Hf drill press base

mbshop · Aug 1, 2018

Ok, after much deliberation I have decided to get an hf 8in drill press. My needs are minimal and I just need to not drill holes in metal, etc due to my near destruction of my rebuilt wrist.
One thing I'm needing an answer to is the base. Evidently hf no longer has cast iron bases, more like shaped or stamped steel on the smaller presses. So, is this really an issue ? Specially on such a small one. If it is an issue I will get something else. Thanks,

chaosracing · Aug 1, 2018

Walk away from the HF drill press. Trust me. Even the "cast" metal pieces were more like compacted metal than cast. When I worked for a roofing company years ago, my boss told me to go to HF and buy a drill press. Well I did (knowing I should not) and brought it back to the shop. We had to assemble it and followed the directions to a T. Got to the last part where you had to press the chuck onto the shaft. Didi exactly what was in the directions of putting a hunk of 2x4 on the table, put the chuck onto the shaft pull down on the handle to press the chuck onto the shaft.......last sound I heard was the sound of metal snapping, then the table falling onto the cement floor of the shop. Took it back, got the money back, went to Lowes and bought a Delta and let the boss be mad for about 10 minutes when he found out I got a Delta.

You are better off looking on CL for a decent used drill press.

mbshop · Aug 2, 2018

So far, I have found dp prices here inflated. Missed out on a nice craftsman. Thanks,

dogdog · Aug 2, 2018

you can always mounted it to your bench or something... whats the big deal? if you are not going for super precision holes, you''ll be fine... but keep in mind the motor is weak, so don't expect too much without upgrades...

lilredex · Aug 2, 2018

Look for a used one. Those 8" DP are very common and can be had for $25 around here.

I found an early HF #38142 for $40 that needed a motor, which I had. It has sixteen speeds, the lowest is 200 RPM, which I wanted for metal drilling. Really happy with it.

tarbellb · Aug 2, 2018

Are you willing to drive? Budget?

Ive ran a few HF DP over the last few years, they will work, but definitely are not a investment. They all have issues, some worse than others, and will eventually break.

Here is a really nice direct drive, variable speed DP (and router??) in Fresno
https://fresno.craigslist.org/tls/d/17-drill-press-router-shaper/6622618781.html

Nice Delta, last a lifetime-
https://ventura.craigslist.org/tls/d/delta-dpdrill-press/6643020675.html

But after doing a quick search around your area, you are right, prices are definitely inflated. *****.

mbshop · Aug 2, 2018

Saw those but above my pay grade. What about wen drill presses ?

lafester · Aug 2, 2018

Wen is about the best of the low budget power tools I think if you must buy today.
I would keep looking for a used one though.

mbshop · Aug 2, 2018

Thanks all for your input. After I last posted I looked on cl again and surprise, there was a new listing for a 10 in craftsman for 50.00 . A quick call and I made a road trip to Clovis .ca and picked it up. An older model but not sure how old. Just got back. Will start another post on it. Again, thanks all,

bubinga · Aug 3, 2018

lilredex said:
Look for a used one. Those 8" DP are very common and can be had for $25 around here.

I found an early HF #38142 for $40 that needed a motor, which I had. It has sixteen speeds, the lowest is 200 RPM, which I wanted for metal drilling. Really happy with it.

Must be crappy motors.
I paid $50.00 for my 38142 needing A motor.
Great drill press.
just need to get it out of the rain. LOL

lilredex · Aug 4, 2018

Mine came without the motor, seller was clearing out his father's stuff and could not find it.

I installed a 3/4 HP that I had, with a cone pulley, for now. It gives me the low speed that I always use. But to do it right, it needs a motor with an extended 15MM shaft to acomodate those Asian steel step pulleys that all those DP's use, to get all the speeds.

Am looking at junking my Delta DP-350 (pulley issues) as it has that motor, but could be a weakling. The other option is to make a 5/8" X 15MM shaft extension for my presently installed motor. I am leaning towards this solution.

Those are really good drill presses. They are well made, heavy, have a table lift and that really low speed. And, cheap in our cases.

Jay H 237 · Aug 4, 2018

This is a decent small one, I bought one back in Febuary. I wouldn't go an 8" as they don't have much room once you put in a drill bit but this 10" isn't bad at all. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-10-in-Drill-Press-with-Laser-DP103L/205503636

bubinga · Aug 4, 2018

lilredex said:
Mine came without the motor, seller was clearing out his father's stuff and could not find it.

I installed a 3/4 HP that I had, with a cone pulley, for now. It gives me the low speed that I always use. But to do it right, it needs a motor with an extended 15MM shaft to acomodate those Asian steel step pulleys that all those DP's use, to get all the speeds.

Am looking at junking my Delta DP-350 (pulley issues) as it has that motor, but could be a weakling. The other option is to make a 5/8" X 15MM shaft extension for my presently installed motor. I am leaning towards this solution.

Those are really good drill presses. They are well made, heavy, have a table lift and that really low speed. And, cheap in our cases.

Oh, the motor on mine Burned up when the 0P had it.
he just never got around to returning it in time,
starting system actually, it runs if you give it a spin IIRC.
I may try to fix it some day.
But I have lots o motors laying around.

heck, l only have a 1/4 HP on mine,
But with the speed reduction, it has plenty of torque to drill at least 5/8" hole in steel haven't tried larger bit yet.

BlackLS2 · Aug 5, 2018

Yep...best to keep an eye on CL for a better used one. I picked up a cheap Ryobi 121 with the laser, speed change lever, and digital display for $50. The guy had bought a new Craftsman just a bit bigger than the Ryobi. On the way home I started to worry about it being a lemon. Turned out the table would not stay in place very well...worked much better when I reversed the jack screws and levers....the guy had put them in backwards so they did not pinch the collars around the table or table arm, and the elevating rack was way too tight to move.

I also see decent drill presses at yard sales; seems to be one of those tools that gets sold a lot....

Hf drill press base

mbshop

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chaosracing

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mbshop

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dogdog

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lilredex

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tarbellb

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mbshop

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lafester

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mbshop

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bubinga

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lilredex

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Jay H 237

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bubinga

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BlackLS2

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