Used drill presses??

[slackdaddy1]

Wanting to add an older used floor model drill press to my shop for a while now.
Got around to clearing room and hopped on Craigs list and FB Marketplace,,, They are gone? 6 months ago I would search "Drill press" on either and find a 1/2 dozen with in 30 minutes of me (20736, Maryland),, now nothing.
was there a run on used drill presses??

 

[mv213]

Noticed the same thing looking for a good bench model. Some crappy Chinese 8” 5 speed models that sold new for $100 or so, guys asking $200 for.

 

[slowtwitch73]

I agree. I look at CL tools obsessively, and it's rare that I see anything to get excited about. I am not in the market for a DP, but if I saw one for a song, I would get it. I've seen a few old odd ball USA presses and maybe two beat to **** bench mount Deltas over the past couple years. A few Asian made units.

Time moves on.. the nice old stuff is getting rarer, and younger guys don't mind Asian stuff as much. And old cars/trucks/bicycles that were **** are now collectible, and and and...

I increasingly use Ebay/dealers to get equipment... necessary evil, but they have the goods.

 

[slackdaddy1]

I would not mind an older "non China" Asian drill press. But I am not seeing anything. 6-12 months ago Marketplace and CL were deep in them (US models)

I agree. I look at CL tools obsessively, and it's rare that I see anything to get excited about. I am not in the market for a DP, but if I saw one for a song, I would get it. I've seen a few old odd ball USA presses and maybe two beat to **** bench mount Deltas over the past couple years. A few Asian made units.

Time moves on.. the nice old stuff is getting rarer, and younger guys don't mind Asian stuff as much. And old cars/trucks/bicycles that were **** are now collectible, and and and...

I increasingly use Ebay/dealers to get equipment... necessary evil, but they have the goods.

 

[slowtwitch73]

Yup.. they are rare too.

I had a Taiwanese dp from my dad.. it was a raging pos.

 

[slowtwitch73]

I think too as of late, that covid has a lot of guys puttering in the shop, and wanting dp's. And possibly guys not selling because of quarantine. Maybe the gates will open over the next year.

Having said that. I noticed a lack of machine tools before Covid hit.

 

[superduty1]

I noticed the same thing. Seemed like drill presses used to be a dime a dozen on CL.

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

 

[tarbellb]

Wait till this whole Knife Maker fade dies out


Knife makers are the FansOnly of the bearded population

 

[lafester]

Lots of factors causing the shortage, most have been mentioned already.
Demand is high so any reasonable dp posted is gone before you see it.
Supply is low due to virus, weather, and of course there are only so many out there.

As the weather and vaccine supply improves I'm sure there will be a surge of people cleaning out the unused machines in their garage. Then it will die off again until fall.

 

[shawhite]

It’s my fault I have 2 arbogas and a clausing in my garage. Ever since I joined Garage Journal I feel compelled to buy every American made vise and drill press I come across

 

[isb cornbinder]

I buy and sell many tools. The main reason, I have found, for selling an imported drillpress is it was junk when it was new and it has turned into a real turd.
There are some newer imported Asian drill presses that are built to a much higher standard. You will find them at better tool stores where industrial machinery is sold.
I like drill presses from the 1800s. I have four of them in service. The biggest one is a 22 inch WF and John Barnes and the next smaller is a HOFFER 20 inch.
For me,, the slapping of the flat belts and the feel of the machine is very important. I find it very satisficing to be able to say, "I restored this drillpress, and it works really well."
I built a cabinet for my 12 inch Canedy Otto. I made an "inverted line-shaft" system in the cabinet. This allows for speed changes. A leather flat belt is the final drive.
I like the hunt and find then the restoration. Anyone can put down the plastic and buy a drill press, A restoration or refreshing makes it your own.

 

[toolchaser]

It took me a couple years to snag a decent DP & this was several years ago. Partly I think the demand is higher because they appeal to woodchucks & metal/ fab guys/gals. You got to be ready to roll with cash when they pop up. Good hunting!

 

[slackdaddy1]

What I noticed on CL,, there are no longer "whole" drill presses, but tons of parts,, looks like they are buying them up and parting them out.

I noticed the same thing. Seemed like drill presses used to be a dime a dozen on CL.

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

 

[slackdaddy1]

I'm getting depressed,, on CL - a Lowes rockwell for 650,, it ws 375 new,, a bunch of craftsman with "Rustoleum rebuilds" for 6-800

 

[matt_i]

You should drive over to Cleveland and check out HGR Industrial Surplus. 2 pages of drill presses.

 

[dr_clyde]

You should drive over to Cleveland and check out HGR Industrial Surplus. 2 pages of drill presses.

Agree. Drill presses are everywhere at machine tool dealers. A buddy of mine has a half dozen drills he would like to sell.

Maybe OP needs to broaden his search or get more realistic about budget.

