Bench top drill press

[ib4classics]

Sears, Harbor Freight, Northern,?
What to look for, what to stay away from.
Thaks

 

[Jim Johnstone]

I vote for none of the above. Find an old used industrial quality press from atlas, buffalo blower and forge, etc etc etc. You'll pay less and get a lot more.

 

[Steve.S]

I'd recommend checking Craigslist or yard sales for an older machine.

I have an 11" Delta benchtop drill press that I inherited from my grandfather. It's a 1953 model and solid as a rock. I've casually looked at newer models but I wouldn't give this one up for anything.

I recently stripped it down and cleaned and lubricated everything, and it works like new. The motor had about 50 years worth of sawdust packed into it, but after a thorough cleaning and resoldering one of the capacitor leads, it works like a charm.

 

[Zeke]

Lots of threads and posts on DP's. Might want to check the tools forum.

 

[Galaxie]

As with anything what are you going to do with it? I got a Craftsman 10" a few years back, only issue I have is the chuck likes t fall out, other than that it works great. Also have an older HF at work and it is completely worthless.

I don't use mine every day or even every week but when I do use it it is usually for a few hours at a time and I need rather precise holes. I also have the laser which is nice once you get it lined up.

 

[Gary S]

Like Galaxy said, how are you planning on using it?

I use mine only occasionally. Mine is a 20 year old Harbor Freight press, and it has given me excellent service for my use.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I have a Skil drill press that the wife bought (free with points earned) me years ago. It has been decent but I did have an issue with the chuck falling off at one point. It'll work for now till I can find a better replacement.

 

[Cryptic1911]

Old = cast iron. New = stamped tin.

make your choice

 

[LutzTD]

Sears, Harbor Freight, Northern,?
What to look for, what to stay away from.
Thaks

I just bought the little HF drill press with the standard chuck key for $39 on sale. I used it to drill a couple hundered step drill holes through 1/8 angle iron and it worked pretty good. I had to tap and chase the bolt and hole holding the table up as the threads were incorrect and wouldnt go together. I would buy it again as it still is way better than a hand drill for $39.

I bought a HF press a couple years ago and the chuck would always fall out, on this one I hit the chuck on the display with a hammer and it was solid, that was the only reason I conceded to buy it.

Depending on your need, its a good once in a while tool. If you plan to drill bigger than a 1/2 diameter hole in steel, wait and get something decent as stated above.

 

[Davefr]

Sears, Harbor Freight, Northern,?
What to look for, what to stay away from.
Thaks

Older bench top drill presses seem to be very common and easy to find. I'd go that route.

Examples
http://portland.craigslist.org/clk/tls/2955637746.html
http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/tls/2962326554.html

 

[dmeadow]

I bought the least expensive HF model years ago. Works fine and has held up well. I only use it occasionally.

My biggest gripe is that it is often too small for what I'm doing. A bigger hole requires a longer bit, then if I use my small drill press vise, there just isn't room for the piece I'm working on. If I had to do it over again I would buy a taller one.

 

[LutzTD]

Older bench top drill presses seem to be very common and easy to find. I'd go that route.

Examples
http://portland.craigslist.org/clk/tls/2955637746.html
http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/tls/2962326554.html

man those are nice, we see nice ones like those very infrequently here in the south, next time im visiting in Ohio I plan to grab some CL deals, but as I siad earlier, the little HF was low cost and works for litttle stuff

 

[kbs2244]

All the current ones spin too fast for metal work.
They are designed for wood.
If you are going to be doing metal plan on a jack shaft mod or a vari sped motor mod.

 

[road]

Some have mentioned the their chuck tends to fall out on the small bench top drill press.

anyone have a fix for this ?

what about heating the chuck race before re installing it on the spindal tap it on with a hammer then let it cool ?

 

[LutzTD]

Some have mentioned the their chuck tends to fall out on the small bench top drill press.

anyone have a fix for this ?

what about heating the chuck race before re installing it on the spindal tap it on with a hammer then let it cool ?

