Decent drill press for home garage

[freebo86]

See lots of drill presses for sale on local classifieds but would like to know whats a decent quality one to use for a DIY warrior. I'd be looking at mostly drilling holes in metal, not much wood work.

See the following on the classifieds. I am looking for a 8 or 10" bench top drill. King Canada, Champion, Princess Auto (Harbour Freight equivalent), Mastercraft etc.

Can anyone tell me what I should be looking for?

 

[Rabid Badger]

For metal work get the lowest speed you can. When using hole saws on sheet metal I've needed speeds lower than 100 rpm.

 

[freebo86]

For metal work get the lowest speed you can. When using hole saws on sheet metal I've needed speeds lower than 100 rpm.

Thanks. Does the chuck size matter as much? 1/2 vs. 5/8s?

 

[lilredex]

Look for an older one. Those yellow handles are from the eighties.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=7974008#post7974008


If you are looking at those newer ones like at PAL, examine the spindle drive system to be sure it is a splined drive.......some are just a set screw.

Half inch chuck has been good enough for me.

 

[bobcatdan]

I would recommend a minimum of a 12" drill press. I had a small delta drill press which was an ok unit. What I hated about it was if I was to drill a smaller hole, I had to move the table up to reach. If I wanted to drill a larger hole, I had to move down to get the bit in. I looked for a long time to find a nice 12" bench top, but finally gave up. I ended up buying a Bailegh 15" benchtop and so far pretty happy with it. I'm not pushing the baileigh, just saying bigger is better.

 

[pstemari]

I'm half tempted to suggest a Servo, but that's not a DIY machine, even though it's the specified form factor. I picked one up from eBay and it's a beautiful little machine.

Personally I'd suggest a floor model if at all possible. Bench units eat too much space. I've got an old Craftsman that serves me reasonably well, although the lowest speed is 600 RPM.

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[anndel]

For my small garage sop I have a cheapo Wen 4212. If I have larger stuff to drill the I go to my mom's house where I use my dad's 1960s Delta.

 

[freebo86]

I'm half tempted to suggest a Servo, but that's not a DIY machine, even though it's the specified form factor. I picked one up from eBay and it's a beautiful little machine.

Personally I'd suggest a floor model if at all possible. Bench units eat too much space. I've got an old Craftsman that serves me reasonably well, although the lowest speed is 600 RPM.

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Floor space is huge real estate in my garage and it comes very limited. The reason I wanted the bench top is to keep my floor space open.

 

[NUTTSGT]

When I was looking, I was searching for an older Cman unit. If something like a Delta showed up at the right price I would have bought that.

Keep an eye out on Govdeals, they list up in Canada too.

 

[crewchief888]

around here craigslist is a bust. mostly HF quality for more than a new delta/grizzly would cost.

I ended up getting an large import bench top from a (somewhat) local supplier, 5/8" chuck 240RPM low speed.

retail price was $250

 

[tool_scrounge]

Look for a used Rockewell Delta (aka Homecraft) 11" drill press. Pretty heavy construction in a small package. It shares a lot of components with the common larger Dp220 14" drill press. If you need to slow it down, swap to a 1140 rpm motor or find a cheap 3 phase motor and add a VFD for variable speed.

Attached is a photo from vintagemachinery.org

 

[dsilver1007]

Look for a used Rockewell Delta (aka Homecraft) 11" drill press. Pretty heavy construction in a small package. It shares a lot of components with the common larger Dp220 14" drill press. If you need to slow it down, swap to a 1140 rpm motor or find a cheap 3 phase motor and add a VFD for variable speed.

Attached is a photo from vintagemachinery.org

I have the same drill press (mine is much uglier though) and has served me
Well over the years. Paid 80$ at local flea market for it.


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[freebo86]

Here is a few im seeing on fb marketplace.

Champion he's asking $175 (canadian)

King, $150

Princess Auto, $100

 

[lilredex]

Don't be in a rush. A 16 speed (200 Rpm) will turn up for $100 or less. You don't say where you are but I suspect Kijiji country.

Pay attention to my notes above.

 

[Marctrees]

freebo - Location ?

Marc

 

[Marctrees]

Here is a few im seeing on fb marketplace.

Champion he's asking $175 (canadian)

King, $150

Princess Auto, $100

I can't imagine having any one of those or anything close in my shop.

How difficult is it where you are to find like sub 1965 US made ?

Marc

 

[freebo86]

Don't be in a rush. A 16 speed (200 Rpm) will turn up for $100 or less. You don't say where you are but I suspect Kijiji country.

Pay attention to my notes above.

freebo - Location ?

Marc

Yes, kijiji country fellas. East Coast - New Brunswick.

 

[freebo86]

This any good or worthy?



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[The Cobbler]

I have one that's the floor model/ it's fine for what I do. actually thinking of selling it or cutting it down to be a table version.what are they asking?

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

This any good or worthy?



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Good grief that is a duplicate of mine even the vice is similar. I bought mine at Canadian Tire at last 30 years ago using my CT money. It has served me well since purchase.

