a floor model that's also possible....and lally columns come in 3.5" and 4" diameter.

 

[Stefan S]

Well if you can handle using a VFD or just swapping a 3 phase for a single phase motor then there are a few good looking machines on craigslist. I purchased a 240V (only) TEFC 1 hp single phase off ebay for $80 including shipping for a drill press rebuild and it worked out fine.

This is a month old but there's a clausing 22V for $600 out in Shrewsbury.

http://worcester.craigslist.org/tls/3532076040.html

IMHO, more press than any of the new stuff listed.

Another clausing down in Rhode Island but it's only a 15" model 1660 bench style and no pic....only $250.

http://providence.craigslist.org/tls/3547190928.html

Nice old Delta 17" (about a 5 inch quill travel) for only $100 also in Rhode Island
http://providence.craigslist.org/tls/3582997830.html

And a very serious looking 3 phase Powermatic 1200 over in Millbury for $800.
http://boston.craigslist.org/bmw/tls/3555133750.html

I think if you figure on spending another $200 for a single phase motor and swapping out then there are machines worth buying...or you can play in the VFD variable speed route. (teco FM50 from factorymation perhaps?).

The one that got away? A $200 clausing with a 3 phase motor......never ever look on craigslist if you can't buy

EDIT: You could always look over at plaza machinery in Vermont for a used drill press or parts for a drill press. And if you want to convert a bench model to a floor model that's also possible....and lally columns come in 3.5" and 4" diameter.

I bought but couldn't take the first clausing on this list seems like a nice machine. Thanks!!!

 

[A_Pmech]

Certainly a sweet looking machine but i don't think it would fit heieght wise

With a little clever rigging the smaller 21" and 24" machines will fit under an 8' or so ceiling if you punch a hole into the attic for the spindle and feed box drive shafts.

The Clausing and Powermatic drills as posted earlier are good choices in light-duty belt drive machines.

Another good choice would be a Strands machine. Strands made several different models over the years. They look more like a conventional light-duty drill press most people would be familiar with except they're gear driven.

 

[kevin47]

I was gonna say I got a Kandia Milling machine for $1000 bucks for drilling when my Acra Milling machine is *******....

 

[Stefan S]

With a little clever rigging the smaller 21" and 24" machines will fit under an 8' or so ceiling if you punch a hole into the attic for the spindle and feed box drive shafts.

The Clausing and Powermatic drills as posted earlier are good choices in light-duty belt drive machines.

Another good choice would be a Strands machine. Strands made several different models over the years. They look more like a conventional light-duty drill press most people would be familiar with except they're gear driven.

I think the clausing will more than meet my needs while also meeting my space requirements. I'm very confident I am getting a much better press than if I were to purchase new. Now to figure out a way to move all 600 lbs of it safely!!

 

[sharkytm]

I'm in the same area (Cape Cod), and have been searching for a drill press or milling machine for a while. That powermatic has a seriously chewed up table.

Good luck. If you see anything else in the area, lemme know.

 

[Richard D]

The Clausing and Powermatic drills as posted earlier are good choices in light-duty belt drive machines.

May be "light duty" but a damn substantial machine! Clausing still makes them (about $5,000)as well as accessories.

 

[trboxman]

This Rockwell-Delta radial arm drill press cost me $116 plus a single phase motor. It's amazing how 3 phase scares people away..

I'd love a 3 phase drill...slap a VFD controller on there and have a great electronically adjustable speed DP.

 

[454ragtop]

I think the clausing will more than meet my needs while also meeting my space requirements. I'm very confident I am getting a much better press than if I were to purchase new. Now to figure out a way to move all 600 lbs of it safely!!

If you can get a pickup to it, or it to a pickup, I'd unbolt the head from the table and set it on a tire without a wheel in it, handle side up. Then the table could be lifted a little at a time, set it on blocks, and tip it into the back of the truck. Or use an engine crane. Might even be able to unbolt the legs from the table.
Good luck, Jim

 

[volaredon]

I got a Rockwell Delta floor model, I looked it up at the time I got it I know its a 1970 model, and it is like what I had in jr high wood shop... Definitely US made from that vintage. I THINK it was a 15-970 model but dont quote me; I gotta check for sure...
I got it Free about 4 years ago. They still make "some" like this but hard to find; I saw a brand new version same model number and everything at a cabinet shop/woodworking specialty tool store, on a half price sale, it was $1550 retail was (supposedly) $3100.

It has the variable speed dial that definitely works, but at the slowest speed it still seems a lil fast for some metal work. 5/8" capacity chuck. I need to find me a good US MADE drill press vise for it (used is just fine) and also the accessory table crank so I can raise and lower the table height easier....
Works fine but I think the spindle may be slightly bent as the drill bit wobbles...