My fix was to give it away, most likely the parts are soft metal, if you really want to keep it maybe drill all the way through both from the side and tap in a small roll pin

 

[Torque1st]

Some have mentioned the their chuck tends to fall out on the small bench top drill press.

anyone have a fix for this ?

what about heating the chuck race before re installing it on the spindal tap it on with a hammer then let it cool ?

Any dirt, grit, or even lint on the taper will cause the chuck to come loose. Clean both surfaces thoroughly.

 

[Falcon67]

My big Craftsman DP has a #2 Morse taper and if you get too aggressive with it you can dislodge the chuck. You have to work at it, but it's possible. When I put on a new chuck, I clean the surfaces on the taper and spindle real good, dry, then insert the chuck. Retract the bit holding fingers below the face of the chuck and drive it home with a 2x4 block and some taps from a 2 lb hammer.

 

[outsider347]

Bought a HF a year ago. should have taken it back..
Gave it away instead
Found a 1942 Walker Turner on CL. Restored it. That machine is a thing of beauty. Love it

Look for something 1960 or older
My 2c

 

[the king crew]

I would suggest something made in the US. Old Craftsman and Rockwell/Delta drill presses come up pretty regularly on Craig's List. One thing is to make sure it is comeplete because parts are hard to come by. A little surface rust can be cleaned up in an hour with some steel wool and WD-40.
Lee

Old Craftsman:

or Rockwell/Delta

 

[2manytoyz]

I have a benchtop Delta drill press at work. Variable speed. Works fairly well, but the switch didn't last long. We replaced the switch, and has been working fine ever since.

At home, I have a Harbor Freight version. It works surprisingly well, though it has a small motor. According to a woodworking magazine years ago, the run out on the chuck is as good as many of the name brands, and even better than some others... so no wobbling when drilling. It's easy to stall the motor if swinging a big bit or hole saw. But if you're using for hobby stuff, can't beat the $39 (on sale) price.

If you do production type of work, get a full sized drill press. A lot more versatile.

 

[RECox286]

As with all things, if you get a 12" there will come a time when you are

into a project and it will undoubtedly need a 16". If, OTOH, you opt for

the 16" there will come a time... And so forth. Go for the biggest, baddest

mother of all DP's you can find. You will pat yourself on the back for it.

Uncle Bob

 

[joshmodelskidoo]

uncle bob doesnt that go with impacts and garages to? i found a tool shop bench top drill press for $30 and it still looks new. seems to work fine so far. i got a brand new one from an auction and it broke twice the first time i used it so i gave it away. i probably should have got a better one though. i would take the advice and get an old made in usa one if i were you and if i didnt already have this cheap one

 

[metalmagpie]

http://tinyisland.com/htbdrillp.txt

 

[akluminus]

I've been looking around for one too, specifically, a bench top model that has enough low speeds for steel work. This is the current contender, and its available locally:

http://www.general.ca/site_general/g_produits/drill_mortiser/75-030.html

 

[kyles974]

Lots of threads and posts on DP's. Might want to check the tools forum.

.....what he said.

....but I bought the $70 (around the $70 one) and have had it for 10 plus years. Has worked great for me, including drilling stainless.

,.....but I think nuying quality drill bits are where it's at

 

[svtdv26]

I have a benchtop Delta drill press at work. Variable speed. Works fairly well, but the switch didn't last long. We replaced the switch, and has been working fine ever since.

At home, I have a Harbor Freight version. It works surprisingly well, though it has a small motor. According to a woodworking magazine years ago, the run out on the chuck is as good as many of the name brands, and even better than some others... so no wobbling when drilling. It's easy to stall the motor if swinging a big bit or hole saw. But if you're using for hobby stuff, can't beat the $39 (on sale) price.

If you do production type of work, get a full sized drill press. A lot more versatile.

Is there any recommendation for a drill press for heavy production, of course a full sized drill press? I was thinking of going with Wen, what will you say?

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