bench top drill press suggestions

[jakeb]

I am on the search for a decent bench top drill press. I do not want something tiny but I don't want some huge machine either. I was looking at the bench top unit at HF for $200 plus a 20% off coupon...

http://www.harborfreight.com/heavy-duty-16-speed-bench-drill-press-38142.html

I want something with some power as I have used little ones and they really don't work so good....

I am mostly drilling through 1/4 - 1/2" mild steel plate. Maybe notching some tubing.

I am looking around $200 or below.

thanks

 

[Bolster]

I own a mediocre Delta "ShopMaster" that I wish I'd researched beforehand. Mine is very "MEH."

1/2 mild steel will take some heft, so don't scrimp on the motor size.

Taunton's 2008 tool guide had an article where they competitively tested bench top drill presses, and

-- the General International 75-100 was rated Best Overall,

-- the Jet JDP-15M was also rated Best Overall as well as Reader's Choice.

-- The Grizzly G7943 was rated Best Value at Retail $225.

ADVICE: Pay close attention to the size of the "half swing," ie, the distance from chuck center to support column. It is frustrating as heck to have it too short, and not be able to drill something due to that. That HF has less than 7" half-swing.

 

[browntown]

jet stuff always seems to get good reviews but I'm pretty sure it is all made in china.

 

[Keep]

Search the classifieds for older presses. Both of mine I found in the local ads for $60 and less. Much better built then the ones you will find now, and usually a lot cheaper.

Hit owwm.org and check out the classifieds there.

 

[Packard V8]

Spend some time on craigslist. The real deal old Delta, Powermatic, Clausing, Atlas, Walker-Turner, Boice-Crane are what you want.

thnx, jack vines

 

[Jack Olsen]

Also, pay attention to how low the RPMs can be set with the pulleys. For steel, the slower the better.

I used a (very cheap) handheld low-RPM drill from Harbor Freight for my vise mounting. It went through 1" steel plate like it was butter.

 

[IDASHO]

Not all bench tops are created equal.

This is mine, a Shop Fox...

By far one of the largest "bench-top" models Ive ever seen. It weighs nearly 150lbs, and performs like a floor model. And it should, it is the same press, except the post is shorter.

3/4 hp, 5/8 chuck, total swing of 13", and 12 speeds down to 250rpm.



It is a made in China unit, but so far the workmanship seems very, very good.

 

[danc333]

I have also been looking at bench top drill presses. Another thing to keep in mind is spindle stroke. Some of the really cheap ones at HF have stokes less then 2 inches.

 

[Red Green]

If you have the room get a floor model. You will be happier in the long run. You can find a heck of a floor model drill press on Craigslist for $200.

 

[Bolster]

I have also been looking at bench top drill presses. Another thing to keep in mind is spindle stroke. Some of the really cheap ones at HF have stokes less then 2 inches.

Yeah I forgot to mention that. The short 2-1/2 quill stroke on my Delta "ShopMaster" drives me crazy.

 

[IDASHO]

My Shop Fox has a 3.25" stroke

 

[Bolster]

My Shop Fox has a 3.25" stroke

See, now that's a decent stroke. That extra 3/4 inch may not sound like a lot but brother, it is.

 

[JASTECH]

Or what about those with the boom that allows tilting also?

Thanks, JASTECH

 

[hilld]

See, now that's a decent stroke. That extra 3/4 inch may not sound like a lot but brother, it is.

That is what she said as well.

 

[jakeb]

thanks for all the suggestions guys. That shop fox looks pretty nice and the price isn't to bad either at amazon at $250 shipped.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000DD1BE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I posted a WTB on CL and had one reply...so I am waiting to see what brand they have.

I like the idea of a bench top unit Becasue I want to put it on my fab table I am going to build soon. I have a decent amount of space 24x36 but as with everyone it is never enough and I want to be able to use as much space as possible.

 

[Packard V8]

Or what about those with the boom that allows tilting also?

Those are called "Radial Drills" Good big old ones with the gibbed ways, such as the Walker-Turner, are quite rare. Grab one if and when you find it. The smaller models, such as the little 11" round arm Delta, are woodworking tools; not sufficiently stiff for metal.

jack vines

 

[Keep]

Here is my Bench top press, $40 off kijiji. Kid "wanted the old **** gone" I happily complied. Idiot

1940's Beaver

2 weeks later this one came up for $30, same story "no room for the old ****"

1940-1950 Canadian Forge (Buffalo Forge) you can still buy parts for these from Buffalo Forge.

Just keep an eye out, they turn up pretty regularly up here.

 

[spongerich]

I like the idea of a bench top unit Becasue I want to put it on my fab table I am going to build soon. I have a decent amount of space 24x36 but as with everyone it is never enough and I want to be able to use as much space as possible.

You can easily build a table around a floor standing drill press. For those once in a while jobs when you need it, slip the table out. From what I've seen, the older floor standing models only sell for a few more $$ than the benchtop ones and are sturdier and more versatile.

 

[Andy Traxel]

Take a look at http://toolmonger.com/2010/08/20/delta-dp350-drill-press-operation-and-impressions/ for lots of info on a particular Delta unit.

Andy

 

[jakeb]

Has anyone heard of a bestools drill press?

 

[Kenwc]

You'd do well to either look for an old well made used DP like a Delta or Walker Turner, the Buffalo mentioned above OR look for a used Delta DP-350 12". It's a tough little DP and is variable speed with a crank table. I've owned one for long time and at one point I had 3 of them...I've been seeing them on CL all over the country from $60 up to $175. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Stick Figure]

Well i looked around locally for a while and watched some good deals go buy. When i needed to buy one finally no deals on craigslist, and no industrial suppliers were open because it was a weekend. I compared HF's selection to Sears, and ended up w/ the unit mentioned in the first post. I got it for 20% off the $189 sale price at the time. I'm not quite ready to do a full review of it yet because i've only used it on some MDF wood so far. We'll see what happens when i really need it for some steel. Spec wise its not bad 16 speed, and 3 1/8 spindle stroke, and about 6.5" between bit and post. It's rated at 3/4hp and seems fairly powerful, but again i haven't had a chance to really push it yet.

 

[kbs2244]

As said, remember that for metal work you want the slowest RPM.
The bigger the hole the slower.
Some of the industrial metal ones spin at 50 RPM.