 

[freebo86]

I have one that's the floor model/ it's fine for what I do. actually thinking of selling it or cutting it down to be a table version.what are they asking?

~115$ USD


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[dthor68]

around here craigslist is a bust. mostly HF quality for more than a new delta/grizzly would cost.

I ended up getting an large import bench top from a (somewhat) local supplier, 5/8" chuck 240RPM low speed.

retail price was $250

Same for my area. I have never seen a good deal on Craigslist. I was looking for a drill press the other day and ran across a Central Machinery for $200.00, same unit is $150.00 new at Harbor Freight.

 

[freebo86]

Same for my area. I have never seen a good deal on Craigslist. I was looking for a drill press the other day and ran across a Central Machinery for $200.00, same unit is $150.00 new at Harbor Freight.

That’s the type of stuff I’m seeing around here too.. only Canadian variants of HF


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[Davefr]

This any good or worthy?



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There's nothing wrong with Jet or Delta DP's. (especially the earlier ones from Taiwan vs China.). Three pulley setup for a wide speed range, table lift, TEFC motor, easy to get parts, etc.

The chucks can be hit or miss but easy to replace

 

[lilredex]

Have also had one of those Delta (17-901) for about thirty years. They are accurately built but very flimsy in construction, there is a lot of flex in the table.
You can see that I have replaced the chuck. The handles always came loose and had to be fixed. The best rating I could offer is light duty.

Since acquiring that older HF #38142 above, I never use the Delta......the HF is a much better DP in my book.

What ever you do stay away from a Delta #350 Shopmaster........real junk.

 

[PugetDude]

Grizzly offers a good homeowner benchtop drill press. I bought a G1200 (floor version) 30+ years ago and it's still going strong- original belts/motor. They also carry a full line of parts for their older models, too.

 

[bpjr]

Craigslist is a bust where I live too. I looked for a yr for an old quality bench top and nada. Ended up buying a new Northern Tool "Industrial" bench top for about $200. 1/2 hp x 1/2" chuck. A solid (instead of decal) depth gauge with adjustable stops was important to me due to using my smaller drill press without that feature. I've had it maybe 6-7 yrs and it's been fine for my home shop. This one has a laser (which I don't use enough to want another laser) and been discontinued. It appears their Klutch brand may be close. Made in China but a step up compared to the same size HF.

If I was buying today it would be a new variable speed and an attached light...few of the vintage older presses have this and are cost prohibitive if you want to add them.

 

[lilredex]

Here's one, if you were closer.

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-power-tool/...ss/1448196522?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

 

[xman_charl]

bought this grizzly 5 years ago

did not like the cheezy ac motor,
installed 1 1/2 hp dc motor

easy breezy

Charl

 

[freebo86]

Here's one, if you were closer.



https://www.kijiji.ca/v-power-tool/...ss/1448196522?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

There is a similar one not too far from me.. looks like this is a smaller variant?

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-power-tool/...p_ios&utm_medium=social&utm_source=ios_social


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[exmaxima1]

There is a similar one not too far from me.. looks like this is a smaller variant?

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-power-tool/...p_ios&utm_medium=social&utm_source=ios_social


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That's a $50 drill press in the Midwest.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/331346201153828/

 

[lilredex]

Look at post #29 again, it has the center pulley, that will get you down close to 200 RPM, where you want to be for metal drilling.

 

[Iluvbeer]

I’ve got a craftsman, nothing fancy but works very well and has 8 speeds.

 

[freebo86]

That's a $50 drill press in the Midwest.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/331346201153828/

Just to show you how overpriced it is!

Look at post #29 again, it has the center pulley, that will get you down close to 200 RPM, where you want to be for metal drilling.

Thank for the tip, i will keep an eye out for this

 

[Rick B.]

Been using this WEN for about 5 years now. Laser crosshairs, work light and digital speed adjustment. Works great, no problems.


View media item 95011

 

[bluesboy]

I'm happy with my Porter Cable 15in. About $300 at Lowes. Center pulley gets speed down to about 300rpm. Think about jack shaft reduction setup from Rogue Fabrication Should gget down below 100rpm (maybe like 75rpm).

 

[Marctrees]

freebo If you could find a Canadian made older General... would be great.

But again, maybe for non demanding use overkill for you.


Man, you sure don't have much available there that's not cheap asian.

Marc

 

[lilredex]

freebo If you could find a Canadian made older General... would be great.

But again, maybe for non demanding use overkill for you.


Man, you sure don't have much available there that's not cheap asian.

Marc

The older General is well built, but lacks both the intermediate pulley and a table elevator, in most cases. Took the offshore guys to show them how.

Nothing wrong with the Asian built one.....if you buy the right ones, as outlined above.

http://vintagemachinery.org/mfgindex/detail.aspx?id=363&tab=4&sort=1&th=false&fl=

 

[freebo86]

There is this Rockwell but probably overpriced for what it is considering the ON/OFF switch is broke but that’s an easy fix.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/2114156568713835/


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[Marctrees]

That sure doesn't look like any Rockwell I've ever seen.

Marc