Central Machinery 13" bench top drill press. Model 31842

[bubinga]

are these decent, there is one local to me, I just want something to assign to metal only.
I know the swing is only 13", but id there like a decent delta clone, it may do the job.
Thanks,
1 review on amazon, not so hot
badly packaged, broken box shows up by the garage … styrofoam all over the place.
NO warranty, No instructions, No manual in the box.
this is the sort of thing that is quite popular in landfills across the country as the "why didn't i go with the name i trusted?"
everything is made of low cost and quality cast iron with poorly machined bits.

avoid this one and keep looking … you'll be happier for it.

 

[owenst7]

I have the 12 speed that goes down to 300 rpm. Looks like 38142 goes down to 220. I'd say that's a minimum for metal depending on what you're doing specifically.

My opinion for a drill press for metal fabrication is that anything you can buy new for under $1000 is pretty much the same quality as harbor freight. I'm happy enough with mine considering I had to have a bench top unit. I will own a significantly bigger and heavier duty unit some day when I have the room.

My opinion is that if you're going to spend more than $400-$500, you're probably better off shopping for a low end mill, or a used production machine.

Granted, the market for metalworking machinery is highly dependant on region. I'm in the inland west, so my used market is slim to none.

 

[bubinga]

thanks, I might go look at it, I have to see if he still has it.

 

[bubinga]

He still has it, I go look at it in the AM.
I know it's no walker turner or powermatic, but as long as it's tight, it should meet my needs.
A few had trouble with the pulley on the spindle loosening up, said to be on a taper.
My delta is like that, I had to use a A/C compressor clutch puller to pop it off when I needed to repair and free up the tension cams. probably pretty much a delta clone.

 

[Jawn]

I bought an older version for $60 a couple years ago (mid-90s production, made in Taiwan), I've been happy with it. Chuck on it has a significant amount of runout, but I popped it out and the 2MT taper seems true. I like the range of speeds. Plenty slow enough for 1/2" holes in steel / iron.

Not sure how similar the current model is.

 

[great white tj]

I have the 12 speed drill press, as said b-4 the lowest speed is 300 RPM. I work 1/4" metal most of the time and it has worked fine for me. I start out with smaller bits and work up to the size I need when I am working on 1/4" metal.

 

[Loscaldazar]

There is a youtube video of someone who got the 20in floor drill press (I know, very different from the one you are looking at getting), and found the run out on the spindle to be about 0.001-0.002 (which is very good!). The chuck was horrible (I believe around 0.013-0.020 of run out), but chucks are replaceable. The spindle/taper was good, so I wouldn't have a problem getting one of these machines!

 

[LordPsychon]

With the right bits (read: cobalt) I'd say this looks pretty good to buy and use.

 

[bubinga]

thanks guys.
had to hold off till tomorrow, he had to go to dr. appointment, then it would have been too late today.
Supposed to go tomorrow now.

 

[bubinga]

brought it home today for $50.00
still in the car..........LOL
I need to come up with a stand of some sort.
Pictures will be coming.

 

[Jawn]

brought it home today for $50.00
still in the car..........LOL
I need to come up with a stand of some sort.
Pictures will be coming.

The stand HF sells is wobbly, but stabilizes some if you slap a piece of plywood or something across the top. I used some scrap Corian countertop. But you could build a wooden stand or something, that would be just as good if not better.

 

[bubinga]

The stand HF sells is wobbly, but stabilizes some if you slap a piece of plywood or something across the top. I used some scrap Corian countertop. But you could build a wooden stand or something, that would be just as good if not better.

Oh, OK, do they just have the one stand?
yeah, I don't know what I'm gonna use yet.
It's still out in the car.
It's taller than most bench top drill presses too.
Maybe I can find something this weekend at the flea market.

 

[bubinga]

brought it home today for $50.00
still in the car..........LOL
I need to come up with a stand of some sort.
Pictures will be coming.

The stand HF sells is wobbly, but stabilizes some if you slap a piece of plywood or something across the top. I used some scrap Corian countertop. But you could build a wooden stand or something, that would be just as good if not better.

Oh, OK, do they just have the one stand?
yeah, I don't know what I'm gonna use yet.
It's still out in the car.
It's taller than most bench top drill presses too.
Maybe I can find something this weekend at the flea market.

was GIVEN the file cabinet at the flea market. beefed up the top a bit with a piece of AL. pop riveted to the File cabinet top.
Note how perfect the front to back distance matches the D/P base.

 

[Jawn]

Sorry I missed your earlier question. But I think you win... storage instead of dead space!

 

[Jawn]

http://www.harborfreight.com/29-inch-heavy-duty-tool-stand-95128.html

That's what I used.

 

[bubinga]

Sorry I missed your earlier question. But I think you win... storage instead of dead space!

i think it will work out well. price was good too!

http://www.harborfreight.com/29-inch-heavy-duty-tool-stand-95128.html
That's what I used.

Yeah, those look nice too, Might get one for something else.
thank You

 

[bubinga]

Picked up a power hacksaw last night, But had to have a buddy stop by and help unload it. So I had him help me hoist the Drill press head up onto the post.
We had taken it apart somewhat at the sellers house.
I am out of control I tell you!
13" HF drill press an easy 2 1/2 hour round trip $50.00, a HF buffer and stand,($30.00) an easy 3 hour round trip, but I got lucky on the ($40.00) hacksaw, only about 20 miles round trip. LOL
Oh, then the ($50.00) Columbian vise, that was only about 40 miles round trip.
Out of control I tell you...............LOL
Well, better get over to Craigs list, see what I can buy today.
Thanks for all the comments and help.
Pictures of the Drill press all set up are up next. Have to see if I just need a start cap, or if I have to swap motors too.
Whats nice about the HF drill press, is it's 12 speed.
has a low RPM of about 270 IIRC.
EDIT
yeah, i was looking at the file cabinet Sunday, thinking" I wonder if l could set the HF drill press on that" opened the drawers, The guy was like, "can you use that, I said Yeah, I think so, he said "Take it out of here" I am tired of dragging it around".

I will have to remember to show you the one my Craftsman 150 sits on. (Dumpster find) It's nice and heavy duty though. Also sort of period correct looking too.