Drill Presses and Homeowners

[gungatim]

I currently have 3, one large one in my woodshop with a fab'd table and other attachments. was one of the first large tools I ever bought and couldn't imagine woodworking without it. I can put sanding drums on it for sanding curves, repeatable drill shelf pin holes, make mass assemblies, etc.

In the other shop I have a large floor model and another bench top. Anything I can fit on it gets drilled on the press. I have even done light milling with one that has a x-y vise attached. Amazing accuracy, correct speed, and ability to use lube when drilling metal is much more difficult with a hand drill. for very small delicate drilling, I also have a drill press adapter for a dremel I picked up at a yard sale. don't use that much, but good for fixing jewelry, and other delicate tasks.

Do you need one? no, but once you have it, you'll wonder how you got along without one.

 

[Alchymist]

A drill press is a waste of space.





The bench top milling machine is where it is at, for me. I have an imported mill. It is a drill press on steroids. The table beats a drill press table, and you can mill with it. Then again, I am not someone who just eats, sleeps, and poops.

It all depends on what kinds of projects you plan to do. I spent 17 years working in the construction industry, do many trades, and I do my own auto work and hobby stuff. A drill press compliments welders, saw, grinders, etc. The milling machine is even better if you really get into it.

You don't have to have a drill press for most work around the house. My most used tools as a pro were my Milwaukee 28 volt cordless. I did a lot of small jobs, but some big ones as well. You just have to know how to use what you have, and then decide when it is worth having more tools.

I wouldn't call a drill press a waste of space. It can do a lot of stuff a bench top mill can't do. For starters, try drilling a 3" deep hole in a 20 " long piece of stock. Not that the mill isn't handy, I have both, and not sure which one I'd give up first.

I currently have 3, one large one in my woodshop with a fab'd table and other attachments. was one of the first large tools I ever bought and couldn't imagine woodworking without it. I can put sanding drums on it for sanding curves, repeatable drill shelf pin holes, make mass assemblies, etc.

In the other shop I have a large floor model and another bench top. Anything I can fit on it gets drilled on the press. I have even done light milling with one that has a x-y vise attached. Amazing accuracy, correct speed, and ability to use lube when drilling metal is much more difficult with a hand drill. for very small delicate drilling, I also have a drill press adapter for a dremel I picked up at a yard sale. don't use that much, but good for fixing jewelry, and other delicate tasks.

Do you need one? no, but once you have it, you'll wonder how you got along without one.

Dremel is OK, I have one of those also, but for small and accurate drilling, there's this:

 

[uart]

I am in the market for a drill press too, for metal. In the past few months I have found that I really need one. I have been looking at the grizzly presses. They have speeds as slow as 140 on smaller bench units. Anyone have experience with these?

This is the one I am eying:
http://grizzly9-px.rtrk.ca/products/12-Speed-Heavy-Duty-Bench-Top-Drill-Press/G7943

It looks ok to me, but I've never used that brand.

BTW. At the risk of looking like a total noob, what's the purpose of perspex chuck guard I see on new DPs these days. Is it mostly just to shield rotating parts from hair and loose cloths etc, or is it to stop chips etc from getting flung.

 

[Toymeister]

I took a shopsmith, removed the legs and mounted it to a wall as a drill press. I used a 1949 shopsmith (cast iron) but you can use a more modern one as well.

So what does this do for you? You get floor mounted capabilities in a out of the way location, a larger table to work with, a fence, miter gauge. I bought mine for 50.00

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/da/da/a9/dadaa96e62a85d34247276ea96f4bce3.jpg

 

[Squashfest81]

Nice Toymeister, I've seen your pic elsewhere on the interwebs. Always on the lookout for a cheap shopsmith 10er to toss on the wall.

 

[Toymeister]

Nice Toymeister, I've seen your pic elsewhere on the interwebs. Always on the lookout for a cheap shopsmith 10er to toss on the wall.

I have three now. One to sell and one to make into a light duty vertical mill. The key with shopsmiths is to think outside the box.