 

[slackdaddy1]

My point was 6-12 months ago, CL and Market place were full of older, heavy drill presses in the 100-200 range, with in an hours drive, now there are none. And this is in the Baltimore Washington corridor.

My budget does not include paying $650 for a "Lowes" 1/2hp drill press that sells for $400 new. Or $800 for an Older Craftsman that was wiped down and painted.

Agree. Drill presses are everywhere at machine tool dealers. A buddy of mine has a half dozen drills he would like to sell.

Maybe OP needs to broaden his search or get more realistic about budget.

 

[slackdaddy1]

Thanks,
a 2 day round trip would make it "Not economical" for me.

Still searching

You should drive over to Cleveland and check out HGR Industrial Surplus. 2 pages of drill presses.

 

[macgee]

In my neck of the woods, its seriously all over the board. Drill presses would be hard to find and prices super high and then all of a sudden there will be a gluttony of vintage drill presses selling cheap.

Covid has done its thing for hobbies and people are investing in tooling. Example, try finding a good sewing machine for cheap. But there's other people who just want the **** gone and you have to be that person to receive your gold.

You can find right now a Taiwan made one from $50-$150 or a Craftsman King Sealey for $175, sometimes a lot cheaper and there's also dudes asking $650.

The average price has definitely gone up for DP, word on the street is that everybody needs one for their new hobby.

Trick is being on it daily and getting it the moment it becomes available. If you're busy and only wanting to pick up on the weekends; well then good luck finding a good one cheap. In my area, those are gone within a a couple of hours. If you want the pleasure of picking it up on your schedule, then your going to either pay dearly for that pleasure or keep having an empty footprint in your shop.

I will say they're respectable people who will honor your place, hold off the other interested parties and wait for you to pick it up but there's so many rampant flakes now a days on CL that its mostly become first come, first serve.

 

[honcho]

Thanks,
a 2 day round trip would make it "Not economical" for me.

Still searching

Time is irreplaceable, but if you truly "need" something rather than just "wanting" something, you'll either spend the money and / or the time to make it happen. Lots of us want things but we want them for unrealistically low prices or in a unrealistically convenient manner. Nothing the matter with that, but just be aware that it may limit your immediate choices.

However, plenty of usable new desktop drill presses available for under $100. Not great but with patience, certainly usable for many tasks. Put one to use until you find the used goliath-sized American iron local bargain you really want.

 

[Augus7us]

I've owned many drill presses. Most of them were taiwan. What I will say is if you buy an industrial model you can get a good drill press.

I have two procut 20" and one jet 20". I've rebuilt the jet from the ground up. Both are taiwan made and both are nice drill presses.

One thing I've noticed is the stuff from the box stores is all plastic. The stuff I have is not. All three of the DP's I mention above weight ~300+lbs a piece.

 

[chenry318]

I lucked into this 14" Delta 220 right after Quarantine started for $80.

It even came with multiple spindles for router bits and mortising attachments.

I have seen a few other similar older USA made ones pop up in the past few months but prices are usually about triple.

I really need to find an MT1 or MT2 spindle for it so I can use some old drill bits from my grandfather (catalog #973 or #975). Any leads would be appreciated.

 

[slackdaddy1]

"want" is a RF-31 Mill/Drill,
"Want/Need in a few months" is a decent 3/4 HP + floor model drill press.
"Need" ,, right this minute is nothing,, so time is on my side.

Last few projects, drilling 3/8 and 1/2" holes by hand with a cordless drill gets old. starting a new project in a month or 2 that will have a lot of holes in 3/16" Angle.

I have a POS Chinese bench top,, makes a good door stop

Time is irreplaceable, but if you truly "need" something rather than just "wanting" something, you'll either spend the money and / or the time to make it happen. Lots of us want things but we want them for unrealistically low prices or in a unrealistically convenient manner. Nothing the matter with that, but just be aware that it may limit your immediate choices.

However, plenty of usable new desktop drill presses available for under $100. Not great but with patience, certainly usable for many tasks. Put one to use until you find the used goliath-sized American iron local bargain you really want.

 

[Maui]

It’s the same here in upstate NY. You used to see vintage Craftsman cast iron drill presses from the 1950s and 1960s on Craigslist regularly, but not any more. The only one I have seen in the last 3 months was the one I sold last week. And I went through it and properly restored it so it is in excellent working condition. Too bad you aren’t closer. I have several old school Craftsman, Delta, Walker Turner, High Speed Hammer, etc. drill presses in excellent running condition. And many of them have the much sought after third pulley.

Maui

 

[slackdaddy1]

I have searches saved on CL and Marketplace,,,I have a month or 2 to find one.

