Best shop drill press?

[JFoshee]

Just wondering about your thoughts on a good shop drill press. I would prefer a 2 speed and auto feed would be nice, but not necessary. I'm not sure what table size I need for general shop work or H.P requirements. I want a 110v or 220v no 3 ph. I may eventually put an x-y adjustable table on it. Also I'd like to keep it in the 1000$ range. I'm sure I can't buy this new but in your opinion what should I be looking for?

 

[Jared]

for 1000 you could just buy a used bridgeport milling machine.

 

[rsanter]

I have a JET drill press that has served me well
I also have a Bport mill that is the king of drill presses.
you can pick up a work mill and it will be the best drill press you could ever home to find

bob

 

[nissan_crawler]

x2 on the jet, I love mine.

 

[OldCarGuy]

A used Delta belt drive will be more than enough for garage use. Here’s a 20" that I purchased for $250.00 two years ago. I replaced the three phase motor with a new single phase motor. Purchased a new 5/8" diameter Jacob’s chuck and made a new down feed handle.

I have two Bridgeports; but they are too cumbersome for regular drilling operations. And recently added a new Radial Arm Drill Press to my drill press arsenal. Purchase price was $1,000 for this used 2004 radial arm drill press. It has a 9" column, 36" arm travel, a # 4 Morse taper spindle, with a 1" diameter chuck. Is all gear driven and has twelve speed and three down-speeds. It was made in Taiwan.

Here’s a video clip drilling an 1 1/ 2" diameter hole in steel without a pilot hole.