 

[MFolks]

It's one of the ways to drill a hole(s) straight, in wood or metal. There are aerospace drill blocks,used for this, and a similar set up on the Big Gator V block:

http://www.southern-woodcrafts.com/...-and-accessories/big-gator-v-drill-guide.html

 

[ranger302]

To add to the above comments my drill press was one of the first tools that I added to my shop. I started with a Craftsman 150 benchtop, then got rid of that once I got a large Delta Milwaukee. I wish I never got rid of the smaller one. I use my drill press for everything, sanding, drilling, turning file handles, as a router, you name it. If I had to sell all my tools the drill press will be one of the last to go (well except my mill). A bit of warning the drill press is not the big cost, I have more money in quality drill bits, hole saws and reamers than I have in a great drill press. The same goes for my mill, lathe and surface grinder. If you have never used one you will be surprised in how fast you can punch a hole in something. Oh and get a good vice. Just be safe and try to rescue an American made one.

 

[sberry]

I have a shop and only have a cheap benchtop someone gave me. I rarely use the thing but a drill press is not an obscene cost and every once n a while it comes in handy for just the right thing.
My newest scheme was to rig up a drive for alternator test from it or an old bench grinder. Could make it as an attachment and be able to store it on the shelf.

 

[zeet]

If you already own a tool, you'll never "need" it... You'll simply use it.

 

[Shadowdog500]

The motor on my 30 year old 3/4 hp table top drill press met it's maker earlier this year. I did buy a replacement at sears but took it back the next day after seeing what a POS the new stuff is when compared to the old stuff. I'm still looking for used quality older floor mounted drill press on Craigslist.

I miss it for drilling quick easy holes right where I want them. I have been using my vertičal mill but it is not the same. The drill press seems a lot more convenient for quick stuff.


Chris

 

[abk241]

If you have one you WILL use it.

 

[sberry]

The battery tool has really elevated the ease and safety of hand drilling. Speed too with keyless chucks. For one off work I am done before its set up in the machine most of the time.

 

[Cope]

Good post . I am in the market for a drill press too, for metal. In the past few months I have found that I really need one. I have been looking at the grizzly presses. They have speeds as slow as 140 on smaller bench units. Anyone have experience with these?

This is the one I am eying:
http://grizzly9-px.rtrk.ca/products/12-Speed-Heavy-Duty-Bench-Top-Drill-Press/G7943

Grizzly makes good tools. That one looks pretty nice.

 

[sberry]

Going fast enough isn't much of a problem, slow is good.

 

[Fugio]

I use mine ALL the time. Not only for drilling perfectly straight holes easily and quickly. I also like to put a small wire wheel in there for removing rust from stuff.

 

[Jim C.]

I bought a 1959 Delta 32" radial drill press about 20 years ago for no other reason than the price was right and it seemed like a nice a old machine. I had no specific need for it but I bought it anyway. Looking back it was one of the best machines I ever bought. I use it all the time because I have it. I didn't realize how handy it was until I got it and started using it. I've drilled hundreds of accurate holes with it over the years, and occasionally attach various sized small drum sanders to it. A couple years ago I bought a 1951 Delta 17" drill press with a set of high speed and low speed pulleys. The price was right and it seemed like a nice old machine. I had no specific need for it but I bought it anyway.........See where this is going?

Jim C.

 

[Moose364]

There is no reason for the average person to have one.

If all you do in life is work, eat, sleep and poop, you have no need.

In fact, you need not have a hammer or a screwdriver or a tape measure.

Millions of people are born, live and die without ever touching a drill press.

But this forum is not made up of average people.

Here, the members like to have the ability to make and remake things.

Even when it is sitting unused in a garage or shop for long periods of time, a tool like a drill press has the potential for use.

This gives the owner power.

It's like having a pickup truck in the driveway.

You don't need a pickup for daily life.

You can get around in many other ways.

But it has the potential to allow the owner to haul many things, every day that he has it.

YOU Sir are not from TEXAS.
At 15 y/o I had my first pickup truck, and I do need a pickup truck everyday. matter of fact I have 2 now.
you ever try to pull a Tractor with a Toyota Prius........

 

[azhatchback]

Grizzly makes good tools. That one looks pretty nice.

Right on. Thanks for replying!

 

[OctoMan]

It's hard to drill a stright hole without one especially in larger stock.

 

[whitedogone]

Ok, I know....not harbor freight again....but they have a benchtop one that is rated pretty high and is dirt cheap when on sale. I have one and I use the hell out of it.