It’s the same here in upstate NY. You used to see vintage Craftsman cast iron drill presses from the 1950s and 1960s on Craigslist regularly, but not any more. The only one I have seen in the last 3 months was the one I sold last week. And I went through it and properly restored it so it is in excellent working condition. Too bad you aren’t closer. I have several old school Craftsman, Delta, Walker Turner, High Speed Hammer, etc. drill presses in excellent running condition. And many of them have the much sought after third pulley.

Maui

 

[ez-duzit]

Agree. Drill presses are everywhere...
OP needs to broaden his search or get more realistic about budget.

This. They are literally everywhere.

If you're in a hurry, your options are fewer. But generally you just have to watch the secondary markets every day and be ready to act immediately when a deal presents itself. If you're a lazy shopper, just buy new.

 

[slackdaddy1]

Well that escalated quickly,,
about an hour after my last post I saw an ad for a Jet JMD-18 Mill/Drill (with steel base, lots of tooling, collets, clamping sets, etc) on FB marketplace for $1000,, the ad was 1 hour old. Messaged the seller, said he had 2 people coming tomorrow (Sat- today) that said they wanted it. I asked "so it is sold?"
He said 1st one with money in my hand buys it.
I was at his place at 8AM loading it up.

 

[lafester]

That sounds like a good deal to me. I got a rf30 a couple years ago and it is very handy to have around. I do have a dp to go with it but really, it is not needed.

 

[slackdaddy1]

I need a drill press and "think" I want a Mill for very light, non precision machining. If I find in a year I don't use it as a mill, I'll sell it at a profit and buy a nice industrial drill press.

That sounds like a good deal to me. I got a rf30 a couple years ago and it is very handy to have around. I do have a dp to go with it but really, it is not needed.

 

[mikeinri]

Wow, that's a pretty good price for the Jet mill, especially if it came with a bunch of tooling.

I've been observing the same thing up here in MA, no more decent presses at low (or even realistic) prices.

Here's a pic of one in CT, I don't know how new it is (or where it was made), anyone know?

Mike

 

[ndnchf]

If you are will to drive across the river to Virginia there are a couple.

https://richmond.craigslist.org/tls/d/richmond-antique-1950-craftsman-100/7288059357.html

https://www.facebook.com/marketplac.../?ref=search&referral_code=marketplace_search

My main drill press is a Walker Turner 900 that I restored a while back. I do have an extra Delta benchtop drill press I don't need. Its needs a little refurb, but its not bad. I picked it a up a few years ago, but never did anything with it. $50 will take it home. I'm in Fredericksburg, VA.

 

[Packard V8]

about an hour after my last post I saw an ad for a Jet JMD-18 Mill/Drill (with steel base, lots of tooling, collets, clamping sets, etc) on FB marketplace for $1000,,

That's a very good price for a bare machine. With the base and tooling you describe, it would sell quickly up here for $1500 - $2000.

We've got one of those which needs sold and some forum members were interested, but we're not so excited about building a shipping crate for it, so I'll have to put some photos on craigslist and git 'er gone.

jack vines

 

[ez-duzit]

...We've got one of those which needs sold and some forum members were interested, but we're not so excited about building a shipping crate for it...

You don't need to build a crate. Just strap it down to a pallet.

 

[isb cornbinder]

I'm getting depressed,, on CL - a Lowes rockwell for 650,, it ws 375 new,, a bunch of craftsman with "Rustoleum rebuilds" for 6-800

Asking price means nothing. What you are willing to pay determines the selling price. If you find that "must-have" you may have to use some team-work. Get a trusted friend to go ahead of you and make a low-ball offer. This may help you get what you want for your price. I know this has worked for me.

 

[ez-duzit]

...If you find that "must-have" you may have to use some team-work. Get a trusted friend to go ahead of you and make a low-ball offer. This may help you get what you want for your price. I know this has worked for me.

Curious how low a person would go to do such a thing.

 

[isb cornbinder]

Maybe 50%, if you are lucky. Either party can say no and walk away.
Buy and sell on CL is a contest of minds. If you want to pay too much because of some reason, do it.
The final selling price is because of any number of events.

 

[slowtwitch73]

Wow, that's a pretty good price for the Jet mill, especially if it came with a bunch of tooling.

I've been observing the same thing up here in MA, no more decent presses at low (or even realistic) prices.

Here's a pic of one in CT, I don't know how new it is (or where it was made), anyone know?

Mike

Taiwan

 

[mikeinri]

Taiwan

Thanks. I know that's a relatively modern unit, is it considered old enough to still be a good one?

Mike

 

[slowtwitch73]

I wouldn't fuss with it, but to each his own.

There's a fair bit of irrational exuberance about anything that says Craftsman imo. Some of it is good, much of it is not.

 

[mikeinri]

Thanks. It's one of the few for sale around here. The guy says he's "FIRM" at $200, which won't get a response from me. 1 HP and 5/8 chuck seems like it means business, though.

Mike