 

[afbrian13]

I love mine even though its a cheapy bench top. There are so many times I wnted one for a project before I got it until one day I stopped in the middle of a project and ran to the store. When your used to just drills it will make putting holes in metal a breeze, and repeating holes is so much easier.
The cheap ones have a bit of play to them, but i found center punches work wonders. It keeps the drill from walking when starting holes.
I use mine alot and will buy a nicer one, but I grew up with Dad and Grandpa having drillpresses and hate not having access to one.

 

[beatcad]

my dad has a cool old one that i used often when i was young. when i finally had my own garage i knew i wanted/needed one.
years ago a bought a craftsman benchtop model on sale for "dads & grads" weekend. i think i got it for just under a hunge. it's served me well for years and i use it often.
but i really lust for an older(40s 50s) floor model. one that's built tough as nails.

does the average harry homeowner need one? probably not.
does the average GJ member need one? hell yeah!

 

[Bill Ramsey]

does the average harry homeowner need one? probably not.
does the average GJ member need one? hell yeah!

Oh, beatcad, that is gold.

In Roy Moungovan's Shop Savvy (Popular Science Books, 1988), there's an entire chapter on it's usefulness, titled The Versatile Drill Press. Or, as I would have titled that chapter, The Drill Press...It Ain't Just Useful Fer Punchin' Holes.

 

[ddawg16]

It's one of those tools that once you get it, you wonder why you waited so long.

BTW....a very common use for mine? Helping make Pinewood Derby cars. It's fantastic for chucking the axle nails into so you can polish them.

But one of the best uses? Drilling holes just the right depth.

 

[larry_g]

I probably have a dozen tools to drill a hole in some material. Hand drills, drill presses (4), mills (2), lathes (2), and maybe some others that are not coming to mind now. However I'm not your average homeowner. Spindle speeds from 28 to 20,000 rpm's. drill bits from #80 to ~2". Ya just gotta be prepared to make a hole.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[uart]

Spindle speeds from 28 to 20,000 rpm's.

Not all on the one machine, but that's a pretty impressive speed range Larry. My poor ol' cheapy only goes down to 600 RPM, so kind limited to smaller sizes when drilling steel.

I love mine even though its a cheapy bench top.

Quick question for all the guys like me with only "cheapy benchtop" models. What's its lowest speed and how large a bit can it comfortably turn when drilling plain steel?

 

[jonathan75]

Homeowners, do you get a lot of use out of your drill press? I am trying to find a reason to buy one.

Anyway, I have always gotten by with power drills but am thinking it might nice to be able to drill precision holes quickly and easily when the need arises.

So do you use your drill press much?

I don't use it all the time but when I do need it I am so happy I have one.

 

[JackOfAllTradesRuss]

I have many machine tools, but use my Drill Press more often than any of the other machines. Just my 2 cents worth ! Russ

 

[uart]

I have many machine tools, but use my Drill Press more often than any of the other machines. Just my 2 cents worth ! Russ

Yeah, for me I think the bench grinder just sneaks in ahead. But the DP is a close second.

 

[cheechi]

Spindle speeds from 28 to 20,000 rpm's. drill bits from #80 to ~2".

so you don't have a dremel?

 

[Shadowdog500]

I couldn't be without one any longer so I just replaced the one that I said broke in post 51 with a porter cable 15" floor model from Lowes. It gets excellent reviews and there are several YouTube videos on it. I'm 3/4 through putting it together right now and everything I see is first rate. Heck the machined pulleys are even balanced. I fired it up about 10minutes ago and it runs like a dream, no vibration at all. Going to check the runout in a few minutes, but so far I'm impressed.

Chris

Let's just say I was overkill when aligning the head.

 

[thundermug]

I got a good one on CL for $30. I'm a fabricator, so I use it often.

 

[mcmlvif100]

For me, having a drill press was driven by necessity. Had a project that could not be done by hand. Bought a cheap Chinese model which got the job done but quickly realized that 1) I continued to use it more than I had expected and 2) it was time to upgrade to a slightly larger and more capable model.

Now... get lucky and find a good old one on craigslist, old american steel that'll last another life time... and you'd be added on to the list of people who irritate me and find good deals lol

Did this ^^^ and the result is everything that I need / could want, at least for now. For reference, I have less than $150 in the entire setup. Craftsman bench top drill press was $60 on CL. Craftsman steel cabinet was $25 at Habitat ReStore. Used part of a solid core door for the top -- $5 at the ReStore. Only "expensive" new parts were the 4 casters but they were part of a lot that I bought on clearance from Menards. Took a some time to clean up the drill press and the cabinet, and assemble it but absolutely love having it in my shop.

It has definitely improved the quality of my work and expanded the types of projects that I can do. My only regret -- didn't buy one like this a long time ago.

 

[mcmlvif100]

You'll find yourself using it constantly. Get ready for $$ for hole saws, drum sanders, a good vice and maybe ona these.
http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?cat=1,240,41060&p=63315

Should have included a reference to this ^^^ in my earlier response. Find that I am constantly shopping for deals on better quality and broader variety of "accessories".

Thanks to Tronyadorable for the Lee Valley tip. Have a store near my sister's house. Will have to check out this drill press table and fence next visit.

 

[Outlander]

Should have included a reference to this ^^^ in my earlier response. Find that I am constantly shopping for deals on better quality and broader variety of "accessories".

Thanks to Tronyadorable for the Lee Valley tip. Have a store near my sister's house. Will have to check out this drill press table and fence next visit.

Lee Valley is great, love shopping at Ottawa store. In fact I sometimes offer to go early to visit the in-laws and I sneak out to Lee Valley and Princess Auto

I have a piece of aluminum angle iron I clamp to my table if I need a straight edge.

As for size, occasionally I run into something that does not fit. not enough that I want to swap for a floor model - yet.

Since my garage is unheated, in the winter if I have occasion to use it I find it is slow to start, then again at -10*C, so am I.

This is installed on an old microwave cabinet. Previous owner left it when I bought the cottage.

 

[Jim C.]

For me, having a drill press was driven by necessity. Had a project that could not be done by hand. Bought a cheap Chinese model which got the job done but quickly realized that 1) I continued to use it more than I had expected and 2) it was time to upgrade to a slightly larger and more capable model.



Did this ^^^ and the result is everything that I need / could want, at least for now. For reference, I have less than $150 in the entire setup. Craftsman bench top drill press was $60 on CL. Craftsman steel cabinet was $25 at Habitat ReStore. Used part of a solid core door for the top -- $5 at the ReStore. Only "expensive" new parts were the 4 casters but they were part of a lot that I bought on clearance from Menards. Took a some time to clean up the drill press and the cabinet, and assemble it but absolutely love having it in my shop.

It has definitely improved the quality of my work and expanded the types of projects that I can do. My only regret -- didn't buy one like this a long time ago.

Nice vintage drill press. I like that. But what I'm really impressed with is how clean and tidy your shop is. The shelves aren't overflowing with stuff, the peg boards aren't overloaded.... I also like how you reused an old shop vac for scrap wood storage. Neat uncluttered work surfaces. Your first aid kit is accessible.... Looks good. Even when my shop is cleaned up, it still looks like semi-disorganized chaos.

Jim C.

 

[mcmlvif100]

Nice vintage drill press. I like that. But what I'm really impressed with is how clean and tidy your shop is. The shelves aren't overflowing with stuff, the peg boards aren't overloaded.... I also like how you reused an old shop vac for scrap wood storage. Neat uncluttered work surfaces. Your first aid kit is accessible.... Looks good. Even when my shop is cleaned up, it still looks like semi-disorganized chaos.

Jim C.

Drill press is original and even came with a similar vintage Craftsman mortising attachment and hold down. Motor has what I think is a 1951 date code.

Thanks but it's not that clean now. Took the picture shortly after building the bench and shelves in the background.

 

[rharman]

I bought a used floor model Craftsman about 40 years ago and I can't imagine not having it. I use it all the time for pretty much every project.

8 speeds by changing the belt position on the two pulleys.

It is one of the "go to" tools in my garage.

 

[RedneckWelder]

I love my old Southbend, beat up as it is.

It's not my most used tool, but when it's time to drill some holes in a piece of steel, damn it's nice to have.